Weather in Versailles

About Versailles

Versailles is absolute monarchy crystallised into marble and gilt—the Hall of Mirrors stuns, the gardens stretch endlessly, the fountains dance on royal command. This palace of excess was designed to overawe; it succeeds perfectly. Even cynics gasp.

Country

France

Best months to visit

June, July, August, September

Currency

EUR

Language

French

Things to do in Versailles

Tour the State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors Explore the vast gardens (rent a bike) Visit the Trianon palaces (less crowded) Watch the fountain shows (weekends in summer) Picnic on the grounds with regional wine Visit Marie Antoinette's private estate of Petit Trianon

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

Cold, with some rainy days.

February

Cold, with some rainy days.

March

12C

Cool, with some rainy days.

April

15C

Cool, with occasional showers.

May

18C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

June

23C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

July

25C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

August

24C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Recommended

September

21C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

October

17C

Cool, with some rainy days.

November

11C

Cool, with some rainy days.

December

Cold, with some rainy days.

Versailles is excess on an almost incomprehensible scale — the Hall of Mirrors alone has 357 mirrors reflecting candlelit gilding, and the gardens stretch for over 800 hectares of fountains, follies and the Grand Canal where you can hire a rowing boat. It's an easy half-day trip from Paris, though the palace and gardens together easily fill a full day for anyone with even a passing interest in the Sun King.

Best areas to stay in Versailles

The Palace

The main chateau, including the State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Royal Chapel.

The Gardens

Vast formal gardens with fountains, statues and the Grand Canal, designed by Andre Le Notre.

Marie Antoinette's Estate

The Petit Trianon and Hameau de la Reine, a secluded retreat within the grounds.

Versailles Town

The town surrounding the palace, with restaurants and the lively Notre-Dame market.

Getting to Versailles

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Flights

Fly into Paris (CDG or Orly); Versailles is a short RER train ride from central Paris.

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From London

~35-40 minutes by RER train from central Paris; around 2.5 hours by air from London plus the train.

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Getting around

The RER C train connects directly to Versailles; the palace and gardens are a short walk from the station, though the grounds themselves require significant walking.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Versailles from Paris?

RER train line C runs directly from central Paris to Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche station in about 35-40 minutes, included in standard Paris transport tickets with the right zone coverage.

How much time do I need at Versailles?

A half-day covers the palace's state apartments and Hall of Mirrors, but a full day allows time to explore the gardens, Marie Antoinette's Estate and the Grand Trianon as well.

Are the gardens free to visit?

The gardens are free most days, though there's a charge on 'Musical Fountains' and 'Musical Gardens' days when the fountains run to music — a spectacle worth timing your visit around.

Is Versailles busy?

Yes, especially Tuesdays to Sundays in summer — booking a timed-entry ticket in advance and arriving early or visiting on a quieter weekday afternoon helps avoid the worst queues.

What is Marie Antoinette's Estate?

A separate section of the grounds including the Petit Trianon and the Hameau de la Reine, a rustic mock village Marie Antoinette had built as a retreat from court life.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

The Hall of Mirrors was even more dazzling than expected, but the gardens stole the show — we rented bikes to cover more ground and still didn't see everything.

Isabelle M. · June 2024

★★★★☆

Booked a timed entry for first thing in the morning and it made a huge difference to the crowds inside the palace. The Musical Fountains show in the gardens was a highlight.

Greg T. · April 2023

★★★★★

Spent a full day and rowed across the Grand Canal — Marie Antoinette's Estate felt like a different world from the grandeur of the main palace.

Nora L. · October 2024