Once you’ve arrived at the palace’s entrance, picking a suitable Palace of Versailles entrance to use can be a little tricky.
The palace has five entrances, each intended for a different type of visitor. One is for guided tours, another is for people with disabilities and so on.
So, even if you reach the palace on time, you might pick up the wrong entrance and miss your timed entry.
This guide will tell you everything about all the entrances to the Palace of Versailles to help you choose the best option.
Where is the Palace of Versailles Located?
The Palace of Versailles is located outside Paris in a suburb called Versailles. It’s situated about 19 kilometers (12 miles) west-southwest of Paris.
Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France
There are five entrances to the Palace of Versailles, located in different directions.
- The Main Entrance
- Entrance A;
- Entrance B;
- Entrance H;
- Guided Tour Entrance
All the entrances are open from 9 am to 6.30 pm and can be accessed via the Palace of Versailles entry ticket.
Palace of Versailles Main Entrance
The main entrance to the palace is located on the left side at the top of the Cour d’Honneur or Court of Honor.
Cour d’Honneur passes through the Courtyard of the Princes, with Entrance A at its left.
All visitors can enter the Palace of Versailles through the Cour d’Honneur.
This entrance has a ticket counter for those who need to book tickets, and it also allows visitors with pre-booked tickets to enter.
This grand entrance also features a security check. After passing through the security check, you can directly enter the Cour d’Honneur courtyard.
You can also admire this space’s grandeur, which is adorned with impressive gilded panels and ornate details.
Tip: Although the palace’s main entrance is accessible to all visitors, we recommend that visitors with pre-booked tickets use Entrance A.
This main entrance can be quite crowded and may increase your waiting time.
Entrance A is particularly reserved for visitors with pre-booked tickets and will be a more convenient option.
Palace of Versailles Entrance A
If you have already purchased your tickets online or are eligible for free entrance, you can directly head to Entrance A.
This entrance is located at the top left-hand side of the Cour d’Honneur (Court of Honor).
Visitors eligible for free admission can visit the Dufour Pavilion (the left side of the Cour d’Honneur).
However, you must reserve a specific time slot online in advance, even for free entry.
Also, make sure to bring valid identification and any documents proving your eligibility for free entry (e.g., proof of age for children under 18 & EU residency for young adults under 26).
Palace of Versailles Entrance BPalace of Versailles Entrance H
Entrance B to the palace is designated specifically for visitors with pre-booked group tours of the Palace of Versailles.
It is located at the top right-hand side of the Cour d’Honneur (Court of Honor).
This entrance typically experiences less crowding than the main entrance and Entrance A.
If you’ve booked a group tour, be sure to check your tour details for confirmation regarding the use of Entrance B.
Palace of Versailles Entrance H
Entrance H at the Palace of Versailles is reserved for people with disabilities and their companions.
This entrance is located on the left side of the Cour d’Honneur (Court of Honor) and features ramps and an elevator for easier access.
The distance between the main entrance (Gate of Honor) and Entrance H is 200 meters (656 feet).
If you have reached the main entrance, you can inform security guards at the main gate about your disability.
The guards and staff will assist you in reaching Entrance H and bypass any queues by escorting you directly to the accessible ramps.
Palace of Versailles Guided Tour Entrance
This entrance at the Palace of Versailles is reserved for visitors who want to take a guided tour.
Visitors who have pre-booked guided tour tickets can use this separate entrance to bypass some of the general admission queues.
This Palace of Versailles entrance is located in the North Ministers Wing, on the right side of the Cour d’Honneur (Court of Honor).
Compared to the potentially 30-minute wait at Entrance A, the guided tour entrance typically sees shorter queues, with wait times averaging around 10-15 minutes.
How do I enter the Palace of Versailles?
You can enter the Palace of Versailles using direct entrance tickets. These entrance tickets cost:
| Visitor’s Age | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket (18 + years) | €32 |
| Child ticket (6 to 17 years) | €10 |
| Student EU Citizens ticket (18 to 25 years with ID) | €10 |
| Infant ticket (5 and younger) | Free |
Contents
FAQs
1. Where do you enter the Palace of Versailles?
Five entrances to the Palace of Versailles are reserved for different kinds of visitors.
The Main Entrance (top left of the Cour d’Honneur)
Entrance A (top left of the Cour d’Honneur for visitors with pre-booked tickets)
Entrance B (top right of the Cour d’Honneur for group tours)
Entrance H (left side of the Cour d’Honneur for people with disabilities and their companions)
Guided Tour Entrance (North Ministers Wing, right-hand side of the Cour d’Honneur for visitors with guided tour tickets)
2. Is it free to enter the Palace of Versailles?
Admission to the Palace of Versailles is not free for most visitors except certain groups, such as children under 18, young adults under 26 from the EU, and others with specific eligibility.
These visitors must still reserve a specific time slot online in advance and bring valid identification and any necessary documents.
3. What is the cost of the entrance of the Palace of Versailles?
The full-access tickets to the Versailles Palace and Gardens cost €32 for adults aged 18 and older.
However, children and students who are EU citizens can enter with discounted tickets that cost just €10. The palace provides free entry to infants under 5 years of age.
4. How strict is Versailles about entry times?
The Palace of Versailles is quite strict about entry times. Visitors must adhere to their reserved time slots, and late arrivals may not be accommodated.
5. Can you enter and exit Versailles?
To manage the flow of visitors and avoid overlaps, the Palace of Versailles has separate and clearly marked entrances and exits, both at the Palace and the Trianon Estate.
Once you exit, re-entry is not typically allowed with the same ticket.
6. What happens if I’m late for Versailles?
If you are late for your reserved time slot, the palace’s administration cannot accept your entry. It is important to arrive on time to ensure you can access the palace.
7. Where is Versailles entrance A?
Entrance A is located at the top left-hand side of the Cour d’Honneur (Court of Honor).
This entrance is specifically reserved for visitors with pre-booked tickets and those eligible for free admission.
8. Does Versailles have a different entrance for guided tours?
Yes, the Palace of Versailles has a separate entrance for guided tours. The Entrance is located in the North Ministers Wing, on the right-hand side of the Cour d’Honneur (Court of Honor).
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