Versailles Palace Ticket & Visit Guide: Passport, Timed Entry, Garden Fountains & Paris Transport

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited monuments in France, but a day trip from Paris can go wrong if you pick the wrong ticket, arrive on a Monday, or do not plan around the seasonal garden calendar. This guide helps you choose between the full Passport ticket and the Trianon-only option, understand timed entry requirements, fit the Musical Fountains Show or Musical Gardens into your schedule, and navigate the Paris-to-Versailles transport with the summer 2026 RER C line closure.

Tickets are non-refundable and the Palace requires a timed entry slot for every visitor, including those with free admission. The Palace and the Trianon estate are both closed on Mondays, year-round, so a Monday day trip is not possible. During the high season from April to October, the Gardens become a paid attraction on fountain show days, which changes the value of each ticket type.

What to know first

• The Palace and Trianon estate are closed every Monday, plus December 25, January 1, and May 1. The Park and Gardens remain open on Mondays but you cannot enter the buildings.
• Every visitor must book a timed entry slot online through the official ticketing site. This includes children, EU youth, disabled visitors, and Paris Museum Pass holders who qualify for free admission.
• The standard Passport ticket costs €35 (€32 for EEA residents, €12 reduced for free-admission eligible visitors) and covers the Palace with timed entry, the Trianon estate (Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, the Queen's Hamlet), the Gardens INCLUDING Musical Fountains Show and Musical Gardens days, temporary exhibitions, and free-access areas like the Gallery of Coaches.
• From April 1 to November 1, the Gardens are free on weekdays without fountain events but become paid entry on Musical Fountains Show days (weekends and some Tuesdays) and Musical Gardens days (Tuesday through Friday). The Passport ticket covers garden entry on ALL of these days at no extra cost.
• RER Line C, the most direct Paris-to-Versailles train, will be closed for works from July 15 to August 22, 2026. Use SNCF Lines N or U from Gare Montparnasse (Versailles Chantiers station, 18-minute walk to the Palace) or Line L from Gare Saint-Lazare (Versailles Rive Droite, 17-minute walk). Bus 171 from Pont de Sèvres (Metro Line 9 terminus) is another reliable option.
• Last admission to the Palace is 45 minutes before closing: 17:45 in high season (April through October), 16:45 in low season (November through March). The Trianon estate opens at 12:00 daily.
• Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Buy only from the official online ticket office at billetterie.chateauversailles.fr.

Source: Palace of Versailles official website / EPV

Choose the right ticket for your day

The ticket you need depends on which parts of the estate you want to visit and what day of the week you plan to go.

• Passport ticket — €35 standard, €32 EEA residents, €12 reduced: The best-value all-in-one ticket. Includes the Palace with timed entry, the Trianon estate (Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, Queen's Hamlet), the Gardens including Musical Fountains Show and Musical Gardens days, temporary exhibitions, and free-access sites. This ticket covers everything in one day.
• Estate of Trianon only — €15 standard, €12 reduced: Covers the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, Queen's Hamlet, and their gardens. No Palace access. A practical alternative when Palace time slots are sold out or you arrive after 15:00. The Trianon estate opens at 12:00.
• Musical Fountains Show ticket — €15 full price, €12 reduced: Gardens-only entry on fountain show days (Saturdays, Sundays, and select Tuesdays). Includes the fountain water displays with baroque music. No Palace or Trianon access. Buy this only if you plan to visit the gardens without entering the Palace.
• Musical Gardens ticket — €15 full price, €12 reduced: Gardens-only entry on Musical Gardens days (Tuesday through Friday). Groves open with music but no fountain water displays. No Palace or Trianon access.
• Passport + VR "Light of Liberty" — €42: All Passport access plus a 15-minute virtual reality experience about the American Revolution and skip-the-line Palace entry after the VR session. The standard Passport already includes garden access on fountain days, so the VR experience is what you are paying extra for.

Free admission and reduced rates

Several visitor categories qualify for free entry. Even with free admission, you must still book a timed entry slot online.

