Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Where to go in Versailles

I am going to Paris on my honeymoon from Jan 26th to feb 3rd (8days). I was planning to take a day trip to versailles. Any ideas how to go and where to go in Versailles or if you suggest anything other than Versailles which might be a better option during that period?




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You can spend the majority of your day at the Chateau of Versailles and the gardens. There are several different tours offered...mostly independant, which is nice because it allows you to go at your own pace. The grounds are huge...tons of gardens and quiet places for picnics and you can rent bikes.



The easiest way to get without a car is the RER C line. It takes about 30 minutes from the center of Paris.




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It is doubtful you can rent bikes during the winter season... we couldn%26#39;t get anyone to open the kiosk in October one year, but we were successful this past September.





Only the grassy area by the canal is open for picnics - all the formal gardens are %26#39;pelouse interdit%26#39; (keep off).





The Chateau is very large and the grounds are extensive. There are two more %26#39;mansions%26#39; in the back of the property (Grand Trianon and Petite Trianon) and also Marie Antoinette%26#39;s %26quot;farm%26quot; (hameau). I think there is a tram you can take to reach those parts, and last time we saw golf carts (which kicked up too much dust for my likes). There may not be any/many flowers in the beds - not sure what they plant for cold weather.





The town itself has a nice area with lots of shops and cafes - if you are facing the plaza going up to the front of the chateau, then I%26#39;m referring to the neighborhood off to your right.




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I doubt there will be any flowers at all behind the chateau, and also the statues will be covered for their protection, but it is still worth, esp if you walk to the back to the hamlet. The train only goes from the chateau to the grand and petit trianon, NOT to the hamlet.




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Season of the year and uncertain weather will be the determining factors. Most of the gardens and grounds will be dormant.





Your best bet for going from Paris will be simply taking the RER %26#39;C-5%26#39; trains (any train with a %26#39;..V xxx..%26#39; designator) from any of the %26#39;C%26#39; lignes Left Bank stations, to the end-of-the-line, at VERSAILLES-Rive Gauche (RER fare-5,30 € round-trip..approx travel time 35 mins RER; 10 mins stroll to chateau))







VERSAILLE OFFICE of TOURISME--



www.versailles-tourisme.com/index_a.html





VILLE VERSAILLES--



www.mairie-versailles.fr/newspage.php…




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actually i would not recommend going to versaille in winter. if you do, keep in mind the following: the garden parterres of flowers (best enjoyed from the palace) will not be there... the main palace is empty - just the halls with mirrors, no furnishings. if you book a tour from paris - make sure they buy you a separate ticket to royal appartments, which do have furniture. we could not go - long ticket line and there was just 30 min time left from the tour - real bummer! i was really mad at the tour company for such mis-guidance. also the gardens themselves are mostly hedges and trees, formal and kinda boring in my view..most paths are large gravel - do not wear you good shoes! the fountains probably will not be on in winter. so you%26#39;ll kill a day that could be spend much better in the city. i am a garden fanatic and visit ALL gardens everywhere and expected a lot,...but i guess it was just my ignorance to blame after all...

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