Versailles

What is the least busiest day at Versailles? Is there anyway to buy tickets ahead of time to shorten the wait?

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During the week will be the least busy, However even with a museum pass you will wait

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you buy a combo train ticket entry ticket -- but there are usually lines anyway -- but not as long as the ticket line can be

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There are a couple of ways to buy them ahead of time, but the easiest may be the Forfaits Loisirs from Transilien, if you plan to take the RER to the chateau. This %26quot;combo%26quot; pass includes both your r/t train (RER) transportation from central Paris to the chateau and the %26quot;Passeport%26quot;, and all-access pass to the chateau, gardens and trianons. The passes are available at Transilien ticket booths inside the RER stations.

http://tinyurl.com/y84c3o

Keep in mind when you are looking at information on the above web page that the prices are only valid until 31 Mar 08. They will increase after that to reflect the Grands Eaux on weekends that begin in April.

You can also purchase the tickets in advance at any FNAC in Paris, or online, if you want to pay the shipping charges. IMHO, tho, it isn%26#39;t necessary, because buying them once you%26#39;re on the ground in Paris is pretty simple.

The least busiest day will most likely be a Wed or Thur, but if you%26#39;re visiting in the summer, they%26#39;ll all be busy. Best bet is to get there as early as you can, and despite the crowds, don%26#39;t discount a Sat or Sun when the fountains are playing. If you plan to spend a full day there, I would encourage you to consider going on a weekend. If this is a quick 1/2 day trip just to see the highlights, then I wouldn%26#39;t bother...go on a Wed or Thu.

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ArrowCapet,

Do you know if FNAC adds on a %26#39;handling%26#39; fee to the ticket prices at all?

Thanks!

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Yes, they do. It%26#39;s not a lot, but you can definitely avoid paying it if you purchase your ticket from a Transilien ticket booth with transportation, and even save a bit too.

The FNAC fee on the 16€ Passeport, for instance, is 1,60€ for a total price of 17,60€. If you are not taking the RER (i.e., driving in from somewhere for instance), then purchasing the tickets at an FNAC and paying the small handling fee is probably worth it as the line to purchase tickets at the chateau can be really long.

The other good use for FNAC is if you already have a Paris Museum Pass and plan to use that for entrance to the Chateau. The PMP does not include audio guides, and if you want to use them, you can purchase the audio-guide ticket at and FNAC and have it in hand when you arrive, and it will simplify the process.

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Along the same line of questions (but a little off-track). My husband and I will be in Paris in late

April and plan to rent a car from Paris (or Versailles) and drive to Bayeau for 3 nights then on the way back visit the palace of Versailles, leave the rental car in Versailles and take the train back to Paris for our final 2 nights. Can you tell me if the Hertz rental office is near the train station? I don%26#39;t like the thought of dragging our suitcases around to find the rental office or taking them from the car to the train on our return from Paris--any thoughts on how this could be done easier? My husband has MS so I don%26#39;t want him to be overloaded with suitcases and excess travel. Thanks for helping.

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Arrowcapet, please indulge. I have another question. If you have a Museum Pass in hand, can you buy the audio ticket at the RER and what is its cost? Merci

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