This spring, there’s a new tour available at the Palace of Versailles, following the reopening of the Dauphin and the Dauphine’s apartments and Louis XV’s daughters’ apartments on the ground floor of the central section. In addition, the Gallery of Coaches and the Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery are open on weekends – and not forgetting the Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens.
Spring reopenings
© EPV / Thomas Garnier
Reopening of the ground floor apartments
The Dauphin’s apartment, which has been closed to the public for more than 10 years, is opening its doors once more, following a major restoration. The aim of the project was to restore the spaces as closely as possible to how they were following the refurbishment of 1750, led by Ange-Jacques Gabriel for Louis XV’s eldest son, Louis-Ferdinand – Dauphin of France.
Following on from Louis XV’s daughters’ apartments is the Palace Police Room – the perfect setting for displaying a collection of around 20 sculptures left over from the fountains in the former Labyrinth Grove, which were recently presented as part of the King’s Animals exhibition.
Finally, after 20 years, the Captain of the Guard’s Room is being reopened to visitors, who will find it looking as it did following the refurbishment ordered by Louis-Philippe. On display in this apartment are masterpieces illustrating key events and personalities from the reign of Louis XVI.
The Dauphin's apartment restored
© EPV / Thomas Garnier
The Dauphin's apartment restored
© EPV / Thomas Garnier
the king's stables
Located in the King’s Great and Small Stables respectively, the Gallery of Coaches and the Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery are open to visitors every weekend.
Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery © EPV / Thomas Garnier
These sites are free to visit every Saturday and Sunday, from 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm, last admission 5.30 pm.
Free audioguides for the Gallery of Coaches and the Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery are available on the Palace of Versailles app:
The fountain shows
From 1 April to 30 October 2022, enjoy the Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens and the Night Fountains Shows in the gardens and groves, which are opened specially for these events.
Revel in the beauty of the gardens of Versailles, the specially opened groves and the dancing waters of the fountains set to baroque music during the Musical Fountains Shows.
Apollo's chariot © EPV / Thomas Garnier
The full schedule for the Fountain Shows
the royal tennis court
The Royal Tennis Court reopens in April 2022, following its restoration. Guided tours are available to help visitors learn about this room, which turned out to be the birthplace of French democracy, linked to a pivotal event of the Revolution.
The Royal Tennis Court © EPV / Didier Saulnier
To celebrate the restoration of the Royal Tennis Court and the painting by Luc-Olivier Merson based on Jacques-Louis David’s sketches, the Palace of Versailles has recorded a special podcast, telling the story of this historic work.
Visite guidée - Du château des rois au palais de la République
Résidence royale mais aussi palais de la République, découvrez le Château dans ces facettes les plus diverses et parfois les moins connues.
10 €
Réserver
Visite guidée - Du château des rois au palais de la République
Read more10 €
Durée : 1h30
Visite guidée - Du château des rois au palais de la République
Au fil d'un large parcours dans les couloirs et les allées de Versailles, découvrez le Château dans ses facettes les plus diverses et parfois les moins connues. Résidence royale mais aussi palais de la République, musée de l'Histoire de France et lieu de création contemporaine.
Rendez-vous à l’Aile des Ministres Nord.
Visite guidée - Le Serment du Jeu de Paume : de l'esquisse à la salle
Découvrez la salle du jeu de Paume, devenue le lieu mythique des premiers échos et fondements de la République à partir du 20 juin 1789.
10 €
Réserver
Visite guidée - Le Serment du Jeu de Paume : de l'esquisse à la salle
Read more10 €
Durée : 1h30
Visite guidée - Le Serment du Jeu de Paume : de l'esquisse à la salle
Avec accès à la salle du Jeu de Paume
Réservée à un sport largement pratiqué depuis Louis XIII, la salle du Jeu de Paume de Versailles devient le lieu mythique des premiers échos et fondements de la République à partir du 20 juin 1789, quand les députés du Tiers Etat virent y tenir leur réunion. Aménagée en musée depuis 1883, cette salle demeure le symbole du fameux serment que firent les députés "de ne se séparer qu'après avoir donné une Constitution à la France". Le peintre David illustra cet acte fondateur dans un tableau resté inachevé, dont l'esquisse est conservée au château, à l'attique Chimay. Une occasion d'explorer ces rebondissements qui ont marqué l'Histoire.
Rendez-vous à l'Aile des Ministres Nord.
The Royal Tennis Court will be opened specially for visitors to explore at their leisure from 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm on 17 April, 8 May and 5 June (all Sundays), as well as on 26 May and 14 July (both Thursdays).
Visitor information
Visitors are advised to start their tour of the Palace on the ground floor of the central section.
- Visitors who access the Palace via the Dufour Pavilion can, after exiting the pavilion, move directly on to the Dauphine’s apartment, on their left, and take in the Chefs d’Oeuvres Retrouvés (Rediscovered Masterpieces) exhibition, which runs until 5 June 2022.
- The tour continues on to the Dauphin’s apartment – recently restored and open for the first time in more than 10 years.
- After leaving the Dauphin’s apartment, visitors can cross the Lower Gallery to reach Louis XV’s daughters’ apartments, which they can explore at their leisure.
- These apartments lead into the Palace Police Room, where visitors can enjoy a new display.
- The tour of the ground floor culminates in the Captain of the Guards Room and a section of the Queen’s private apartment.
- Once out in the Marble Courtyard, visitors can access the Gabriel Pavilion, from where they can rejoin the standard tour route, comprising the State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors.
- After exploring the Palace, visitors can move into the gardens or, at weekends, to the King’s Stables, where they’ll find the Gallery of Coaches and the Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery.
tickets
Explore the Palace of Versailles with the Palace ticket:
Palace ticket
This ticket gives you access to the Palace.
21 €
Read more
This ticket guarantees access to the palace of Versailles. Book online and enter to the Palace in the half hour following the chosen time.
- the Palace with timed entry;
- the temporary exhibitions in the Palace;
- the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend);
- the Royal Tennis Court;
- the Gardens (from 1 November to 30 March only) - to access the Gardens before 1 November, you need a Passport ticket or a Gardens ticket;
- the Park.
The Passport guarantees access to the Estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and their Gardens).
Tickets can also be purchased on site subject to availability.
Rates
21 €
Buy
- Motor deficiencies
- Hearing impaired
- Mental disabilities
- Visual impairment
If visiting the Palace and gardens on the days of the fountains shows and musical gardens, choose a Passport ticket:
Passport
This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles.
24 €
Read more
This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and the Gardens). Book online and enter to the Palace in the half hour following the chosen time.
It includes :
- the Palace with timed entry;
- the estate of Trianon;
- the temporary exhibitions;
- the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend);
- the Royal Tennis Court;
- the Gardens (until 31 October, single admission during the Musical Gardens or Musical Fountains Show, ticket valid for one entry);
- the Park.
To make the most of the Estate of Versailles, the Gardens are open from 8am, the Estate of Trianon from 12pm, the Gallery of Coaches from 12.30pm.
The gardens close exceptionally at 5.30pm on Saturdays during The Night Fountains Show from June 7th to September 20th, as well as on Saturday May 24th, Monday July 14th, Friday August 15th and October 26th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st.
Audioguides
To make the most of your visit, why not use the audioguides to the Chefs d’Oeuvres Retrouvés (Rediscovered Masterpieces) exhibition and the Mesdames’ apartments? They’re available free on the Palace of Versailles app. New audioguides to the Dauphin’s apartment and the Captain of the Guards Room coming soon.
