Évitez les files d'attente au château de Versailles avec les transferts depuis l'hôtel

Billed as a full day tour, but guide led us through Versailles for 1 1/2 hours, then left us on our own to tour the gardens. Guide was very knowledgeable about the rooms and history of the palace, but didn't tell us what to expect for the remainder of the day. Only said you have the rest of the day to explore the gardens on your own after leading us through the extremely crowded rooms, didn't tell us about the restaurants to be found on the Great Canal in the gardens, and said the driver was to meet us at 4:00 for our return to Paris when we were done. IOur drive to the palace from our hotel in Paris was very uncomfortable...four adults in a small car. The tour was not as billed in the listing...a full day tour is not 1 1/2 hours with a guide.

Our tour began with driver picking us up 40 minutes late. We sat outside our flat, waiting and waiting. When we finally got on the road, he tells us there are two more stops before heading to Versailles. So we drove around Paris for the next 1.5 hours in traffic before even getting on the road to Versailles. When we got to Versailles, we had missed our tour appointment, and the poor tour guy, (our driver) had to scramble for the next half hour to get us in. He did his best and comp us tickets to get into the gardens and Petit Trianon. Still, a big waste of time and hated the ride around ParisTwo of the people in our group were so disgusted, the opted out and left the tour. Do not book this tour that picks you up, they don't tell you about other pick ups and you'll be stuck in a mini van for two hours! Pretty disappointing. The tour itself was OK, driver was a good tour person. The unexpected covert ride was awful.

The tour guide was excellent. Regrettably, that was the only bright spot of the tour experience. The transportation support and management's concern for the customer were absolutely deplorable making it the worse tour experience that my wife and I have had as international travelers in our decades of travel. The driver did not speak a word of English. He dropped our group of seven travelers off at a side entrance without a single word. Fortunately, one couple in our group spoke fluent English and French. They asked the driver three simple questions: Where do we enter? Where do we meet our tour guide? Where and when is the return pick up? The driver's only answer was a shrug of his shoulders as he departed. After entering the side entrance security, the seven of us roamed the massive square in front of the palace looking for our unidentified guide and seeking information to no avail. Not knowing what else to do, we entered the long admissions line. A fellow traveler called Viator directly. After being on hold for a considerable time, our fellow traveler was told the local tour provider, PARIS BUSINESS AND TRAVEL, would call immediately. The call NEVER CAME. After standing in the admissions line for well over an hour, one of our fellow travelers heard his name being called out. Alas, it was our tour guide, which was a miracle amid thousands of visitors. Fortunately, all seven of us had remained together as a group. Our guide then picked up five more travelers who were waiting for us to be

Our driver was 40 minutes late picking us up in the morning and 30 minutes late picking us up from Versailles. Besides that this was perfect to get you to and from Paris to the palace. Once you are dropped off at the palace, you are on your own to do as you wish. I felt there was a perfect amount of time to explore the palace and gardens. You can rent a golf cart to drive around the gardens 40 euro for an hour, which we did.

Driver picked up promptly and took us to Versaille. He dropped us off at a nearby cafe and parked. He then escorted us to the pre-purchased ticket line. Gave us a few quick details and said to meet back at the cafe at 1. This is not a tour with a person to guide, rather you pick up an audio and walk around independently. Driver was very polite and pre-purchased or “skip the line” tickets are a must because of the insanely long lines to buy tickets at the gate. However, if I were to do trip again, I would save money and take the metro.

What a great way to see Versailles! Our guide, Clare, was fantastic. So so knowledgeable about the palace and it's history. Most importantly to us at least she is Parisian but spoke perfect English slang words and all! We arrived by van with only 8 of us. We were brought up the side entrance where there was no traffic or crowds at all. Entered through the group gate and was handed out tickets. We were whisked through security and into the palace within minutes. Got through the palace and the gardens leisurely. When we came out to take pictures of the front of the palace and the magnificent gates the LINE to get in was ridiculous. Literally hundreds of people. No way those people were ever getting in before it closed. If you're hesitating about the slightly more money for a skip the line ticket or tour.........DO IT!!!! You will be glad you did once you see the general public entrance lines. Ask for Clare - she's one of their best. Also - at the end of our tour, we were supposed to be dropped at either the Arc or somewhere on the Champs de Elysses. We my family wanted to be dropped at a bridge directly across from the Eiffel Tower. The guide took a poll, everyone was in agreement so he dropped us all off at that spot. Nice to have flexibility if the majority agrees!