On 1 November, Versailles quietly switches to its low-season rhythm. The fountain shows are over, the days are shorter, and the palace closes earlier. Is that bad news? Not really. If you are coming to Paris between November and March, winter Versailles has a few advantages that summer visitors never get. Here is what changes, and how to plan around it.
What are the Versailles opening hours in winter?
From 1 November to 31 March, the palace opens at 9:00 and closes at 17:30, with last entry at 17:00. The Trianon estate (Marie-Antoinette's side of the park) opens later, at noon, and also closes at 17:30. The gardens open daily from 8:00 to 18:00, though they can close in snow or strong wind.
Two dates to circle: the palace and Trianon are closed every Monday, and also on 25 December and 1 January. So no, Christmas Day at Versailles is not an option. The gardens, on the other hand, stay open on Mondays, which makes a crisp Monday walk a nice plan B.
Hours can change for events or works, so check the official website before you go.
Are the gardens really free in winter?
Yes. From November to March, the park and gardens are free to enter. In summer you pay for the gardens on most days because of the musical fountain shows. Those shows ran from 1 April to 1 November this year, so they are finished until spring.
The catch? Most fountains are switched off and some statues are covered for the winter. The upside is space. You can walk the Grand Canal or the long avenues and hear your own footsteps, which almost never happens in July.
Here's a little history to take with you. Louis XIV never had enough water to run every fountain at once. The story goes that fountain keepers signalled to each other as the king walked his gardens, turning on the fountains just ahead of him and switching them off behind. In winter, you get the gardens the way the gardeners saw them: quiet, and without the show.
How much does a Versailles ticket cost this winter?
For the low season (1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027), the official tourism office lists the palace ticket at €25 for adults and €22 for residents or nationals of the European Economic Area. A cheaper late-afternoon rate applies from 15:00. Visitors under 18 enter free, as do EU citizens aged 18 to 26.
There's also a winter bonus: entry is free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month from November to March. Free does not mean empty, though. Those Sundays get busy, and a timed reservation is still required for the palace.
A few quick rules worth knowing:
- Reserve a time slot for the palace, even with the Paris Museum Pass.
- The Trianon does not need a reservation.
- Prices and free-entry rules can change, so check the official website before you go.
How do you get to Versailles from Paris?
You have three easy train options. The RER C runs to Versailles Château Rive Gauche, the station closest to the palace, and you can pick it up near the Eiffel Tower or the Musée d'Orsay. From Montparnasse, Transilien line N reaches Versailles Chantiers in about 15 to 30 minutes. From Saint-Lazare, line L goes to Versailles Rive Droite in about 30 minutes.
One winter tip: with the palace closing at 17:30 and sunset coming early, start in the morning. Do the palace first, have lunch, then walk to the Trianon when it opens at noon. You'll be heading back to Paris as the lights come on.
Is Versailles worth visiting in winter?
If you love interiors, yes, without hesitation. The Hall of Mirrors and the State Apartments are the same in December as in June, and on a grey day the gilding glows against the low light. Some rooms close from time to time for restoration, so don't be surprised if a door is shut.
If your dream is the full fountain show, come back between April and October. Winter is for people who prefer a calmer palace, cooler walks and a free park.
Want to make the most of short winter days? A licensed guide handles the timed entry, the route through the crowds and the stories behind the gold, so you're not reading signs in a queue.
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Read next: How to see the Louvre and Versailles in one Paris trip, and What to wear in Paris, season by season.