Group Travel Discounts

Oct 14

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The Palace of Versailles, the official residence of the kings of France from 1682 to1790, is the most popular tourist destination outside of France. But groups of 30 more more must make arrangements in writing at least four months in advance before visiting.

You won’t be sorry you did. Originally a hunting lodge, built in 1624, by Louis XIII, Louis XIV began expanding the palace in 1664. He used it as a secret refuge for trysts with his mistress and built a fairy tale park around it. By the time the expansion was completed in 1710, it was the largest palace in Europe, housing 20,000 nobles on 2,000 acres of grounds. One of its most famous features, the Hall of Mirrors has just reopened after a undergoing a three-year restoration.

Click here for a panoramic view of the newly restored Hall of Mirrors.A one-day pass to Versailles costs EUR20 for visitors 18 and over during the week, and EUR25 Euro on weekends and holidays. The pass provides access to virtually all of Versailles, including the Queen and King’s State Apartments and the Marie-Antoinette Estate (from April to October). For an additional EUR6, 10 on the weekends, an audio guide is available. If waiting in line isn’t your thing, it’s recommended that you visit on Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday; the Palace is closed on Mondays.

Although the drive from Paris to Versailles is less than an hour long, traveling on the train is an effortless and pleasant way to see the countryside. The station is only an 8-minute walk to the Palace on the Line C of the RER.

For more information on the Chateau de Versailles, visit http://www.chateauversailles.fr/en/index.php.

(Photo via flickr cc)

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