How to Skip the Line at the Palace of Versailles: A Stress-Free Guide

Want to skip the long lines at the Palace of Versailles? Discover a simple breakfast reservation hack for a seamless and stress-free visit

If you're planning a trip to the Palace of Versailles, you’re probably dreading the infamous long lines. As someone who recently visited with my family—including a 17-month-old toddler—I can tell you that standing in line is the last thing you want to do. But guess what? I discovered a "hack" that not only helped us skip the line but also made our visit so much more enjoyable. Here's how you can do the same!

The Game-Changing Hack

Before our 3-week Euro trip, I stumbled upon a TikTok video that revealed a brilliant way to skip the lines at Versailles. With a toddler in tow, I was willing to try anything to avoid the crowds—and it worked like a charm! This was my second visit to the Palace (my husband’s first), and after a previous experience with overwhelming crowds, I was determined to make this trip smoother. Here's how we did it:

Step 1: Book a Breakfast at Ore Ducasse

The key to skipping the line is making a breakfast reservation at the Ore Ducasse restaurant, located right at the Palace of Versailles. I made our reservation for 9:30 AM, which gave us plenty of time to enjoy the Gardens (which open at 8 AM) and the Estate of Trianon later in the day.

When booking, I selected the "Breakfast & Skip the Line Ticket" option for 50 euros per person. This package includes a delicious breakfast and a special "Skip-the-Line" ticket that gives you direct access to the Castle. Note: This ticket only covers entry to the Castle, so you'll need to purchase separate tickets for the Gardens here.

Step 2: Enjoy a Luxurious Breakfast

“We had a beautiful view of the Versailles courtyard while enjoying our meal, making the experience even more special.”

Our breakfast at Ore Ducasse was nothing short of delightful. The menu included:

• Hot or iced drink of your choice

• Fresh fruit juice

• Country bread with butter, jam, or honey

• Assortment of two mini pastries

• Organic eggs (fried, scrambled, or boiled)

• Sausages and tomato

• Optional add-ons like Salmon Benedictine (for a small supplement)

• A choice of homemade beef sausages, veal pastrami bacon, or raw vegetables

  
  

Not only was the food excellent, but the ambiance was also perfect. We had a beautiful view of the Versailles courtyard while enjoying our meal, making the experience even more special.

Step 3: Skip the Line

After breakfast, the real magic happened. A staff member at the restaurant personally escorted us to a separate entrance, bypassing the long lines outside. We were through security in under two minutes and ready to start our day at Versailles without the usual stress of waiting.

Explore the Gardens with Ease

“Given their vastness, we decided to rent a golf cart for an hour, which was a game-changer.”

While the Palace itself is a must-see, the Gardens of Versailles are absolutely magnificent. Given their vastness, we decided to rent a golf cart for an hour, which was a game-changer. Our son loved the ride, and we were able to cover much more ground than we would have on foot. Plus, we could stop and take photos whenever we wanted, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

If you’re visiting the Palace of Versailles, I highly recommend making a breakfast reservation at Ore Ducasse and selecting the "Skip-the-Line" option. It made our visit so much more enjoyable and stress-free, especially with a toddler. When we go back with the rest of our family, we’ll definitely be doing this again!

So, skip the lines, enjoy a luxurious breakfast, and start your day at Versailles the right way. You won’t regret it!