Excursions in France
Versailles
With its Fascinating "Le Grand Siècle" atmosphere, Versailles is one of the most prestigious monuments of the world's artistic heritage and certainly the finest and most complete achievement of the 17th Century French Art. King Louis XIII's former hunting lodge, was enlarged by Louis XIV The Sun King.
He engaged the great masters creators of Vaux le Vicomte.
The Royal Apartments, The Hall of Mirrors, The Royal Opera, The Grand Trianon (retreat of Louis XIV from the stiff etiquette of the court), Le Petit Trianon with an English style garden (created for Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour and the famous queens hamlet added for Queen Marie Antoinette),Versailles is the model of formal gardens 'a la Française'.
Distance from Paris : 22 Kms
The best days to visit Versailles during spring and summer are Saturdays and Sundays (Musical Fontainshows between 11 & 12h and between 3h30 & 5h30 p.m.).
Closed on Mondays
How to get there :
On your own, by train : Train RER C from the metro station “La Motte-Piquet-Grenelle” (metro line n°6, direct from the hotel Raphael within 15 mn) to the train station “Versailles Rive-Gauche” (located within 5mn walk from the Palace of Versailles).
The duration of the trip is roughly 45 mn, from the hotel to the Palace. The trains leave every 15 minutes, from the early morning till late at night.
The price for a round trip ticket is around 4 €.
On your own, by car : This trip is easy by car using the motorway A 13, either from “Porte d’Auteuil” or “Porte Maillot”. The duration of the trip is roughly 30 mn.
Rental car agencies are available near the hotel (Hertz, Avis).
Excursions with minivan and driver-guide :
Shared excursions for small groups (8 people maximum). Several languages are available on request.
Half-day tour :
Duration : around 3:30 (drive time included)
Hotel pick up and drop off
Daily except on Monday and on special events
At 8.00/8.30 AM and 1.30 PM
You will appreciate the magnificient park, the Grand Trianon (view from the outside) and from april to end September on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the magic fountain display in the gardens. Guided visit with audioguide in the State Apartments (Hall of Mirrors, King and Queen's Apartments). Entrance tickets included (palace and gardens).
The price is 77 € per person.
Full-day tour :
Duration 8 hours (drive time included)
Hotel pick up and drop off
Departure: 9.00 am on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Guided visit of the Palace of Versailles.
Visit to the Park.
Lunch included.
Guided visit of the Trianons.
Queen’s Hamlet.
The price is 159 € per person (Additional fee of 6€ the days of the Special Fountains Show Programme : every Saturdays & Sundays from April 8th to september 30th).
Visit with private car and English speaking driver :
Possibility to stop at Giverny for a visit of the Monet’s house and garden on the way.
Drivers are professionals, selected for their enthusiasm, personality, spoken languages and driving skills. They are intensively trained in advanced touristic knowledge.
Visit with a private professional guide :
We can provide professional guides in English (many other languages are also available) for your private and thorough visit of the Palace. The price is 250 € for a 4 hour tour (+ entrance tickets), for 2 people (350 € for 4 people).
Please ask for rates for families (discount for children).
VAT and service are included in all our prices.
Places to have lunch :
La Flottille, located inside the Park of Versailles, in front of the Grand Canal.
Many traditionnal bistrots (le Bistrot du Boucher, la Marée, etc) are located all around the Place du Marché (“Outside Market Square”), within 10 minutes’ walk from the Palace. This charming square with its daily market is woth seeing. Many terrasses in summer.
The best days to visit Versailles during spring and summer are Saturdays and Sundays (Musical Fontainshows between 11 & 12h and between 3h30 & 5h30 p.m.).
Closed on Mondays
How to get there :
On your own, by train : Train RER C from the metro station “La Motte-Piquet-Grenelle” (metro line n°6, direct from the hotel Raphael within 15 mn) to the train station “Versailles Rive-Gauche” (located within 5mn walk from the Palace of Versailles).
The duration of the trip is roughly 45 mn, from the hotel to the Palace. The trains leave every 15 minutes, from the early morning till late at night.
The price for a round trip ticket is around 4 €.
On your own, by car : This trip is easy by car using the motorway A 13, either from “Porte d’Auteuil” or “Porte Maillot”. The duration of the trip is roughly 30 mn.
Rental car agencies are available near the hotel (Hertz, Avis).
Excursions with minivan and driver-guide :
Shared excursions for small groups (8 people maximum). Several languages are available on request.
Half-day tour :
Duration : around 3:30 (drive time included)
Hotel pick up and drop off
Daily except on Monday and on special events
At 8.00/8.30 AM and 1.30 PM
You will appreciate the magnificient park, the Grand Trianon (view from the outside) and from april to end September on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the magic fountain display in the gardens. Guided visit with audioguide in the State Apartments (Hall of Mirrors, King and Queen's Apartments). Entrance tickets included (palace and gardens).
The price is 77 € per person.
Full-day tour :
Duration 8 hours (drive time included)
Hotel pick up and drop off
Departure: 9.00 am on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Guided visit of the Palace of Versailles.
Visit to the Park.
Lunch included.
Guided visit of the Trianons.
Queen’s Hamlet.
The price is 159 € per person (Additional fee of 6€ the days of the Special Fountains Show Programme : every Saturdays & Sundays from April 8th to september 30th).
Visit with private car and English speaking driver :
Possibility to stop at Giverny for a visit of the Monet’s house and garden on the way.
Drivers are professionals, selected for their enthusiasm, personality, spoken languages and driving skills. They are intensively trained in advanced touristic knowledge.
Visit with a private professional guide :
We can provide professional guides in English (many other languages are also available) for your private and thorough visit of the Palace. The price is 250 € for a 4 hour tour (+ entrance tickets), for 2 people (350 € for 4 people).
Please ask for rates for families (discount for children).
VAT and service are included in all our prices.
Places to have lunch :
La Flottille, located inside the Park of Versailles, in front of the Grand Canal.
Many traditionnal bistrots (le Bistrot du Boucher, la Marée, etc) are located all around the Place du Marché (“Outside Market Square”), within 10 minutes’ walk from the Palace. This charming square with its daily market is woth seeing. Many terrasses in summer.
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