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Town of Versailles, France | |
| Although Versailles is world-famous because of the magnificent Château de Versailles, the town of Versailles is charming in its own right. | ||
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Booking.com
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Everyone comes to Versailles (map) to see the stupendous Château de Versailles, but few visitors realize that the town of Versailles itself is a good place to visit in its own right, with a comfortable French small-city atmosphere and a simply wonderful market. Now that the Navigo Découverte transit pass includes travel to and from Versailles, you might even consider making a Versailles hotel or apartment your base for your Paris visit. More... Spending the night in Versailles allows you to arrive at the Château bright and early in the morning to beat the crowds, as well as to enjoy this beautiful town and its superb market (Tuesday, Friday & Sunday). Most visitors coming from Paris to Versailles get off the RER line C-5 train at the Versailles-Rive Gauche Château de Versailles station and walk ten minutes to the château (map) to visit this amazing royal palace. (There are other Versailles stations as well. More...) Versailles' Office de Tourisme is midway between the Versailles-Rive Gauche Château de Versailles RER station and the entrance to the château. Here you can pick up a map of the town and learn about the other things to see and do in town. The Office de Tourisme also promotes three Discovery Trails, or walking tours that introduce you to different aspects of this historic town. Trail 1 - Notre DameThis trail visits the Notre Dame district of the town, which was created by Louis XIV. Sites include the wonderful Marché Notre-Dame (market), the municipal theater, or Théâtre Montansier, the King's stables, and the Musée Lambinet, which contains decorative arts and other items from the time of the French Revolution. You can also visit the Église de Notre -Dame de Versailles. Trail 2 - Saint-LouisThis trail focuses on the oldest part of the town. Recommended stops include the King's Potager (vegetable garden,) a 9 hectare (22 acre) garden created to feed the King and his guests. Other points of interest include the small stables and the Salle du Jeu de Paume, the spot where the oath of June 20 1789 marked the start of the French Revolution. Trail 3 - MontreuilThis trail visits a former medieval village that is now part of the town. The Hôtel de Ville, or town hall, is visited on this walk, as are a number of hôtels particuliers, or large town houses, and the neo-Classical church of Saint-Symphorien. Bus ToursBus tours of Versailles are also available, and the Tourist Office can provide information. Hotels & ApartmentsVersailles offers a range of hotels and apartments/flats, from the posh Trianon Palace (part of the Waldorf Astoria collection, located just off the Palace grounds), to the more modest Ibis, plus a variety of hotels in the middle price range. Many are near the Marché Notre-Dame. More... RestaurantsDining in Versailles is a pleasure, in large part because of the many restaurants around the market square, Place du Marché Notre-Dame. With fresh food coming into the market daily, the restaurants are able to offer a variety of menu items to fit all budgets and tastes.
The market area includes the wonderfully named Rue au Pain, or Bread Street, which seems an appropriate name for a street in the middle of a French market! And, of course, it goes without saying that there is no shortage of souvenir shops in Versailles! There's always someplace to shop. RER: Line C-5 to Versailles-Rive Gauche Château de Versailles. More... SNCF: Paris Gare St-Lazare to Versailles-Rive Droite. More... Office de Tourisme de Versailles
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Above, in
the train station at Versailles.
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