• - A private and professional English-speaking tour guide
• - Train tickets from Paris to Versailles and back
• - Skip the line tickets to the Palace of Versailles and Gardens
• - An introduction to the Gardens of Versailles
• - Free time to explore the gardens
   

The History of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles and Gardens are a breathtaking product of 17th century France. Originally the hunting grounds of King Louis XIII, his son Louis XIV took over the land and built what the world now knows as Versailles. The palace, or Château de Versailles, contains over 2,000 rooms and 2,000 windows! It is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a protected piece of French history. And while the palace has an incredible exterior, the interior is loaded with exquisite decorations, artwork and furniture. Only when you arrive at the palace is it obvious why seven million people visit every year. 
 

The Hall of Mirrors

The most famous room in the Palace of Versailles is the Hall of Mirrors. Spanning almost 70 yards long and adorned with 357 mirrors, this room pays tribute to the political, economic and artistic successes of France. It is said that the mirrors were used in this room to both protect the walls from smoke and to reflect light. Only a few candles are needed to illuminate the whole room! This is where the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28th, 1919.  

Every room has its own story to tell, and your private guide is thrilled to share as many as possible with you as you make your way throughout the famous palace. With thousands of rooms, knowing what to see in the Palace of Versailles is a challenge. Taking a guided tour is the best way to cover the must-see highlights including the King's State Apartments and Louis XV's daughters' Apartments. 
 

Gardens of Versailles

After touring the palace, explore the enchanting Gardens of Versailles. Copied around the world, the gardens were created with thousands of trees transported in from around France by entire regiments of the French army. The garden’s scale is so enormous, maintaining the meticulous design requires replanting every 100 years. Occupying a total area of almost 2,000 acres, the gardens are a superb example of French-Style formal gardens. 

With 400 sculptures and 1,400 fountains, the gardens are even extraordinary by Louis XIV’s unquestionably royal standards. After a brief introduction, your guide will say “au revoir” and you are free to explore the gardens at your own pace. After you’re finished soaking in the splendor, make your way back to the train station. Head back to Paris with your return train ticket (included in the price of the tour).