6 Budget-Friendly Tips for Versailles with Kids Under 10€!

When my daughter’s godfather texted that he was coming to Versailles with his wife and four kids in tow, I knew what he’d ask next.

Should we do Versailles with kids, or is it too much?

I thought about the audio tours and the crowded tour groups and the long lines that make children cranky. But we had learned that the best parts of Versailles weren’t always inside the castle. And they didn’t always cost money.

1. The Street Art Hunt

Jacques’s kids were bored after an hour in the palace. We needed something different.

For €6, we bought a street art guide that led us through Versailles neighborhoods we never would have seen. The kids looked for murals like they were hunting treasure. Which, in a way, they were.

ExplorHappy’s guide makes it easy to navigate these artistic gems, providing an off-the-beaten-path experience that kids will love.

Self-Guided Walk for Families
Cost: Only €6 for the entire family-friendly guide! (Available in English and French.)
Perfect for Kids: Their website recommends for children aged 5 to 12

Insider’s Tip: If you’re visiting Versailles and looking to escape the crowds of the château, head to San Luis Glacier, a local favorite near the ancient market in the heart of the city. Renowned for its handmade ice cream and unique flavors, it’s the go-to spot for those in the know. Treat yourself to a scoop (or two!) and enjoy it while wandering the picturesque streets of Versailles.

2. Rick Steves’ Audio Tour of Versailles

For older kids and parents who enjoy storytelling, Rick Steves’ free audio tour of Versailles is a gem. Download it before your visit, pop in your earbuds, and let Rick Steves guide you through the palace’s most iconic rooms.

The guide is quick and dirty, but in just under an hour, you’ve covered the rise and fall of the French monarchy, weaving in vivid stories about Louis XIV, Marie Antoinette, and the events leading to the French Revolution. Steve’s got so much charm and charisma, it’s like having a personal historian in your pocket!

Great to listen to before you go, so you have an idea of what you’ll be looking at.

Audio Guide Link: Rick Steves Audio Tours
Cost: Free
Not just for Kids: Recommended for people of all ages

3. The Little Detectives at Trianon

At the Petit Trianon, the kids became investigators. For €10, we bought a detective booklet that turned Marie Antoinette’s hamlet into a mystery to solve.

One of the most enchanting parts of the Versailles experience for kids is hidden away in Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet and the Petit Trianon. This magical area feels like stepping into a fairy tale, with picturesque cottages, winding paths, and charming farm animals.

Make the adventure even more exciting by grabbing the guidebook, The Little Detectives at the Trianon. This interactive booklet follows the tale of two women uncovering the mystery of the Petit Trianon. Is it haunted by the ghost of Marie Antoinette? With comics, mazes, and puzzles, this guide lets kids explore history in a fun and imaginative way.

We spent two hours following the clues. They solved puzzles and found hidden details I never would have noticed.

Guidebook Recommendation: The Little Detectives at the Trianon
Cost: Only €10 for the entire family-friendly guide!
Perfect for Kids: Recommended for children aged 5 to 12

Getting There: The easiest way to reach the Petit Trianon is by taking the Little Train (Petit Train), a hop-on-hop-off shuttle that circles the grounds. Tickets are €9 for adults, and kids under 12 ride free.

Pro Tip: Order the guidebook ahead of time, as it’s not always available at the château gift shop. The on-site investigation lasts about an hour and is perfect for kids when guided by an adult.

4. Geocaching in Versailles: Treasure Hunting with GPS

I downloaded the geocaching app while we sat on a bench near the Grand Canal. Six kids crowded around my phone screen, watching little dots appear on the map.

Over 1,000 hidden caches were scattered around the palace and gardens. Some were behind statues. Others tucked under benches or hidden in hollow trees. Each one was a mystery waiting to be solved.

The first cache took us twenty minutes to find. We circled the same fountain three times before Jacques’s oldest son spotted a small container wedged behind a stone cherub. Inside was a tiny logbook and a collection of small toys left by previous hunters.

The kids took turns signing their names in the logbook. Then they each chose a small trinket to take and left something behind from our collection of erasers and stickers.

It was like leaving presents for strangers, one of them observed. Except the strangers left presents for us too.

By the end of lunch, we had found fourteen caches. The kids had turned Versailles into their own private treasure map. Every hedge might hide a secret. Every statue could be a landmark leading to discovery.

They forgot they were tired. They forgot to complain about walking. They had become explorers in a place that suddenly felt like it belonged to them.

Download the free app, and you’ll receive coordinates to begin your hunt. Not only is this activity thrilling for kids, but it’s also educational—you’ll uncover fascinating tidbits about the gardens and palace as you search.

Bonus Tip: Bring a small trinket to leave behind in the cache as part of the geocaching tradition.

Get Started: www.geocaching.com
Cost: Free
Perfect for Families: Recommended for anyone age 0 to 99

5. Feed the Ducks and Swans

A Simple Joy in the Gardens
Cost: Free
Perfect for Kids: Recommended for children aged 3 to 12

At the Grand Canal, the kids discovered the simplest pleasure of all. We had a bag of chips that we had saved for lunch, and the swans came gliding over like they’d been waiting all day.

The ducks fought with the swans for the chips. Even the fish jumped up to grab pieces. The children decided they were all friends.

We sat there for thirty minutes, just watching and feeding. It cost nothing and felt like everything.

Watching the graceful swans glide across the water and seeing the ducks eagerly paddle over for treats adds a calming, nature-filled pause to your day of exploring Versailles.

Pro Tip: Plan this stop as part of your picnic break near the Grand Canal for a perfect mix of fun and relaxation.

6. Pick Up a Fun Game Booklet from the City of Versailles

This was a great tip from Mama Collleen. (Scroll down to #3 on her tips)

Game Booklets for the Palace & Coaches Gallery
Cost: Free!
Perfect for Kids: Recommended for children aged 6 to 12

I didn’t even know about this, and I live here! The Palace of Versailles offers free, beautifully illustrated game booklets that bring history to life for kids. Available in English and French, these booklets are packed with fun facts and engaging activities to keep little ones entertained as they explore.

Where to Find Them

Download the booklets directly from the Versailles website.

• The Palace Game Booklet: Grab a copy at the Information Desk in the South Ministers’ Wing (next to the main ticket office).
• The Coaches Gallery Game Booklet: Available at the entrance to the Coaches Gallery.

What’s Inside?

These booklets provide a mix of activities and fascinating tidbits about the estate. For example, kids will learn quirky facts like how Louis XIV wore several wigs throughout the day because he had very little hair!

Making Family Memories

People always ask how we afford to travel with kids. The truth is, we can’t afford not to.

But we also can’t afford expensive tours and overpriced museum shops. So we’ve learned to look for the free things and the cheap things and the things that cost almost nothing but give us everything.

Jacques’s kids remember feeding the swans more than they remember the Hall of Mirrors. They talk about solving the mystery at the Petit Trianon more than they talk about the fancy furniture.

Maybe that’s what travel really is. Not the expensive experiences, but the moments when kids discover something new about the world.

And maybe Versailles with kids isn’t about seeing everything perfectly. Maybe it’s about seeing anything at all, together.