Paris Day Trip - This Paris day trip Paris visits the Royal Castle of Versailles. You enjoy a tour of the palace interior and free time to enjoy the famous gardens, fountains and reflecting pools.

Upon arrival in Versailles you start with a tour of the chateau which was built over the period of 1623 to 1710. It was started by Louis XIII, then continued by his son Louis XIV and finished by Louis XV. Originally it was as a hunting manor, but was continually added on to, making the grand palace it is today. The building is so large that at one point over 10,000 people lived in it, including the entire royal court, the government and their servants. The interior highlights include the Hall of Mirrors, the King's Apartments and the Queen's Apartments.

After visiting the main palace you have time to explore the gardens. Due to overcrowding Louis XIV had a small palace (Le Petite Trianon) built in the woods behind the chateau so that his immediate family could vacation away from the main building. Louis XV's wife, Marie Antoinette, had a small farm (L'Hameau) built around a pond so she too could escape the crowds and play at being an idyllic shepherdess complete with perfumed sheep!

The formal grounds, fountains, reflecting pools, lakes, smaller palace and hamlet are just as impressive as the main building. At the end of this Paris day trip, you are brought back to your hotel in Paris.