A day trip to Versailles is a great way to experience the grandeur and beauty of Versailles.
A day trip to Versailles is a must for every visit to Paris. This allows you to experience the history and beauty of the gardens and palaces. We took the train to Versailles and spent the day pretending we were royalty. The gardens and palace were built in the 1600s, and they remain a symbol of French luxury. A day at Versailles is filled with wonder and entertainment. We hope you enjoy reading about all the things you can do in Versailles and that you are ready to book a France Tour Package from the USA after you have finished.
Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles was impressive from the moment we saw it. After passing through the large golden gates that enclose the courtyard, we entered the chateau. We walked through the galleries that explained the history and then peered inside the domed chapel, which was anchored by marble columns, stone arches, a Corinthian floor. The rich colors of the furniture and walls in the royal apartments caught our eye.
The main courtyard at Versailles Palace. Photo by Judy Karnia
The Room of Abundance is a great example of opulence in the palace. The gold molding on the walls separates the marble colors from the huge mural that spans across the ceiling. This room was used as a gathering place for evenings and an antechamber to King Louis XIV’s Room of Rare Objects. Over 60,000 works of art are included in the Versailles collection.
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Photo by Judy Karnia of the Room of Abundance at Versailles Palace. Photo by Judy Karnia
The Hall of Mirrors is the most famous of all rooms. On one side, the 240 foot-long Hall of Mirrors is lined with over 350 mirrors. On the opposite side, multiple French doors open to the gardens. Crystal chandeliers reflected in mirrors create a luminous atmosphere under the painted vaulted ceiling. Crystal candelabras are held by golden statues that flank each other. This room was the site of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919. It ended the First World War.
Hall of Mirrors at Versailles Palace. Photo by Judy Karnia
Discover the History of Louis the King on a Daytrip to Versailles
King Louis XIII constructed a hunting lodge west of Paris in 1629. In 1666 a brick chateau was built to replace the lodge. Louis XIV the Sun King expanded the chateau over the next fifty years. These additions included apartments for both the king, and queen. The government and court were moved to the property which housed nearly 10,000 people. In 1684 he replaced the terrace with the Hall of Mirrors, and in 1710 he added the Royal Chapel. The palace was redesigned by King Louis XV to include smaller apartments, which gave the king and the queen more privacy and comfort. In 1789, the Revolution forced royals to leave Vers
ailles and move to Paris. The 2300 rooms today cover nearly 700,000 square foot.
- France, 1682. Louis XIV is at his height of power. Versailles’ court is a haven for young, privileged women. Jeanne Yvette Mas Du Bois, unlike most courtiers, is a woman who loves to learn. Her thirst for knowledge has often brought her father’s brutal wrath. Jeannes uncle, however, encourages her independence by secretly teaching Jeannes fencing in the palace’s labyrinthine cellar.
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Discover the Gardens in a Day Trip To Versailles
When I first visited Versailles, I looked out from the terrace across the Great Lawn and Grand Canal. I felt as if I had entered a painting. The symmetry and variety in the groves of fountains was so beautiful that I could have spent hours just looking at it. The Royal Way stretches from the Latona Fountain up to the Apollo Fountain. There are 13 gardens and groves with fountains of all kinds on either side. At the intersection of the four main paths, fountains that represent the four seasons are located.
From the terrace of Versailles Palace, Latona’s Fountain leads to the Great Lawn. Photo by Judy Karnia
The Water Walk or Infants’ Walk is located in front of the Palace and boasts 14 fountains. Neptune Fountain is a fountain with 99 jets on one end that launch a water show every 15 minutes. The Neptune Fountain is the place to see the last show of the day. You can exit the gate nearby after the show.
The Triumphal Arch Grove at Versailles Gardens. Photo by Judy Karnia
The round Latona Fountain, located in the middle of the Water Walk provided a perfect backdrop for photos. The Grand Canal was beyond the fountain. The fountains were scattered throughout the gardens and groves.
Fountain Shows
Visit on days when there are music and fountain shows. Certain fountains are only on display for a short time. You can use the map to see two routes, as well as times. We felt like we were at a royal garden celebration with the classical music that was wafting from the fountains.
Engineers designed a system for moving pressurized water into the fountains during the creation of the garden. At that time, over 45km of pipe were laid beneath the gardens. At one time the fountains had over 2000 water jets. However, only about a quarter remain.
Modern technology has been used to update a few fountains. At the Mirror Pool, multiple jets are timed to open and close in response to a seven-minute piece music. The Mirror Pool is a great place to relax and enjoy the water dancing.
Fountain Show at Mirror Pool, Versailles Gardens. Photo by Judy Karnia
Estate of Trianon
The Trianon is a must-see on any visit to Versailles. The size and elegance make it difficult to believe that the Trianon Palaces were built to give the royal family a place to retreat from the duties of court.
Petit Trianon
Marie-Antoniette’s retreat, the Petit Trianon built in 1760, was soon transformed into a more natural space. She turned the gardens into natural areas that were quite different from formal gardens in the larger palaces. A stroll along the winding paths and small bodies of water is a relaxing way to enjoy trees and flowers. The Belvedere is an octagonal structure that’s perfect for summer parties. A grotto looks out over the small lake. A winding path leads to the Temple of Love. It is reminiscent of an ancient Greek round temple.
Grotto and Belvedere in the gardens of Petit Trianon. Photo by Judy Karnia
We began our tour of the palace on the ground floor, which houses the kitchen and the storage rooms. The rooms of the Petit Trianon are just as lavish as those in the main palace. They feature detailed moldings and lots of gold and marquise. The rooms were smaller and more intimate, with muted pastel colors.
Sitting room in Petit Trianon. Photo by Judy Karnia
Grand Trianon
The Grand Trianon, built in 1687 by Louis XIV for his affair with Marie de Montespan to take place, resembles more the main palace. The rooms are brighter and more spacious due to the large French doors that allow sunlight into the rooms. In 1809, Emperor Napoleon stayed in the palace and renovated it. The majority of the furniture in this palace dates back to his time. The only royal purple furniture I saw was in the garden room.
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The main bedroom features a canopied bed with gold accents behind a low railing. The Peristyle, with its Corinthian columns and chandeliers as big as New York apartments and multiple seating arrangements, connects the two wings of the palace. The breezeway floor is covered in black and white marble, while pink columns frame the formal gardens.
Peristyle in Grand Trianon. Photo by Judy Karnia
Exploring the Estate
Versailles is a massive city, but you can conquer it in one day. Outside the main gardens you can rent bicycles of all types for an hour, including a lock. We rented bikes to get to the Trianon Palaces. We took advantage of the lovely weather to explore the area at our leisure.
The map of the gardens shows you how to get from one fountain to another based on their current status. Snack shops and restaurants offer pleasant breaks. The crepe and ice-cream stand near the Grand Canal is the ideal place to relax on the grass while watching the rowboats maneuver.
Your Day Visit to Versailles
Trains are a convenient way to reach Versailles. From the train station, you can walk half a kilometer to reach the main gates. We peasants are able to visit Versailles for a day and enjoy its palaces and gardens. Visit means an opulent day filled with beauty, fountains, grandeur and opulence. Enjoy the expansive gardens that King Louis designed for the royal court and learn how the royalty lived. Wander with Wonder can help you plan your trip to Versailles, France or Europe.