As another PP mentioned, the Seine dinner cruise on Bateaux Parisiens was awesome; a highlight of our (me, DH, and DS, 11) trip. Book the 8:30 pm departure time and the boat will return to the dock at 11 pm, just as the lights are twinkling on the Eiffel Tower.
We booked a tour of Versailles with Context Travel — pricey, but it was so thorough and the guide was so entertaining! The tour included private transportation to Versailles, and we took an Uber back. But a friend of mine did the bike tour of Versailles that another PP referenced, and he highly recommended it. Have fun!

We did an e-bike trip from Paris to Versailles (and back). Guide stopped in town of Versailles so everyone could buy food for picnic. Had one or two other pit stops on the way. Highly recommend for older kids.

Worth going to Chartres. It's on the same RER line as Versailles and you can go there first, admire the cathedral, and stop at Versailles on the way back. We've done this twice and it's doable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I literally took an uber to Versailles with my kids. I tried to figure out the train schedule, but it seemed overwhelming to me (and I have been to Paris many, many times), and uber takes you right there to and picks you up from the front.

We got there right when it opened, on Thanksgiving Day (bought tickets in advance). It was crowded by the time we left. It is a day trip.

You have been to Paris many many times, but couldn't figure out how to get to the RER C line, which runs to "Versailles Chateau" every 15 minutes?

Just as likely that they knew about all the stairs, smells and scallawags they’d likely meet on the RER and prudently took a car that let them avoid all that and unnecessary walking.

We took this train to Versailles last summer and saw none of this.

We did the Fat Tire bike tour as recommended on DCUM travel forum - highlight of two weeks in Europe! I know you said you didn't want a pricey tour but this got you all over the grounds and gardens which were much more interesting than the actual house.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. What is the entrance time to Versailles for? Is it for the palace specifically? As in we could tour the gardens before our entrance time? Or we have to wait until our ticket time to even go on the grounds?

I believe it's for the palace but should say when you book.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I literally took an uber to Versailles with my kids. I tried to figure out the train schedule, but it seemed overwhelming to me (and I have been to Paris many, many times), and uber takes you right there to and picks you up from the front.

We got there right when it opened, on Thanksgiving Day (bought tickets in advance). It was crowded by the time we left. It is a day trip.

You have been to Paris many many times, but couldn't figure out how to get to the RER C line, which runs to "Versailles Chateau" every 15 minutes?

Just as likely that they knew about all the stairs, smells and scallawags they’d likely meet on the RER and prudently took a car that let them avoid all that and unnecessary walking.

“Unnecessary walking.” This is why the French are slim and Americans are far. This attitude right here.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I literally took an uber to Versailles with my kids. I tried to figure out the train schedule, but it seemed overwhelming to me (and I have been to Paris many, many times), and uber takes you right there to and picks you up from the front.

We got there right when it opened, on Thanksgiving Day (bought tickets in advance). It was crowded by the time we left. It is a day trip.

You have been to Paris many many times, but couldn't figure out how to get to the RER C line, which runs to "Versailles Chateau" every 15 minutes?

Just as likely that they knew about all the stairs, smells and scallawags they’d likely meet on the RER and prudently took a car that let them avoid all that and unnecessary walking.

No, that’s not what she wrote at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to finish up some pre-bookings and have some random questions - hoping people here can help with.

1. When booking the Saint Chappelle tickets, is it worth it to pay for the add on to the Conciergerie, or not worth it?

2. How long does it take to get to Versailles via metro/train/walking and do I need to book the train part in advance? Is there a better way to go short of booking a pricey tour?

3. Do I need to book a Seine River Cruise in advance? I went to do it but then realized you are only booking a day, not a time, so you are still at the mercy of the lines to get your specific ticket right?

I will probably think of more questions but I think that's it for now.

A Siene river cruise? Ugh.

Why? It's a great way to see a lot in a short time. Not everyone has three weeks to leisurely explore. What would you suggest instead?

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to finish up some pre-bookings and have some random questions - hoping people here can help with.

1. When booking the Saint Chappelle tickets, is it worth it to pay for the add on to the Conciergerie, or not worth it?

2. How long does it take to get to Versailles via metro/train/walking and do I need to book the train part in advance? Is there a better way to go short of booking a pricey tour?

3. Do I need to book a Seine River Cruise in advance? I went to do it but then realized you are only booking a day, not a time, so you are still at the mercy of the lines to get your specific ticket right?

I will probably think of more questions but I think that's it for now.

A Siene river cruise? Ugh.

Anonymous wrote:I literally took an uber to Versailles with my kids. I tried to figure out the train schedule, but it seemed overwhelming to me (and I have been to Paris many, many times), and uber takes you right there to and picks you up from the front.

We got there right when it opened, on Thanksgiving Day (bought tickets in advance). It was crowded by the time we left. It is a day trip.

From which part of Paris to Versailles and how much did it cost you?

OP here. What is the entrance time to Versailles for? Is it for the palace specifically? As in we could tour the gardens before our entrance time? Or we have to wait until our ticket time to even go on the grounds?

Versailles — we booked a reservation for breakfast at the gorgeous Alain Ducasse restaurant Ore which is right at the palace entrance. Took great pictures in the empty palace grounds before we went in. After breakfast, they take you through a separate entrance to the ticket checkpoint to start the tour. Still crowded but a luxurious start and very worthwhile! Not sure if still an option but may be worth exploring?

I personally think the best way to visit Versailles is to rent a bike at the entrance and tour the gardens that way. You can stop wherever and it’s a beautiful ride. I find the palace itself a bit less interesting but definitely worth seeing at least once if you’ve never been. I’ve always just taken the RER and metro the few times I’ve been but I can see taking an Uber if you’re strapped for time.

Our family of 4 went to Paris lately.

For Versailles, it made more sense to Uber honestly. Once you consider the hassle of walking to the metro, switching to take the RER and tickets for 4 people, Uber was only a few euros more and totally worth it. You will walk a lot in Versailles so you don't want to arrive there tired.

Regarding the River Cruises : The most memorable part of our Paris trip was a dinner river cruise on the Seine. It was our one splurge during the trip and totally worth it. It came out around 115 euros a person. The river departed around 8:30 pm and ended around 11 pm right underneath the Eiffel Tower when it was sparkling. We booked the tour through Viator a few days earlier when we were there. It was run by Bateaux Parisiens (so prob cheaper to book directly through them).

https://www.bateauxparisiens.com/english.html

I wouldn't advise booking too far in advance as you don't want to go on a day when it's raining. The boat is covered but still ...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I literally took an uber to Versailles with my kids. I tried to figure out the train schedule, but it seemed overwhelming to me (and I have been to Paris many, many times), and uber takes you right there to and picks you up from the front.

We got there right when it opened, on Thanksgiving Day (bought tickets in advance). It was crowded by the time we left. It is a day trip.

You have been to Paris many many times, but couldn't figure out how to get to the RER C line, which runs to "Versailles Chateau" every 15 minutes?

Actually yes. I had my 2 kids with me, my husband had to work and I didn’t feel like dealing with the RER. I’m actually married to a Parisian and have a flat in the 18a but after comparing the time it would take to take the metro to the RER and then to Versailles and then walk I decided forget it. I took an Uber. Was extremely easy and not that expensive. Saved a lot of time too. Zero regrets.

But hey, whatever. I’m just offering my experience, you are just being rude. Maybe you’re really one of my in-laws.