Day 2: Getting to Chateau de Versailles
We woke up a little early to catch the train to Versailles. We had to take the RER C to get to Versailles, which we later figured we took the train to another wrong exit. Versailles was about 45 mins-1 hour train ride from the central Paris, the train route splits to two ends in Versailles. While we were not sure if we were on the right train, there was another tourist group who was as lost as us. So when we were pointing at the map, figuring out the French map, that tourist group started discussing with us in English. Both of us got off a station thinking it could be walking distance to the Chateau. We later on figured they were French Canadian from Montreal. Thanks god they spoke French, they went to ask one of the locals and the local Parisian said we should take the other train to get back to the Chateau as it was quite far to walk there. Glad to see Canadians when travelling in Europe as they were always so helpful and kind.
We went on a Tuesday, usually Tuesday is a busy day because the Lourve Museum is closed on Tuesdays. It's better to get there early and then purchase entrance Tickets at Entrance A. All Entrance tickets were 25 Euro which included all admissions to the Palace, Garden, Trianon + Marie Antoinette, and the musical shows on Tuesdays.
It wasn't that crowded that day. It was raining pretty bad that day, so we rented a golf cart to tour around this super huge garden.
Golf cart Rental:
It was 30 Euro/hour to rent this golf cart to tour around the garden. Well worth it. Usually you could probably finish everything by 1.5-2 hours. We had to follow the route on the map, or else the golf cart would not move forward. At one point, we went off track by mistake, and we thought the golf cart was down. Then we found out that once the sensor sensed you went off track, the golf cart could only go Reverse.
Travellers' advices for visiting Chateau de Versailles:
- BUY ROUND TRIP TICKETS when you buy train tickets to VERSAILLES, as there would be long line up paying for your tickets when returning back to Paris
- Get there half an hour early(8:30) before it opens at 9am to get entrance tickets
- Entrance and the crowd control are not organized, so make sure you buy tickets online or at ENTRANCE A
- Lining up to buy tickets and lining up to get into the Chateau are TWO separate lineups. Some people who had tickets wasted an hour lining up at the wrong line.
- If the palace is way too packed inside, visit the garden first and then go back to the palace at approximately 3pm.
- Some people suggested to bring sandwiches and picnic at the garden, because buying food in the Chateau has huge lineups too
- NO FOOD in the Chateau, security inspection could lead to long lineups too
- rent a bike/golf cart/ train ride to tour around the garden (walking would be exhausting)
- bring driver license if you want to rent a golf cart or bike
That route sensor is nothing short of genius! It’s a great addition for tour carts, especially those who have problems when renters tend to go off-route and possibly damage the cart in the process. At least now, if someone wants to explore an area that isn’t specifically on route, they’d have to get off and walk, and not disturb other people by asking them to move out of the cart’s way. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteJay | A Plus Carts
Such pretty pictures! Sigh. Versailles is such a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI love all the art exhibitions that have been displayed here, too, http://frenchseams.com/6-gorgeous-art-installations-at-versailles/