Guest Post by Becca Fritz | Sugar Hill, Georgia, USA
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking in the footsteps of royalty, the Palace of Versailles is the ultimate destination. With its sprawling gardens, ornate apartments, and storybook charm, it’s easy to see why millions of travelers make the journey just outside of Paris each year.
Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Becca Fritz, a passionate blogger and traveler from Sugar Hill, Georgia, who shares her firsthand experience of spending one day at Versailles. Prepare for a very packed day: from a must-do guided tour of the King’s Apartments to a dreamy detour through Marie Antoinette’s personal village, Becca takes us along for the ride—golf cart and all.
Whether you’re planning your own visit to Versailles or just daydreaming from home, her tips, observations, and humor make this a can’t-miss read.
Let’s dive in!
Why You Should Add the King’s Apartments Guided Tour
We arrived at Versailles at 9:30 AM for our 1:00 PM timed entry into the King’s Apartments. I highly recommend adding the $10 guided tour—even if you already have a timed ticket.
Without it, you’ll be waiting in a long line outside (yes, even with timed entry). With the guided tour, we not only skipped the line but also got exclusive access to the Royal Chapel, which is not included in the standard self-guided route. Totally worth the extra cost if you’re spending one day at Versailles!
Touring the Versailles Gardens by Golf Cart
With a few hours to spare before our tour, we rented a golf cart (for two hours) to explore the Versailles Gardens. After a cappuccino and some logistics, we finally set out around 11:00. Even though it was early spring (April 2024) and many trees were still bare, the elegance of the gardens was undeniable. My husband, Todd, who’s a huge fan of landscaping, was in heaven!
Discovering the Queen’s Hamlet: A Real-Life Fairy Tale
One of my top priorities was seeing the Queen’s Hamlet, so we followed the map provided at the entrance. Quick note: the maps show where landmarks are but not how to access them—which made things a little tricky.
After wandering around for an hour (Todd’s not a fan of “creative shortcuts” like I am 😂), we finally found it—and it was magical. Straight out of a storybook, this village was Marie Antoinette’s personal retreat, complete with cottage gardens and a small farm. Todd joked that it was her 18th-century “Mom’s Club,” and honestly, he’s not wrong.
Racing Back for the King’s Apartments Tour
After a whirlwind visit to the Hamlet, we had just 25 minutes to get back for our guided tour. Finding the meeting point was confusing—staff weren’t quite sure where to send us. (For future reference: if you’re facing the Palace, the tour entrance is in the building to the far right.)
We eventually found it with the help of a kind staffer and joined the tour just in time!
A Look Inside the King’s Private World
The King’s Apartments tour was both fascinating and beautiful. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable, and the highlight was absolutely the tour of the Royal Chapel.
Skipping the massive entry line afterward made it all the more worthwhile. The only downside? We hadn’t made a game plan for the rest of the palace—and we were starving.
Lunch at Angelina: Sweet Relief
We headed to Angelina for lunch—somewhere I’d been wanting to try in Paris, but the timing never worked out. Luckily, we got seated right away at the Versailles location, even though the menu was limited.
I had their famous chocolat chaud (even though I was already overheating 😅), a quiche, and sparkling water. Todd had a croque monsieur and we split a salad. Delicious, though I personally prefer Carette’s hot chocolate!
One Day at Versailles: The Hall of Mirrors and Rushed Highlights
With time ticking, we hustled through some of Versailles’ top highlights, including the Gallery of Battles, Empire Rooms, and, of course, the Hall of Mirrors. All were breathtaking, but the palace was packed and we were running on empty. Sadly, we didn’t get a chance to return to the manicured gardens or see the musical fountain show. Rain was rolling in anyway, so we grabbed a G7 taxi back to Paris.
Dinner at Tigermilk in Paris’ 9th Arrondissement
Back in the city, we rested a bit before heading to Tigermilk, a Mexican-inspired spot in the 9th arrondissement that I’d bookmarked earlier in the trip. Colorful, fresh, and super friendly—the food and cocktails were top-notch. Between tacos, quesadillas, nachos, and amazing drinks, we were too full for dessert. A low-key Uber ride back to the hotel capped off a long but incredible day.
Final Thoughts: Versailles Deserves More Time
If I could do it again, I’d spend at least two full days at Versailles. There’s just so much to see—from the opulent rooms and expansive grounds to secret gems like the Hamlet and boat rentals on the Grand Canal. Seven hours barely scratched the surface, and even with great planning, one day at Versailles felt rushed. But that just gives us a reason to return!
