Versailles: Palace, Gardens & Trianon Day Trip with Lunch

Summary

Skip lines at Versailles Palace wander gardens taste lunch by canal

You’ll skip long lines at Versailles Palace with your local guide, wander grand halls and gardens, enjoy a relaxed three-course lunch by the canal, and explore Marie Antoinette’s hidden hamlet at Trianon. Expect moments of quiet awe mixed with laughter—and maybe a new favorite dessert.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so small walking through the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles—there’s something about all that gold and glass reflecting everyone’s faces, like you’re suddenly part of some centuries-old party. Our guide, Camille (she grew up in Saint-Cyr, just down the road), pointed out little details I would’ve missed—like how the sunlight hits those chandeliers in late morning. I caught a whiff of old wood polish mixed with perfume from someone nearby. It was crowded but strangely hushed, except for a kid somewhere giggling about “so many mirrors.”

The skip-the-line ticket was a lifesaver; we breezed right past a line that looked like it could eat half your day. After wandering through all those state apartments—honestly, I lost track of which king slept where—we stepped out into the Versailles Gardens. You could smell cut grass and hear fountains gurgling over the chatter of tourists. Lunch was at a restaurant near the Grand Canal (I picked the steak with Béarnaise sauce, no regrets). The waiter teased me for my French accent but handed over an extra slice of tart anyway. It was one of those meals where you end up talking longer than you mean to because nobody wants to rush back out.

Later, we walked over to the Trianon estate and Queen’s Hamlet. The air felt different there—quieter, softer somehow. Marie Antoinette’s little village is almost too perfect; Camille said she used to sneak away here just to breathe. There were ducks paddling around a pond and wildflowers poking through fence rails. I tried to picture royalty hiding out in thatched cottages… still not sure I buy it, but it made me smile anyway.

I keep thinking about that moment by the water—the way everything slowed down after all that palace grandeur. If you’re looking for a day trip from Paris that isn’t just ticking boxes but actually lets you feel something real (and eat well), this Versailles tour is worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Versailles palace and gardens tour

• Depart Paris by luxury minibus
• Skip lines and enter Palace of Versailles
• Tour State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors
• Explore Versailles Gardens at leisure
• Enjoy 3-course lunch by Grand Canal
• Visit Petit Trianon and Queen’s Hamlet
• Return to Paris by minibus

Top questions

Is lunch included on this Versailles day trip?

Yes, a 3-course restaurant lunch by the Grand Canal is included.

Does this tour include skip-the-line access?

Yes, you get priority skip-the-line tickets for Versailles Palace entry.

How far is Versailles from Paris?

The town of Versailles is about 25 miles (40km) southwest of central Paris.

Are transport and entrance fees covered?

Yes, air-conditioned minibus transport and all entry fees are included.

What sites are visited on this tour?

You visit Versailles Palace (including Hall of Mirrors), Gardens, Grand & Petit Trianon estates, and Queen’s Hamlet.

Is there free time in the gardens?

Yes, you have time to explore the Versailles Gardens at your own pace before lunch.

Who leads the tour?

A professional local art historian guide leads your group throughout the day.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; departure is from central Paris by minibus.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip transport from central Paris by air-conditioned minibus, skip-the-line entry tickets for all parts of Versailles (the palace itself plus Trianon estates), live guiding from a local art historian who brings stories to life as you go along, and a relaxed three-course lunch served right beside the Grand Canal before heading back in the afternoon.