If you’re looking up Palace of Versailles opening hours, it’s easiest to think of Versailles as a whole estate with a few different “clock times” depending on what you want to see. The main Palace is open every day except Monday, and it runs on a seasonal schedule. In the low season (November 1 to March 31), the Palace is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In the high season (April 1 to October 31), it stays open later, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Estate of Trianon (where you’ll find the Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Marie-Antoinette’s Estate) opens later in the day than the main Palace. It is also closed on Mondays. In low season, it is open from 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and in high season it is open from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
For the outdoor areas, the estate is more flexible. The Gardens and the Park are open every day, but their closing time can shift by season and by what’s happening on the grounds. The official Versailles guidance notes that the Gardens can close at different times depending on the period of the year, and the Gardens-and-Fountains page summarizes it as opening at 8:00 a.m. and closing at 5:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., or 8:30 p.m. depending on the day and season.
Because Versailles occasionally hosts special fountain and evening events, it’s normal for the Gardens to have earlier evacuations on certain dates, especially in the warmer months. If your plan is to focus on the Gardens, it’s worth checking the official schedule close to your visit day so you don’t get surprised by an early closure.
https://en.chateauversailles.fr/
Closed days
When people search Palace of Versailles closed days, the most important thing to know is that the Palace itself is closed every Monday. On top of that weekly closure, Versailles also lists a couple of fixed annual closures that can affect holiday trips: the Palace is closed on January 1 and December 25.
It’s also worth knowing that Versailles is a huge estate, and different areas don’t always behave the same way. The Estate of Trianon follows the same closure pattern in the official practical information, meaning it is also closed on Mondays, and it is likewise listed as closed on January 1 and December 25.
Meanwhile, the outdoor areas are usually more flexible. Versailles’ own guidance explains that the Gardens and the Park are open every day, including on Mondays when the Palace is shut, which is a handy workaround if your only free day falls on a Monday.
At the same time, the Gardens information notes that access can be affected by exceptional weather conditions (for example, strong winds), so “open every day” doesn’t always mean “guaranteed access in all conditions.”
Because special events and operational updates can change what’s accessible on a specific date, the safest habit is to check the official Versailles calendar close to your visit day, especially if you’re traveling during holiday periods.
https://en.chateauversailles.fr/
Palace of Versailles lastentry
If you’re checking Palace of Versailles last entry, the official cut-off depends on the season. In the low season (November 1 to March 31), the Palace is open until 5:30 p.m., and last admission is 4:45 p.m. In the high season (April 1 to October 31), the Palace closes at 6:30 p.m., and last admission is 5:45 p.m. The practical information page also notes that the ticket office closes earlier than the doors, so arriving late can be stressful even if you technically know the last-entry time.
It’s also worth knowing what “last entry” feels like in real life at Versailles. The estate is enormous, and the official ticket page plainly warns that if you enter at the final visiting slot, you won’t be able to see the entire Palace. That’s why many travelers treat the last-entry time as an absolute boundary, not a target, and aim to arrive comfortably before it so security checks, walking time, and crowds don’t eat into the little time you have left inside.
https://en.chateauversailles.fr/
Palace of Versailles packing
For Palace of Versailles packing, the biggest mistake is arriving with “travel-day luggage.” Versailles applies strict security measures, and visitors are asked not to come with bags or suitcases. Large bags are prohibited, and anything bigger than 55 cm × 35 cm × 20 cm will not be admitted. The estate also states that bags are checked systematically, so even with a small day bag, it’s wise to pack light so you can move through security without stress.
If you do end up carrying items you can’t bring inside, Versailles provides free left-luggage lockers. The official left-luggage page explains that lockers are available in the North Ministers’ Wing, and it gives the locker size as 30 × 49 × 50 cm (height × width × depth). It also notes that luggage must be collected before 4:45 p.m. in low season and 5:45 p.m. in high season, so don’t treat the lockers like all-day storage if you’re planning a long afternoon in the Gardens.
What you pack should also respect the on-site rules. In the Palace and Trianon museum areas, items like knives, scissors, and other sharp or blunt objects are not permitted, and neither are food and drink. Flash photography and equipment like tripods and selfie sticks are also not allowed, and smoking is restricted across much of the estate. These rules are easy to follow if you bring only the essentials, keep your pockets and bag tidy for security checks, and plan to eat and drink during proper breaks rather than while moving through the rooms.
Finally, pack for the reality of the day, not just the photos. Versailles involves hours of walking across stone floors, courtyards, and long garden paths, so comfortable shoes matter more than style. Weather can change quickly in the open grounds, so a light layer and a compact rain option make the visit smoother. If you keep your bag small, your outfit comfortable, and your “extras” minimal, Versailles feels less like a crowded checkpoint and more like the grand, leisurely day trip people imagine when they picture the palace.
