Versailles with a private chauffeur: a royal day out, at your own pace

Versailles is only about 20 km west of Paris, yet the day can feel long by train: a suburban line, a walk to the gates, the queue, then the journey back. With a private chauffeur the day begins at your hotel door and ends there, with nothing to think about in between.

Depending on traffic, the drive takes 30 minutes to an hour from central Paris. Your chauffeur drops you as close as possible to Place d’Armes, facing the main gate, then stays with you for the day: he collects you at the agreed time, drives you to the Trianon estate if you wish, and takes you back to Paris.

How we suggest spending the day

Morning: the palace before the crowds

The palace opens at 9 am. Arriving at opening time means a quieter Marble Courtyard and a little more space in the Hall of Mirrors. Allow two to three hours for the Hall of Mirrors, the State Apartments and the Royal Chapel; the Royal Opera is seen on guided tours or during performances. Tickets are timed and must be booked in advance on the official website, including free admissions.

Afternoon: Trianon, the Queen’s Hamlet and Le Nôtre’s gardens

The Trianon estate opens at noon and brings together the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet. It is a good half-hour walk through the park from the palace; depending on access that day, your chauffeur can bring you closer by road. On selected days in the warmer months, the Musical Fountains Show brings the groves to life, and garden access is then ticketed.

Opening hours

• Palace: closed on Mondays. 1 April to 31 October, 9 am to 6.30 pm (last entry 5.45 pm); 1 November to 31 March, 9 am to 5.30 pm (last entry 4.45 pm).
• Trianon estate: closed on Mondays, opens at noon.
• Gardens and park: longer hours, depending on the season.

Hours may change on public holidays and event days: please check the official website before setting your departure time with us.

Why a chauffeur makes the difference

Bags stay in the boot, children can rest between visits, and the return time follows your day rather than a train timetable. After an evening show or a concert at the Royal Opera, your chauffeur is waiting at the exit. For delegations and VIP guests we arrange staggered arrivals, several cars in convoy and bilingual chauffeurs on request.

Delegations and major events. We also handle major events: up to 300 chauffeur-driven vehicles coordinated for a single event (delegations, trade fairs, conferences, evening receptions), with one point of contact orchestrating every arrival with discretion.

Included as standard

• Meet and greet: your chauffeur waits with a name sign, always included.
• Complimentary waiting time: 15 minutes for a transfer, 30 minutes at a railway station, 1 hour at the airport.
• Tolls and parking included in the quoted price.
• Luggage assistance and child seats on request.
• Free cancellation up to 3 hours before pick-up.
• Payment by card or PayPal.

Book your day with a chauffeur

For a day trip to the Palace of Versailles, we offer an hourly chauffeur service: the car and its chauffeur stay with you from departure until you are back at your Paris address. This day trip starts from €283 in an E-Class sedan and €400 in a V-Class van for 4 hours; each extra hour is €70 (sedan) or €100 (van). The exact fixed price is confirmed before you book.

Book my chauffeur

Planning more outings? See our Paris events calendar.

More day trips from Paris

• Chantilly
• Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte
• Champagne: Reims and Épernay
• Loire Valley castles
• 24 Hours of Le Mans

Versailles: your questions