Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site,
the Palace of Versailles was the
residence of three French kings, Louis
XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI, their
courts, and the French government from
1682 to 1789. Your guide will stay with
you throughout the day as you discover
the majesty of the Palace of Versailles
and its most beautiful rooms (guide
commentary will be played through
individual headsets). The supreme symbol
of royal power, admire the sumptuous
decoration, the palace's Baroque
architecture, its works of art, and
period furniture, all created by skilled
craftsmen. After your tour, spend time
exploring the beautiful formal gardens
before enjoying lunch in a restaurant
near the Grand Canal. The second part of
your visit includes an afternoon tour of
the Small and Large Trianons and the
Queen's Hamlet, located in a distant and
peaceful corner of the palace's grounds.
Set off from central Paris at 8:45 a.m.
for a Paris to Versailles tour. Make the
most of the 45-minute journey by luxury
air-conditioned coach and listen to your
guide's introduction to the history of
Versailles.
The Palace of Versailles covers an area
of over 721,000 square feet and has more
than 700 rooms. Follow your guide right
to the front of the line with priority
access to the palace's most beautiful
rooms: the King's Apartments, with seven
elegant salons all dedicated to a
different god, and the Queen's
Apartments, including the Queen's
Bedroom, where Marie Antoinette once
slept. Also, marvel at the majestic
Hall of Mirrors, a large reception room
in which to see and be seen, dreamt up
by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart.
Designed to leave visitors to the Sun
King speechless, this huge hall with
marble and gilded bronze decoration was
somewhere to stroll and meet. It was
also the setting for sumptuous
receptions and royal wedding balls.
After visiting the palace, make the most
of your free time to explore the
gardens: admire the many works of art
(including more than 200 statues),
fountains, ponds, flower beds, and
trees.
After your stroll, enjoy an included
lunch at the "La Petite Venise"
restaurant in a peaceful spot right in
the heart of the palace's grounds, near
the Grand Canal.
Menu restaurant
"La Petite Venise"*
Arugula salad with parmesan
Chicken breast, mashed potatoes with
olive oil
Chocolate fudge cake
Coffee
1/4 bottle of mineral water
1 glass of red wine du Pays de Gard
* Example of menu, subject to
modification
In the afternoon, your guide will take
you on a tour of the royal family's
secondary residences, including the
large Trianon Palace of Versailles, a
palace built for Louis XIV in the
grounds. This pink marble palace is
surrounded by delicate gardens and
pools, making it one of the most elegant
of all the buildings at Versailles. Also
visit the Small Trianon, including Queen
Marie Antoinette's boudoir, and the
fairy-tale setting of the Queen's
Hamlet. Like a small Normandy village,
the Hamlet is home to 12 cottages, a
lake, rivers, and a farm. It was Marie
Antoinette's favorite place; she would
come here with her children and friends
to experience the charm of country life
and to amuse herself.
After visiting the
Hamlet, return to your luxury coach for
your journey back to Paris.
Arrive back in Paris at around 5:45 p.m.
Please note :
- In Winter:
ride the mini train across the gardens
to the Trianon/ In Summer:
walk through the gardens to the Trianon
- Flat shoes are highly recommended
(parquet flooring in the palace's rooms
and cobblestones in the courtyard)
- Strollers are not permitted in the
palace or the two Trianons
- Excursion not recommended for those
with walking difficulties or reduced
mobility: it includes about three hours
of brisk walking
- The
skip-the-line access is subject to the
Versailles Palace procedures: The
Vigipirate plan, the security control or
an unforeseen crowd can slow down the
entrance.
The price
includes :
* Transport to and from Paris by luxury
air-conditioned coach
* Priority access ticket to skip the
line at the Palace of Versailles, the
two Trianons, the Queen's Hamlet, and
the gardens
* Lunch at the "La Petite Venise"
restaurant (drinks included)
* Services of a driver-guide, with
individual headsets
The price
does not include :
* Transfers to and from your
accommodation
Departures:
Meeting point
April 01, 2016 - October 31, 2016Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday except special events
Departure: 8.45 AM