BACKGROUND: Four of us (wife, 2 daughters %26amp; myself) will be in Paris in June. Besides Paris, we will be traveling to other parts of Europe by Eurailpass/train. --We have limited number of train days on our Eurailpasses, so we must spend them wisely. QUESTIONS: From what I have read about %26quot;day-trips from Paris,%26quot; Apparently, it is a relatively short, simple train trip from Paris to Versailles (we want to see the %26quot;CHATEAU%26quot;). Is this true? What is the cost, in Euros, for a one-way trip by train or metro?---How long is the trip? If it is a short trip, I assume, it would be foolish to use one of our Eurail trip days to get to Versallies from Paris---correct? ---Then again, we will be there in June, should we be concerned about train reservations? ---Or, can one even get train resevations for such a short %26quot;local%26quot; trip? ---I am considering hiring a tour guide once we arrive at the CHATEAU---do we need reservation for such a tour? What is the cost, in Euros, for such a tour? Are there days-of-the-week that are better than other to visit the CHATEAU (i.e., to avoid long lines)? How early should we arrive at the CHATEAU (to avoid long lines)? Once we arrive, are there less expensive places to eat--or should w pack a lunch? Are there any helpful hints, about this a day-trip, that I should know about? ----Are there any other short day-trips from Paris (by train) that I should strongly consider? Respnses to these questions would be most appreciated. ---Jaes.
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There are many threads on this forum on %26quot;getting to Versailles%26quot;
Others will answer better than I do, but here is a few tips :
- You cannot use your %26quot;Eurail pass%26quot; to get to Versailles, which is a joint brand name of European railroads, but the Paris region train system, the RER, which has stations in and around Paris. The RER station serving the château is Versailles Rive Gauche- Château de Versailles, often simply mentionned as Versailles R.G. on timetables .
- I believe the round trip fare from Paris to Versailles rive Gauche is 5.60 Euros. The trip lasts about 30-40 minutes
- You do not need a guide for Versailles, unless you want to visit the private apartments . To avoid the lines, be there when the chateau opens (see www.chateauversailles.fr/en for schedules) or , better, buy a chateau entrance-train ticket combo, the %26quot;forfait-loisirs%26quot; for Versailles, sold in any RER station.
- the Château closes on mondays (but not the gardens). Thuesdays and weekends are busy, especially sundays afternoons when the fountains are on.
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The forfait loisirs website for Versailles is :
transilien.com/web/…Versailles
www.transilien.com is the overal website for the Paris region mass transit network. It has an English version.
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Thank you so much for the replies. I am just trying to plan a smooth trip (well, as smooth as possible). --I don%26#39;t want 3 angry women (wife %26amp; 2 daughters) on my case. --Any suggestions about food/eating if we spend a day visiting Versailles. I would imagine it is quite expensive with all the trourists. ---Thanks, again. --Jaes.
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I went to the Chateau yesterday, and it was busy. My fault though, as I dawdled leaving Paris and didn%26#39;t arrive until after 10.45..
It is cheap - cost me 5.40 euro return, and took 35 minutes - you cant reserve seats on the train..
While I was waiting in line a member of staff was going up and down the line asking people if they wanted to do a guided tour - it was 30 euro including admission, but I dont think it%26#39;s at all necessary.
%26quot;Passeport%26quot; - admission to the Chateau, Gardens and Marie Antoinettes Estate cost me 20 euro including audio guide.
As for food - there are a number of places to sit and eat, and also places for take-away buguettes and such. I grabbed a snadwich and drink, it cost me 6 euro, and I sat by the canal and ate while I watched people rowing about in the boats you can hire. It was lovely. I imagine though it gets hot in Summer - yesterday was very warm walking about in the sun.
Plan on it taking most of the day - I arrived back in Paris at about 4.40 pm but could have spent longer exploring the grounds..
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