Versailles Full-Day Tour with the Estate of Marie-Antoinette

Meet your guide in central Paris and enjoy a short, escorted train ride to Versailles. On arrival, let them take you on a journey in the footsteps of the Kings and Queens of France. During the reign of Louis XIV - the Sun King - Versailles was the place to be and to be seen. Nowadays visitors from all over the world still come to Versailles to marvel at the splendors of this incredible palace. Our friendly local guides will steer you expertly through the crowds, bringing the famous figures who once inhabited this palace back to life.

Marvel at the glittering Hall of Mirrors, and hear the stories of the Kings, Queens and courtiers who played out their lives in this sumptuous setting. You'll learn how the Kings and Queens lived out their lavish lives in public, how they kept the gossiping courtiers under their thumb, and stole Italy’s thunder by making Versailles the artistic center of Europe. Discover a typical day in the life of Marie Antoinette; you’ll quickly understand why she hated the palace so much! Her opulent lifestyle here would ultimately lead to her tragic demise under the French Revolution; she left Versailles in 1789 never to return.

After visiting the royal apartments inside the palace, your guide will lead you through the spectacular gardens, once the setting of balls, parties and elaborate firework displays. On fountain show days you will discover the amazing waterworks, still running today as they did in the times of Kings and Queens. Otherwise, enjoy the beautiful Musical Gardens as you explore with your guide.

We then invite you join us and discover the secret parts of this incredible place. After a break for lunch, spend an afternoon exploring the beautiful hidden treasures tucked away in the expansive gardens. Away from the crowds, see places that only Queens, Kings and their closest friends were allowed access to. King Louis XVI gave a key encrusted with diamonds to his beloved wife Marie Antoinette. It opened the doors to a secret world, far removed from the public life at the palace and accessible to only a few. Follow in her footsteps, through the beautiful English style gardens, into the elegant and charming rooms of her home, furnished today as they were then. You will also peek into her tiny theater, built specially for her so she could perform on stage, to small audiences made up of friends and servants! This stunning theater is often called the hidden jewel of Versailles.

At Trianon Marie Antoinette lived a simple, country life. You will discover her Hamlet, a perfect replica of a Normandy village, complete with thatched cottages and vegetable gardens where, far from the elaborate rituals of the palace, she would play at being a shepherdess surrounded by farm animals.  No visit to Versailles is complete without seeing the beauty of the Petit Trianon and Marie-Antoinette's peaceful hamlet.  For the comfort of your visit we will take the 'Petit Train' to and from the Petit Trianon.