DAY TRIP · PALACE OF VERSAILLES
Versailles private tour with driver, departing from Paris
Pick-up at your hotel or home, the drive in a Mercedes, and a chauffeur who waits during your visit before taking you back to Paris or to the airport. The fixed price appears instantly.
Two ways to visit Versailles with a chauffeur
Versailles lies about twenty kilometres south-west of Paris. Depending on your plans, you book a single journey or a chauffeur who stays with you all day.
One-way or return transfer
Go to Versailles and come back whenever you like: book an outward journey, then a return journey at the time of your choice. The palace is already entered as the drop-off in the calculator; just add your pick-up address.
A chauffeur at your disposal during the visit
Choose “Hourly hire” and the number of hours: your chauffeur drops you outside the palace, waits during your visit, then takes you on to lunch, the Trianon estate or another stop. It is the most comfortable option with children, with luggage to keep on board or for visiting several places.
How much does a Versailles trip with a chauffeur cost?
A journey between Paris and Versailles is available from €65 in the E-Class. The exact price depends on your pick-up address and the vehicle: the calculator at the top of this page shows it in seconds, before you book anything. The price is per vehicle, not per person: whether there are four of you in a sedan or seven in the V-Class, you share it.
For hourly hire, the price depends on the number of hours and the vehicle; it is also fixed in advance. If your visit runs beyond the time booked, we tell you the extra cost before carrying on.
A typical day
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 8:15 am | Pick-up at your Paris hotel |
| 9:00 am | Arrival at the palace; visit the State Apartments, the Royal Chapel and the Hall of Mirrors |
| 11:30 am | André Le Nôtre's gardens, fountains, groves and the Grand Canal |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch in the Saint-Louis district or near the park |
| 2:00 pm | The Trianon estate: Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and the Queen's Hamlet |
| 5:00 pm | Return to Paris, or drop-off at Orly or CDG |
Suggested timings, to be adjusted to your ticket booking.
Planning your visit to the palace
A few pointers to make the most of the day. Opening hours vary with the season: always check them on the official Palace of Versailles website before setting off.
Opening days
The palace is closed on Mondays. Tuesdays and weekends are the busiest days. The Trianon estate generally opens in the late morning, so plan it for the afternoon.
Tickets
Book a timed slot in advance on the official website. The “Passport” ticket gives access to the palace, the Trianon estate and, on show days, the Grandes Eaux fountain displays. Tickets are not included in the chauffeur service.
Musical Fountains and Night Fountains shows
The garden fountains are set to music on certain days from April to October. In summer, the Night Fountains Show (Grandes Eaux nocturnes) takes place on Saturday evenings: book a return for the time the show ends, as the service also runs at night.
How much time to allow
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the palace alone, half a day with the gardens, and a full day with the Trianon estate and the Queen's Hamlet.
Not to be missed
- The Hall of Mirrors, the heart of the palace and the setting for the court's great ceremonies.
- The State Apartments of the King and Queen, and the Royal Chapel.
- The formal French gardens designed by André Le Nôtre, with their fountains and groves.
- The Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon, more intimate than the palace.
- The Queen's Hamlet, the village built for Marie Antoinette.
Our commitments, in black and white
The same rules apply to a simple transfer and to a full day, in the E-Class, S-Class or V-Class.
Extend your day trip
Versailles and Giverny
Claude Monet's gardens at Giverny are about 1 hr 15 from Versailles. They open in spring and close in winter: with a chauffeur at your disposal for the day, you can visit both sites without changing transport.
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
20 minutes from Versailles, the château and its terrace overlook the Seine valley, ideal at the end of the day.
Lunch in Versailles
The Saint-Louis district and the streets around the Notre-Dame market have plenty of restaurants; your chauffeur drops you off and collects you at the agreed time.
Finish at the airport
Flying out in the evening? Your chauffeur drops you at Orly or CDG after the visit, luggage included. Orly is 25 to 35 minutes from Versailles. The V-Class takes 7 passengers and their suitcases.
Which vehicle for Versailles?
| Vehicle | Passengers | Luggage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-Class | Up to 4 | Up to 3 suitcases | A couple or a small family |
| S-Class | Up to 4 | Up to 3 suitcases | A special day out or a client you are hosting |
| V-Class | Up to 7 | Up to 7 suitcases | A family or a group, with pushchair and luggage |
Child seat on request: give the children's ages in the comment field when booking.
Private chauffeur or train to Versailles?
The train is cheaper for one person travelling alone. A private chauffeur makes sense for a family or a group, with children or luggage, or to combine Versailles with another stop on the same day.
| Option | Door to door | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Private chauffeur | Yes | Fixed price per vehicle, pick-up at your hotel, waiting possible during your visit |
| RER C | No | To Versailles Château-Rive Gauche, then a walk of about ten minutes |
| Train from Saint-Lazare or Montparnasse | No | To Versailles Rive Droite or Versailles-Chantiers, further from the palace |
What is included
| Included in the price | Not included |
|---|---|
| Journey by Mercedes with chauffeur | Palace entrance tickets |
| Pick-up at your address | Licensed tour guide |
| Waiting for the duration booked (hourly hire) | Meals |
| Chilled water on board | Extra hours beyond the booking |
Book in three steps
- 01Enter your trip
Pick-up, drop-off, date and passengers: the price appears instantly.
- 02Choose your vehicle
E-Class, S-Class or V-Class at the fixed price shown.
- 03Your chauffeur is waiting
Confirmation by e-mail; your chauffeur is on time.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Versailles private tour with driver cost?
A Paris ↔ Versailles journey is available from €65 in the E-Class. The price depends on your address, the vehicle and the option; it appears instantly in the calculator at the top of this page.
Does the chauffeur wait during the visit?
Yes, if you choose hourly hire: your chauffeur stays on site for the duration booked. With a simple transfer, book a return journey at the time of your choice.
How long is the drive between Paris and Versailles?
About 30 to 45 minutes from central Paris, depending on traffic.
Are palace tickets included?
No. Book timed tickets on the official Palace of Versailles website.
Which day should I avoid?
Monday, when the palace is closed. Tuesdays and weekends are the busiest.
How much time should I allow on site?
2 to 3 hours for the palace, a full day with the gardens and the Trianon estate.
Can we combine Versailles and Giverny in one day?
Yes, with full-day hourly hire, in spring and summer, when Monet's gardens are open.
Can you collect us after the Night Fountains Show?
Yes, the service runs 24/7: book your return for the time the show ends.
Do you provide child seats?
Yes, on request: give the children's ages in the comment field when booking.
Can we end the day at the airport?
Yes, your chauffeur can drop you at Orly or CDG after the visit.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes, cancellation is free up to 2 hours before your pick-up time.