Free admission to the Palace and Trianon (timed slot required):

• Visitors under 18, all nationalities
• EU residents under 26
• Disabled visitors and one companion
• French job seekers and recipients of minimum social benefits (proof dated within 6 months)
• French Culture Card holders and one companion
• French school teachers with Pass Education card

Reduced Passport at €12: Free-admission-eligible visitors who want garden access on fountain show days pay the reduced Passport rate instead of buying a separate Gardens ticket. The standard Passport already includes garden access on those days, so this gives you the Palace and Trianon as well for just €12.

Free garden access on fountain show days: Children under 6, Versailles Spectacles Card holders, Société des Amis de Versailles Card holders, and 1 Year in Versailles card holders (SOLO €65/year, DUO €98/year).

First Sunday free (November through March only): On the first Sunday of each month from November to March, the entire estate including the Palace and Trianon is free for all visitors. A timed entry slot is still mandatory for the Palace.

Plan around the garden season calendar

The Versailles Gardens are free on most weekdays from November to March and on non-event weekdays during the high season. The calendar determines which days are free and which require a ticket.

Musical Fountains Show (Les Grandes Eaux Musicales):

• Saturdays and Sundays, April 4 to November 1, 2026
• Tuesdays, May 5 to June 30, 2026
• Fountains run with baroque music from 10:00 to 19:00
• Garden entry on these days is included in the Passport (€35), Passport+VR (€42), or 1 Year in Versailles card. If you do not have a Passport, you need a separate Musical Fountains Show ticket (€15/€12) for garden-only entry.

Musical Gardens (Les Jardins Musicaux):

• Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, April 1 to October 30, 2026
• Groves open with music, no fountain water displays
• Garden entry on these days is included in the Passport. Without a Passport, you need a separate Musical Gardens ticket (€15/€12) for garden-only entry.

Night Fountains Show (Les Grandes Eaux Nocturnes):

• Saturday evenings, June 6 to September 19, 2026, plus special July 14 and August 15 nights
• 20:30 to 23:05, fireworks finale at the Grand Canal
• Separate ticket required: €39 full price, €36 reduced. Not included in any day ticket. Place d'Armes parking is free from 20:00.

Weekdays without fountain shows (November to March, and non-event weekdays April to October): Garden entry is free for everyone. No ticket needed.

Paris Museum Pass at Versailles

The Paris Museum Pass grants free entry to the Palace and Trianon estate, but with specific rules.

• Book a free timed-entry Passport ticket online before your visit. Present your Paris Museum Pass together with the timed-entry ticket at Entrance A.
• The Paris Museum Pass does NOT cover entry to the Gardens on Musical Fountains Show or Musical Gardens days. On those days, you will need a separate gardens ticket (€15/€12) unless you hold a 1 Year in Versailles card or another qualifying pass.
• The pass does not provide skip-the-line access. You enter with your reserved time slot.

How to get to Versailles from Paris

Three train stations serve Versailles, plus a bus option. Your choice depends on your departure point in Paris and whether RER C is running.

• RER Line C to Versailles Château Rive Gauche (10-minute walk): The most direct route from central Paris (Champ de Mars, Invalides, Saint-Michel). Important: RER C will be closed for works from July 15 to August 22, 2026. During this period, use the SNCF alternatives below.
• SNCF Lines N and U from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers (18-minute walk): The best alternative during the RER C summer closure. Frequent trains, then an 18-minute walk along Avenue de Paris to the Palace.
• SNCF Line L from Gare Saint-Lazare to Versailles Rive Droite (17-minute walk): A third option. Walk 17 minutes from the station to the Palace.
• RATP Bus 171 from Pont de Sèvres (Metro Line 9 terminus): Direct bus to the Palace in about 30 minutes without traffic. A reliable backup.
• By car: A13 motorway, exit 5 Versailles Centre. Paid parking at Place d'Armes (24 hours). Park-side vehicle access via Queen's Gate (€12 per vehicle).

Visitor rules and what not to bring

Security and preservation rules are strictly enforced. Knowing them saves time and avoids refused entry.

