Louvre Museum and Versailles Palace are the two top-most visited attractions in France.
The Louvre Museum, for example, is renowned for its masterpieces, such as the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
On the other hand, Versailles Palace shows the grandeur & extravagant lifestyle of French monarchs.
Both attractions seek millions of annual visitors and provide a different experience, but deciding which to visit can be a tough task.
In this article, we will explore the features of both attractions and give you a detailed comparison of the Louvre and Versailles: Which attraction is better?
Is Versailles or the Louvre better: Our Recommendation
When you can visit the Louvre Museum and the Palace of Versailles together, why choose to visit only one?
You can purchase the combo ticket for just 43 euros and enjoy a hassle-free self-guided tour of both places.
Versailles Palace is perfect for those seeking a grand and historical experience.
There, visitors can see royal apartments with stunning interior decorations, the Hall of Mirrors and landscaped gardens with intricate sculptures and fountains.
The Louvre Museum, on the other hand, provides artistic experience. It hosts some of the world’s best-known artwork.
If you are an art lover or have limited time, you can visit the Louvre Museum. However, if you have enough time to explore French history, then Versailles is the place to be!
Quick Comparison: Louvre vs Versailles
| Feature | Palace of Versailles | Louvre Museum |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Fees | Palace of Versailles timed entry tickets start at just €21 for 18+ years without additional discounts for children. | Louvre Museum timed entry tickets cost €22 for adults aged 18+ years, with an additional booking fee of €3. |
| Known For | The grand palace showcases French royalty and history. It features opulent staterooms, a Hall of Mirrors, and extensive gardens with fountains and sculptures. | World-renowned art museum, for its vast collection spanning ancient civilizations to the 19th century. It hosts iconic artworks like Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. |
| Address | Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France | Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France |
| Location | Versailles, just outside of Paris, France | Central Paris, France |
| Commissioned by | French monarchs Louis XIII & Louis XIV | French kings Philippe Auguste & François I |
| Built-in | 17th century (construction began 1631) | 12th century (originally a royal fortress) |
| Crowds | You can expect a very large crowd as it seeks 15 million annual visitors. | You can expect moderate crowds with 7.5 million annual & 30k daily visitors. |
| Opening Hours | 9 am – 5.30 pm (varies slightly depending on season.) | 9 am – 6 pm (closed on Tuesdays) 1 January, 1 May and 25 December |
| How to Reach | RER C train (Versailles Château Rive Gauche station), bus, taxi | Metro lines 1 & 7 (Palais Royal Musée du Louvre station), buses |
| Last Admission | 30 minutes before closing | 1 hour before closing |
| Time Needed | Allow a full day to explore the palace and gardens. | Allow at least half a day or 2-3 hours. |
| Best Time to Visit | Shoulder seasons (spring & fall) for fewer crowds. | Weekdays, particularly in early mornings or evenings. |
Palace of Versailles or the Louvre Museum: Which tickets are cheaper?
The basic timed entry ticket to Versailles Palace costs €21 for adults aged 18+, and children and students (EU citizens) are admitted free of charge.
However, booking a ticket with access to all the areas, including the gardens, starts at €32.
Similarly, the basic timed entry ticket for the Louvre museum costs €22 for adults aged 18+ years.
However, if you prefer booking a guided tour of the museum, like most visitors, it starts at €67 per person.
The price of tickets for both attractions doesn’t vary much. However, Versailles Palace provides more ticketing options, including guided and combo tour tickets.
How do I save money on tickets?
Irrespective of which attraction you choose, to save money & avoid long ticket lines, make sure to pre-book your tickets online in advance.
By booking online, you can avoid potential price hikes at the entrance due to limited availability and the risk of not getting tickets.
Additionally, there are a variety of discounts, coupons and lower prices available online for certain groups (seniors, children, and students), which can save you additional money.
Want to know more money-saving tips? Check out our detailed guide on tips for visiting the Versailles Palace here.
Louvre or Versailles size: Which one is bigger?
The Versailles Palace itself covers 63,154 square meters (680,000 square feet), while the entire estate, including the gardens, covers 870 hectares (2,150 acres).
The palace has a very large area containing gardens, fountains and other buildings/monuments.
While not as vast as Versailles in terms of total area, the Louvre covers a 72,735 square meters (782,910 square feet) area dedicated to permanent collections alone.
It is the world’s largest museum in terms of exhibition space. So, regarding size, Versailles is again the winner!
What to Expect at the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre Museum: Key Highlights
There are a bunch of things to see at the Versailles Palace, which include:
The State Apartments are a series of lavishly decorated rooms the French royal family once used for official functions and private life.
These apartments have lavish decorations, including hand-painted ceilings, plush furniture and dazzling chandeliers.
The Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces): The Hall of Mirrors is the most famous part of the museum, stretching 73 meters.
It has 17 enormous mirrors reflecting the opposite windows, creating a stunning illusion of endless space and light. It was used for royal ceremonies and celebrations.
The Gardens of Versailles: The Gardens of Versailles are a masterpiece of landscape design. They have manicured lawns decorated with colorful flowerbeds.
The gardens have well-defined routes, various flora, ornate fountains and statues of mythological figures. They also have a retreat for the royal family, the Grand Trianon.
The Royal Chapel: The Royal Chapel was a place of worship for the royal family and court.
It has soaring ceilings with intricate details, richly decorated walls showcasing religious paintings, and stunning stained glass windows that bathe the interior in a warm glow.
Similarly, the Musée du Louvre displays over 500,000 objects, including 35,000 artworks. Some of its most famous masterpieces are:
Mona Lisa: The Mona Lisa is the most famous painting in the Louvre Museum and arguably the world.
