Versailles trip planner

Renowned for its vast royal palace and gardens built by King Louis XIV, Versailles is also one of the wealthiest suburbs of Paris and home to a new cultural notability, such as a thriving artistic and musical scene. Consider taking a guided tour of the Château de Versailles that allows you to bypass the long lines at the public entrance to the palace and the grounds. Born out of the will of a king, the city in the Yvelines department of the Île-de-France region has a symmetrical grid of streets making Versailles a very modern European city by 17th-century standards; in fact, Washington D.C. builders used that style as a model.

A short walk into the town may be a welcome contrast to the hectic, tourist-filled château, with a handful of small, historic churches and local shops lining the main street. Most people do not regard this city for a hopping nightlife, but there is a little concentration of bars and restaurants at the junction of the Rue de la Paroisse and Rue du Maréchal Foch. For shopping other than scavenging for souvenirs, head to Boulevard de La Reine, Rue Chantiers, and Rue Mar Joffre, then head west for a look at an exciting assortment of historic buildings. Explore the family-friendly attractions of Versailles and add them to your vacation plans using our France travel itinerary maker.