Versailles Daytrip -
Tips on Touring this Historic Château
A Château de Versailles daytrip is easily achievable from Paris... you don't even need a tour bus or car to get there...
The historic Château of Versailles is situated in the town by the same name. It's a short ½ hour’s train ride west from Paris. Time saved travelling this short distance can easily be filled touring around the chateau’s extensive interiors and gardens.
Versailles had comparatively humble beginnings as a hunting estate for nobility, which later caught the eye of Louis the XIII. In 1623, a lodge was built on the estate and more land was bought by the king. Louis the XIV turned the lodge into royal residence which included gardens designed by André Le Nôtre.
There were two architects involved in the construction of the château: Jules Hardouin-Mansart and Louis le Vau.
 The palace was later expanded and embellished with no expenses spared. It became renown, both in France and beyond, as THE place for lavish festivities and celebrations. In sharp contrast, under the reign of Louis XVI, the people of Paris suffered from poverty. In 1789, the people's revolution took place, commencing on July 14th with the storming of the Bastille (prison), followed by a march onto Versailles.
Versailles Daytrip Tip: The Château of Versailles and surrounding gardens are vast, so if you are interested in its history, art, landscaping and architecture, etc.,
a guided tour is highly recommended
(takes about 90mins). The tours include the king’s and queen’s drawing rooms, the 73m long Hall of Mirrors – where the signing of the treaty of Versailles took place to end WWI; the 120m Hall of Battles, the Opera house (built for the reception of the marriage between Louis the XIV and Marie-Antoinette).
The gardens cover enormous areas, but they are simple, symmetrical & structured to a grand scale, demonstrating the King's absolute control over his domain. Alleys are formed by trees, palms, manicured shrubs & grass, always using the Château as the focal point. These gardens may disappoint those who expect intricate flower beds. A nice change is the Petit Trianon – Marie Antoinette’s haven, located at the bottom of the estate.
Versailles Daytrip Tip: The château grounds are at their most spectacular when the fountains are in full operation and accompanied by music from the period, unfortunately this can not always be guaranteed but usually occurs in the hour before midday and from 3:30 in the afternoon.
For more information click here for Château de Versaille official website.
More French Châteaux? Read about Loire Valley & other châteaux, here
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