This iconic artwork by Leonardo da Vinci shows a woman with an enigmatic smile. Her expressions are still a topic of debate among experts.
Venus de Milo: This statue is an ancient Greek masterpiece believed to depict the goddess Venus, the Roman equivalent of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.
It is made of marble and has been displayed at the Louvre Museum since 1821. It is believed to have been built during the Hellenistic period, or perhaps between 160 and 110 BC.
Liberty Leading the People: This iconic painting by Eugène Delacroix powerfully represents the French Revolution of 1830.
The painting shows a woman personifying liberty leading the charge with a French tricolor flag in her hand. It perfectly depicts the spirit of rebellion and revolution.
Winged Victory of Samothrace: The statue shows a headless statue of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, standing at the prow of a ship with her wings.
Despite the missing head, the Winged Victory is an inspirational statue that conveys the message of victory through sacrifice.
History of the Versailles Palace and Louvre Museum:
The history of the Versailles Museum begins as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII.
Versailles was used as a place to stay when the king went for a hint. It had a small palace.
Driven by a desire for grandeur, his son, Louis XIV, transformed Versailles into a magnificent palace complex.
He builds lavish state apartments, the iconic Hall of Mirrors, and sprawling gardens designed by the landscape architect André Le Nôtre.
Versailles remained the center of French court life until the French Revolution in 1789. The palace was damaged during the revolution.
Later in the 19th and 20th centuries, Versailles underwent restoration and became an attraction dedicated to French history.
Today, Versailles Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting visitors from around the world.
Similarly, the history of the Louvre museum started when King Philip II of France built a fortress on the site, the Louvre Castle.
Later, King Francis I transforms the castle into a royal residence, adding Renaissance architecture and laying the foundation for the Louvre’s art collection.
The palace continued to expand under Louis XIII and Louis XIV. However, Louis XIV eventually moved the royal court to Versailles.
Later in the 18th century, the idea of transforming it into a public museum took root.
In 1793, the Louvre Museum opened its doors to visitors, displaying its vast royal collection and confiscated works of art.
The Louvre continued to grow, acquire new collections, and undergo renovations.
Today, it is the largest museum in the world and tops the list of the world’s most visited art museums.
Is the Louvre older than Versailles?
Yes, the Louvre is older than Versailles.
The Louvre’s history begins in the 12th century as a fortress. In contrast, Versailles Palace was built in the 17th century.
Louvre or Versailles: Which attraction is less crowded?
The Louvre Museum is the world’s most visited museum, attracting over 7.5 million annual visitors. This graph reached 8.9 million visitors in 2023.
Due to the museum’s indoor location, this daily influx of visitors can lead to potentially higher crowds, especially during peak seasons.
On the other hand, Versailles Palace welcomes almost 15 million annual visitors, but due to the large size of the palace, the crowds are quite manageable.
However, both attractions can be very crowded during peak times. So, here are some tips to avoid crowds:
Plan your visit for the off-season: Both attractions see peak crowds during the summer and spring. Consider visiting during the shoulder seasons (autumn or early spring),
Arrive early: Opening times offer a golden opportunity to beat the crowds. Aim to arrive close to the opening time for both locations.
Purchase tickets in advance: Skip the ticket lines by purchasing tickets online beforehand. This will save you valuable time and frustration, especially during peak seasons.
Louvre or Versailles: Which attraction opens early?
Both the Louvre Museum and Versailles Palace offer the chance to beat the crowds with relatively early opening times.
Palace of Versailles Opening Hours:
The Palace of Versailles is open every day from 9 am to 6.30 pm except on Monday.
However, the timings also change, depending on the attraction & time of the year.
| Place | Timing |
|---|---|
| The Palace | 9 am to 6.30 pm (Closed on Mondays.) |
| The Estate of Trianon | 12 pm to 6.30 pm (From July 2 to September 8, early opening at 10 am) |
| The Gardens | Daily, 8 am to 8.30 pm |
| The Park | Daily, 7 am to 8.30 pm |
Please note that Versailles Palace’s opening hours may vary. Check them in advance before planning a visit.
Louvre Museum Opening Hours:
The Louvre Museum opens daily at 9 am. However, the closing time varies between 6 pm and 9 pm depending on the day of the week.
It remains closed on Tuesdays, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday, Thursday, & Saturday | 9 am to 6 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am to 9 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Last Entry | 1 hour before closing |
Contents
Location & Accessibility of the Louvre Museum & Versailles Palace
The Louvre Museum is located in Paris, while the Versailles Palace is located 20 km away from Paris.
Both attractions are located 28 kilometers away from each other.
Louvre Address: Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France
Versailles Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
The Louvre Museum enjoys a prime location in Paris on the right bank of the Seine River.
This central location makes it easily accessible by various means of transport. To reach the museum, visitors can use:
Metro: Several Metro lines stop near the Louvre, including Lines 1, 4, 11, and 14. Depending on your starting location, you can use any of them.
RER: The RER A line stops at Châtelet – Les Halles station.
Buses: Numerous bus lines stop near the Louvre, including lines 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 72, 81, and 95.
Bateaux-bus (riverboats): The Louvre has its own stop on the Seine River network. You can enjoy a riverboat ride to reach the Louvre Museum.
On the other hand, the Palace of Versailles is located southwest of Paris, France, in the Île-de-France region. It’s about 19 kilometers (12 miles) away from the city center.
There are a few ways to reach the palace, which include:
Train: The RER Line C or SNCF trains offer direct service to the Versailles Château – Rive Gauche station, a short walk from the palace entrance.
Organized tours: Many tour companies offer day trips to Versailles from Paris, including transportation and guided tours.
So, overall, the Louvre’s central location offers a walkable or easily reached
public transport experience, while Versailles requires a short train ride away from Paris.
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