The
world famous Chateau of Versailles, just outside Paris, is simplicity
itself for the independent visitor to get to. Making the trip independently
has many advantages of taking an organised tour - not least to visit
what you want to see in the time you want to spend.
Versailles itself is a day of anyone's time, some people will need
two.
The Chateau is the main draw and perhaps for the majority of visitors
this is the only attraction visited. The town and the grounds of Versailles
deserve a visit too. This walk around the grounds, supplements your
visit to the Chateau and really is an essential part of getting a
full picture of the opulence of Versailles.
The walk, if walked with no stops should take no more than an hour
or less, most people will take a couple of hours. Like all the walks
we concentrate on the logistics, there are masses of guide books and
reference material which will cover the history and background of
the places encountered.
We have a dedicated page to Versailles,
including links to the official web site of the Chateau of Versailles
where you can find current admission prices and opening times. |
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| Versailles
is easy to get to from the centre of Paris, with normally 3 or 4 RER
trains an hour running. There are several stations with the name Versailles
on different lines, the station for the chateau is Versailles - Rive
Gauche. Rive Gauche is the terminus for a branch of RER Line C. This
line runs along the left (south) bank of the River Seine with plenty
of places to pick it up - two key interchanges with the Metro is St
Michel and Invalides. Versailles, Rive Gauche is in Zone 4 of the
Paris transport network. You can buy a seamless ticket from any Metro
station and treat the RER as part of the Metro, just make sure your
tickets is valid from zones 1 to 4. |
Coming
out of the front of the station at Versailles, turn left and then
cross the road at the first opportunity. The way to the Chateau is
well signposted down a turning right.
You will arrive at the Chateau in about 10 minutes in the magnificent
cobbled courtyard.
Its best to sort out your tour of Versailles now, there is a choice
of tours and your visit normally takes at least a couple of hours. |
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The
circuit we are taking around the gardens is a natural one, many visitors
will take it without reference to any walk notes. Do wander off at
tangents, the walk here just ensures you visit the main areas of interest.
The authorities do manage access to the various parts, it is quite
normal for areas to be temporarily closed to visitors and alternative
paths provided.
You are immediately drawn to the view pictured right. The sheer scale
of the landscaping really drives home the opulence of the place.
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The
relatively small formal gardens immediately behind the Chateau with
its terrace from which the above photograph was taken leads you down
the line of the photograph. The Grand Canal catches your eye, it is
this we are heading for. On your left, hidden in the vegetation is
a restaurant and toilets.
On reaching the fountain just before the Grand Canal, (Basin d'Apollon)
head right, around the pond. At this end of the Grand Canal you can
hire rowing boats out. Pass the kiosk that hires the boats and follow
the right bank of the Grand Canal until your way is barred by the
Petit Canal, a branch off the Grand Canal.
Turn right and follow the bank of the Petit Canal to its end. Here
walk up the steps to the Grand Trianon, made of pink marble. The original
contents were removed at the time of the Revolution, much of what
remains is down to Napoleon, his only involvement with Versailles.
From the main gates of Grand Trianon follow the signposts to the Orangerie.
At the Orangerie you are in the grounds of the Petit Trianon. Much
landscape restoration work has gone on in this area in recent times
so you may not have full access to the grounds here. Study a map of
what is available and improvise. The classic route is to make for
the lake, circling it and returning to the Petit Trianon.
The Petit Trianon is as its name suggests is a smaller version of
the Grand Trianon with gardens and interiors. From the front gates
of the Petit Trianon head straight out along the driveway ,keep going
and you will eventually return to your starting point at the Chateau.
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