VIP Versailles Bike & Palace Day Trip, Paris

Start your full-day guided bike adventure with a short train ride from Paris to Versailles, stopping at an open-air market to pick up supplies for a picnic lunch. Afterward, you'll pedal through the Royal Domain, exploring notable sites, including Marie Antoinette's private estate, while learning intriguing historical anecdotes. You'll then sit for a picnic before heading to the Palace of Versailles to see the private and stately apartments, the famous Hall of Mirrors, and the formal gardens. A must-do for history buffs and culture vultures, this small group experience best suits those 12 years and older.

Your adventure begins in Paris, where you'll meet your guide near a designated train station for a short, scenic 35-minute train ride to Versailles. Upon arrival, your pre-arranged bikes will be waiting for you. Your first stop will be the busy open-air market. Here, you'll have the opportunity to explore the buzzy stalls brimming with fresh bread, cheeses, meats, and other local delicacies, of which your guide will offer tips to help you navigate and gather supplies for your picturesque picnic lunch later in the day.

Once everyone is equipped with picnic supplies stored in bike panniers, you'll begin to cycle the 2,000-acre (809 ha) Royal Domain. The ride is at a comfortable pace, covering about 7 miles (11 km) of mostly flat terrain, with frequent stops about every 15 minutes to delve into the history and scandals of the French monarchy. Listen to your knowledgeable guide share stories about Louis XIV, the Sun King, and Marie Antoinette, providing a captivating (and entertaining) narrative of their lives and legacies. When it's time, you'll stop by the Grand Canal for your picnic lunch, taking in the peaceful views, including the famous palace.

After lunch, the fun continues. You'll visit King Louis XIV's Grand Trianon, an exquisite marble summer home with beautiful French gardens before pedaling to the Petit Trianon, a private retreat built for Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV's favorite mistress. Next, a short walk leads you to Marie Antoinette's private hameau (hamlet), where you'll spend around 45 minutes on foot, wandering through English-style gardens and admiring the quaint village she had constructed. This part of the experience offers a unique glimpse into the more personal side of the French royals' lives.

The final highlight of your day is exploring the Palace of Versailles itself. Your guide will escort you to the entrance, where you'll bid farewell, and then have about an hour of following a palace guide as you tour the King's Apartments, typically cordoned off to the general public. You'll get to see these 12 different rooms, including King Louis XIV's study and bedroom—an excellent way to experience the palace's beauty without jostling for space with the crowds. Afterward, you can marvel at the opulent Hall of Mirrors, the displayed royal apartments, and other impressively ornate rooms at your own pace before returning to Paris.