For all its fame and history, Versailles is often a place where travelers choose to spend a few hours rather than a few days. Vacationers from Paris take the train into town to tour the city’s namesake château or stroll its gardens, only to head back a few hours later. While any amount of time spent in Versailles is worthwhile, many miss out on the full experience. The château alone is so vast that most visitors see only a fraction of what the area has to offer.
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Susie Bostick, an advisor with The Travel Team who specializes in personalized travel for couples and families, recommends treating Versailles as a vacation destination rather than just a day trip.
Why Versailles Should Get Its Own Itinerary
Staying in Versailles is a different kind of French experience than staying in Paris. The town has a refined, village-like feel: peaceful and elegant, with a slower pace than you’d expect from a place this close to a European capital or one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions.
Being in town has certain advantages when it comes to crowd timing. The Château de Versailles gets extremely crowded; most visitors arrive on day trips from Paris, often on the weekend. Travelers who stay nearby can reach the château before the morning rush, plan around quieter midweek days, and break the visit up across multiple mornings instead of trying to see it all at once.
“If you stay in Versailles, especially on a Wednesday or Thursday, the difference in crowds can be night and day compared to weekend rushes. You’ll have space to really take in and enjoy marvels like the Hall of Mirrors,” Susie says. “Even if you’ve been to Versailles before, you’ve probably only seen a small piece of it. Staying nearby is a great way to go back a second or even third time to check out different rooms or explore more of the gardens without feeling rushed.”
Additionally, Versailles is only a 25-minute train ride away from Paris. Travelers who want to spend a day shopping, museum-hopping, or having dinner in Paris can do so easily, then return to a calmer Versailles in the evening.
What to Do in Versailles
The city’s main attraction is the Château de Versailles, the seat of Louis XIV’s court and the most complete example of French royal grandeur still standing. Walking its halls is the closest most travelers will get to experiencing what the French monarchy looked like at its peak.
Inside, the State Apartments lead through gilded chambers and painted ceilings before opening into the Hall of Mirrors, with the Royal Chapel and Royal Opera House nearby. Outside, the gardens designed by André Le Nôtre stretch across nearly 2,000 acres of sculpted hedges, tree-lined allées, and more than 50 fountains, with the Grand Canal cutting through the center. Beyond the main gardens, the Trianon estate holds the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet.
Travelers staying at the Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace can step right out of the hotel and into everything Versailles has to offer. The property sits at the edge of the Parc de Versailles, adjoining the entrance to the Trianon estate, with the gardens, the Hamlet, and the main château only a short walk or bike ride away.
Things to Do in Versailles Besides the Palace
Outside the palace gates, Versailles has plenty to offer on its own. The city’s markets, antique shops, restaurants, and performance venues are reasons enough to spend time exploring beyond the château.
Notre-Dame Market
Tucked between the cathedral and the surrounding streets, Notre-Dame Market is the kind of place travelers stumble into and end up spending an hour. Indoor and outdoor stalls overflow with fresh produce, French cheeses, pastries, charcuterie, flowers, and other regional specialties, making it a favorite stop for both locals and visitors looking for a taste of everyday life in Versailles.
The Antiquarian Quarter
Versailles has been a hub for antique dealers for centuries, with around 50 shops clustered between the palace and the market square. The selection ranges across silverware, jewelry, antique furniture, Art Deco pieces, classical and contemporary paintings, rare books, engravings, ceramics, and vintage toys. Even browsing the shops feels like wandering through another kind of museum.
The Royal Opera House
Located on the palace grounds, the Royal Opera House hosts staged operas, concert performances, and ballets throughout the year. Catching a performance here is one of the more memorable ways to spend an evening in Versailles, especially in a setting built for the French court.
French Restaurants and Cocktail Bars
Versailles has a deep restaurant scene that runs from classic French bistros to more contemporary spots, plus a strong lineup of cocktail bars. Travelers can spend an entire trip working their way through different neighborhoods without running out of places to try.
Staying at the Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace
The Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace sits right at the edge of the Parc de Versailles, adjoining the entrance to the Trianon estate. The property is made up of two connected hotels: the five-star Trianon Palace, set in the original historic building, and the four-star Pavillon du Trianon next door. Guests staying in either section have full access to all of the property’s amenities, including the spa, dining options, and the grounds.
“It’s one of those hotels where guests realize pretty quickly that they could spend the entire trip on the property and still feel like they got the full Versailles experience,” Susie says.
Some of the property's standout features include:
- Dining: The estate has three on-site restaurants. Gordon Ramsay au Trianon serves Michelin-starred French cuisine, La Véranda offers continental dishes on a terrace overlooking the gardens, and Peacock Alley is the spot for afternoon tea and evening wine.
- Guerlain Spa and Wellness: The Guerlain Spa offers personalized face and body treatments and a hammam with chromotherapy, designed around traditional rituals of exfoliation and relaxation. The heated indoor pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and yoga studio are included with every stay, with treatments available as an add-on service.
- Bicycles from the concierge: Bikes are available to reserve through the concierge and are one of the best ways to explore the Parc de Versailles.
- Pastry masterclasses: Guests can book a private workshop with the hotel’s pastry chef, a hands-on class that turns into one of the more memorable parts of a stay for many travelers.
How Long to Spend in Versailles
Staying three or four nights in Versailles gives tourists enough time to see the palace, spend time wandering the city, pop into Paris, and take advantage of everything hotels like the Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace have to offer.
“This is a great trip for girls’ getaways, mother-daughter trips, or anyone looking for a short escape with a bit of luxury built in,” Susie explains. “It’s also a great option for clients who have already been to Paris and want to experience France from a different angle. You get the history, the culture, and the food, but at a pace that actually lets you enjoy it.”
Ready to Visit Versailles?
Versailles makes for a memorable stay on its own or as part of a larger vacation through France. Susie and the rest of our advisors can help you plan the details, from where to stay to how to spend your days. Reach out to us today to get started!
