France s Palace of Versailles served as the royal ...

France s Palace of Versailles served as the royal residence of France from 1682 until the start of the French Revolution in 1789.

Located about 12 miles southwest of Paris, the opulent castle, famed for its magnificent architecture, lavish furnishing, and sprawling gardens, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As one of the most popular attractions in Europe, the Palace is nearly always bustling, but crowds are at their densest during the busy summer travel season of late May through early September. Weekends are also busy all year round.

To stroll through the Palace like Marie Antoinette without a horde of peasants following you, visit on a weekday or go in off season; the colder months of November to March (excluding holidays) see far fewer crowds.

Palace of Versailles Tip:
Regardless of the season, go early. The Palace gets busier in the late morning and afternoon, so plan to arrive before 10 a.m. to beat the rush.