Car Hire Versailles - Mini guide to Versailles

Located twenty kilometres southwest of Paris, the town of Versailles is renowned for the spectacular Palace of Versailles and its surrounding park, and other nearby chateau towns make the area one of the most frequented tourist destinations in France.

Built for Louis XIV, the 17th century château is an awesome architectural feat. Though considered by many to be somewhat gaudy and overstated, you cannot help but admire the grand scale and magnificence of the complex. There are four entrances to the palace, and you can opt for guided tours or explore the rooms and exhibits on your own. Entrance A is for those who want to visit the Grands Appartements only; Entrance B is for pre-booked groups; Entrance C gives access to Louis XIV's apartments, the Dauphin and Dauphine's apartments and the Hall of Mirrors; and Entrance D organizes various guided tours for individual visitors at varying prices. The château was constructed over 51 years, from 1664 to 1715, and, with the exception of a few years after Louis XIV’s death, was the residence of the French royal family until the Revolution of 1789. It was neglected for many years, and is now in pristine condition thanks to the numerous restoration efforts of both the 19th and 20th centuries.

The other premier attraction of Versailles is the chateau’s superb park. Covering four square kilometers, the palace grounds near the chateau consist of symmetrical gardens with fountains. The park loses its formality the further you wander away from the palace, and there are numerous tranquil sections to spend a relaxing morning or afternoon, including Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Le Hameau de Marie-Antoinette. There are shuttle services running through the park and you can row around the Grande Canal in rented boats.

Near the park entrance stands the Hôtel Palais Trianon, where the final negotiations for the Treaty of Versailles took place in 1919. It is an extremely popular place to lunch, dine, or to just have refreshing drinks after a stroll through the park.

There are a number of attractive destinations nearby that make for rewarding day trips. Examples of these are Fontainebleau, Chantilly, the cathedral of Chartres and the Basilica of St-Denis.

Versailles can easily be reached by shuttle services operating out of Paris’ Charles de Gaulle International Airport, which caters to direct flights from most world cities.