• No large bags, suitcases, or bulky backpacks inside the Palace. Free left luggage is available at the Palace and Trianon entrances. Do not leave valuables, cash, jewelry, or computers.
• No food or drink inside the Palace rooms. Cafés and restaurants are available in the gardens and estate grounds.
• No flash photography, tripods, or selfie sticks inside the buildings.
• No knives, scissors, or any sharp or blunt objects.
• No animals, even leashed or carried. Guide dogs for disabled visitors are permitted with proof.
• Do not touch artworks or cross visitor barriers.
• Smoking is prohibited everywhere except the Honour Courtyard. All interior areas, the Park, and the Gardens are non-smoking.

Common mistakes

• Arriving on a Monday. The Palace and Trianon are closed every Monday, without exception.
• Assuming free admission means walk-in entry. Every visitor must reserve a timed entry slot online, including children, EU youth, and pass holders who qualify for free admission.
• Showing up on a fountain show day without a ticket. Between April and October, the gardens require a paid ticket on Saturdays, Sundays, and some Tuesdays. The Passport is the best value because it includes garden access on these days plus the Palace and Trianon.
• Relying on RER C between July 15 and August 22, 2026. The line is fully closed during this period. Use SNCF lines N or U from Montparnasse, Line L from Saint-Lazare, or bus 171.
• Arriving too late. With last admission at 17:45 in high season, arriving after 16:30 leaves very little time. Consider the Trianon-only afternoon visit if you cannot arrive earlier.
• Buying from unofficial resellers. Only billetterie.chateauversailles.fr is the official ticket office. Third-party sites often charge above face value.

Which ticket matches your visit

• Full-day visitor who wants to see everything: Buy the Passport at €35. Book an early Palace time slot, visit the Palace first, then walk through the Gardens to the Trianon estate for the afternoon. The gardens are included even on fountain show days.
• Garden-focused visitor on a fountain show day: If you only want the gardens, buy the Musical Fountains Show ticket (€15). If you might also want to see the Palace, the Passport at €35 gives you everything.
• Paris Museum Pass holder: Book your free timed-entry Passport online. If visiting on a garden event day, budget €12–15 for a separate gardens ticket, as the Museum Pass does not cover garden entry on those days.
• Free-admission visitor: Book your free timed entry slot online. If you want garden access on a fountain day, buy the reduced Passport at €12 instead of a separate gardens ticket — this adds the Palace and Trianon for very little extra.
• Afternoon-only or when Palace slots are sold out: Buy the Trianon-only ticket at €15. The estate opens at 12:00 and offers a quieter visit with elegant gardens and the Queen's Hamlet.

What to check before you go

• [ ] Is your visit day a Monday? If so, reschedule — the Palace and Trianon are closed.
• [ ] Have you booked a timed entry slot on billetterie.chateauversailles.fr? This is required for every visitor, including free-admission and Paris Museum Pass holders.
• [ ] If visiting between April and October, check whether your date is a Musical Fountains Show or Musical Gardens day. The Passport already covers these, but if you are not buying a Passport you will need a separate gardens ticket.
• [ ] If traveling between July 15 and August 22, 2026, plan your route with SNCF lines N/U, line L, or bus 171 — RER C will be closed.
• [ ] Buy only from the official ticket office. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
• [ ] Download the free Palace of Versailles app for audio guides, an interactive map, and on-the-day practical information.

Sources

• Palace of Versailles, Official ticketing: https://billetterie.chateauversailles.fr
• Palace of Versailles, Tickets and prices: https://en.chateauversailles.fr/plan-your-visit/tickets-and-prices
• Palace of Versailles, Practical information: https://en.chateauversailles.fr/plan-your-visit/practical-information
• Palace of Versailles, Free admissions and reduced rates: https://en.chateauversailles.fr/plan-your-visit/conditions-free-admission
• Palace of Versailles, Musical Fountains Show and Musical Gardens: https://en.chateauversailles.fr/news/shows/musical-fountains-show-and-musical-gardens
• Palace of Versailles, Rules of visit: https://en.chateauversailles.fr/rules-visit