I have always dreamed about going to Versailles - the land of palaces, gardens and of course cake. After long discussions, my sisters and I decided to treat our mother for her birthday with a trip to this magical city (yes Versailles is classified as a city).
As many of you have asked "how", "what" and "where"; I thought I would let you know what I believe to be the ingredients to create the most perfect weekend...
As many of you have asked "how", "what" and "where"; I thought I would let you know what I believe to be the ingredients to create the most perfect weekend...
Getting There & Where To Stay
Travelling to Versailles from London is super easy! We took the Eurostar straight to Paris and then booked an Uber to take us straight to our hotel. You can also get there by taking two trains, however after taking too many suitcases we decided we would go with the direct & lazy option. To get cheap tickets on Eurostar you often have to book 6 months in advance. Follow the link below:
www.eurostar.com/uk-en/trains
If you are like me, you will spend hours looking for the perfect hotel. My go-to hotel finder is Instagram which I find gives you a better insight into a hotel... and it didnt fail me, because I found Hôtel Le Louis Versailles Château which is where we stayed. It's the closest hotel to the Versailles Palace and it is stunning. The hotel has recently been renovated with emerald greens and gold and suits the city perfectly. They kindly upgraded us to a suite which was spacious and even had my favourite music playing when I arrived which made us feel so welcomed. Most importantly the beds were a dream, breakfast was delicious and the staff were so helpful. Follow the link below:
www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-1300-hotel-le-louis-versailles-chateau-mgallery-by-sofitel/index.shtml
www.eurostar.com/uk-en/trains
If you are like me, you will spend hours looking for the perfect hotel. My go-to hotel finder is Instagram which I find gives you a better insight into a hotel... and it didnt fail me, because I found Hôtel Le Louis Versailles Château which is where we stayed. It's the closest hotel to the Versailles Palace and it is stunning. The hotel has recently been renovated with emerald greens and gold and suits the city perfectly. They kindly upgraded us to a suite which was spacious and even had my favourite music playing when I arrived which made us feel so welcomed. Most importantly the beds were a dream, breakfast was delicious and the staff were so helpful. Follow the link below:
www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-1300-hotel-le-louis-versailles-chateau-mgallery-by-sofitel/index.shtml
Day 1
We arrived in Versailles in the early afternoon, unpacked and decided to wander around the city which is split into two districts - the Notre Dame area and Louis area. First we went around Notre Dame district which has the food market (this is open before 1pm), antique shops lining the cobbled streets, cathedral and a very nice hat shop called Falbalas St Junien. (Where I got my hat in the pictures below). We then visited Le Louis area, where I slightly preferred the architecture, and visited a much bigger but very similar cathedral. After visiting so many churches, my younger sister and I decided it was time for a much-needed drink and we settled into a lovely little bar called No Water which is located on Rue De Sactory. Later on, we walked back to our hotel and got ready for dinner at our hotel - the food was outstanding!
Day 2
Morning
After a fantastic sleep, in my very comfy bed, we were off to visit the palace which is unimaginably beautiful! I really did wonder how on earth they lived here... the whole place is ginormous! I will let the photos do the talking.......
After a fantastic sleep, in my very comfy bed, we were off to visit the palace which is unimaginably beautiful! I really did wonder how on earth they lived here... the whole place is ginormous! I will let the photos do the talking.......
Afternoon
After stopping at Ladurée, which is conveniently located within the Palace, we had a couple of macarons and much needed water because the sun had come out after months of hiding! The temperature hit 30c and we decided to venture out into the garden and catch a little train to The Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and Marie- Antoinette’s estate which features a small palace, farm and her country house (my favourite building of the visit). We then hopped back on the train and went back to the Palace, Versailles is vast and I highly recommend hopping on this little train or you won’t have enough time to see everything. It cost 8 Euros.
After stopping at Ladurée, which is conveniently located within the Palace, we had a couple of macarons and much needed water because the sun had come out after months of hiding! The temperature hit 30c and we decided to venture out into the garden and catch a little train to The Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and Marie- Antoinette’s estate which features a small palace, farm and her country house (my favourite building of the visit). We then hopped back on the train and went back to the Palace, Versailles is vast and I highly recommend hopping on this little train or you won’t have enough time to see everything. It cost 8 Euros.
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| | Evening After researching restaurants in Versailles, I came across Le Bistrot du 11 which has a sister restaurant in Paris and WOW it was INSANE!!! The BEST MEAL EVER and very good value (36Euros for 3 courses and they bring copious amounts of bread) we then crossed the road and headed back to No Water for a little drinkie. www.lebistrotdu11.com |
Day 3
Today was the day we were going to conquer the gardens - all 800 hectares and over 200,000 trees - so we decided to rent a golf buggy. I fully recommend spending the money, it cost us 35 euros an hour and 8 euros for each 15 mins after that. It was perfect as we drove around to the gardens we wanted to see and then just wandered around at our own leisure. The gardens that I found personally worth going to were The Kings Garden, Mirror Fountain and Collande Grove. During the summer they have the fountains on at certain times of the day with accompanying music, you really do get the scale of how over-the-top the gardens are but also appreciate that they were!
After conquering the garden and on the hottest weekend of the year, we definitely deserved a well-earned drink and found just outside the gates there is a lovely café with nice simple French food where we had a crêpe and enjoyed a lot of Aperol spritz. laflottille.fr/en/
It was time to end this magical adventure and go home.
After conquering the garden and on the hottest weekend of the year, we definitely deserved a well-earned drink and found just outside the gates there is a lovely café with nice simple French food where we had a crêpe and enjoyed a lot of Aperol spritz. laflottille.fr/en/
It was time to end this magical adventure and go home.
AuRevoir Versailles
Top Tips
- Bring water – You are allowed to take in small bottles of water, there is no A/C in the palace and on hot days with the crowds the heat can be sweltering.
- Pre-buy your tickets, the queues are long!
- Do not bring big bags (they are not allowed)
- Eat a big breakfast
- Arrive at Eurostar in Paris with enough spare time the queues are very long and disorganised.
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