Palace of Versailles luggage storage

About Palace of Versailles

Almost 10 million visitors make the trip to the Palace of Versailles every year. That’s enough to make it one of the most visited historic attractions in the world. Partly, that’s because Versailles is so easy to get to. Only 10 miles from Paris, Versailles has excellent public transit connections to the capital of France.

But even if it were far harder to reach, the Palace of Versailles would still be well worth a visit. It's one of those locations that has had an outsized impact on world history. As well as being the home of the ultimately ill-fated French monarchy, the Palace has hosted some of the world's most significant historical events.

Versailles started out as a hunting lodge. It was Louis XIV who transformed it into a Château in 1682 when he moved the entire French court and government to Versailles. Subsequent rulers expanded and renovated the Palace as though trying to outdo one another in opulence and extravagance. Notably, the palace complex was home to Louis XVI and his Queen, Marie Antoinette, the last rulers of France before the Revolution.

Following the abolition of the French monarchy, the Palace became the property of the state. It was here that the Peace of Paris was signed in 1783 between the British Empire and the newly independent United States. It was here that the German Empire was proclaimed in 1871. And it was here that the Treaty of Versailles was signed, bringing the First World War to a close.

Things to do near Palace of Versailles

The town of Versailles has been dominated by the Palace since its beginning, and that's still true today. The palace complex itself is huge and contains many different buildings and attractions. You could spend days in Versailles and still not see it all.

• Admire the wealth and power of the rulers of France in the Royal Apartments. The King's Apartment still looks more or less as it did during the reign of Louis XIV, and the extravagance of the chambers will take your breath away. The Queen's apartment was renovated in the late 18th century prior to the revolution, so it reflects the tastes of that time period.
• Marvel at the famous Hall of Mirrors. Generally recognized as the finest room in the Palace, the richly decorated hall of mirrors was designed to impress state visitors to France, and is still sometimes used for that purpose today. It's also the room where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919.
• Stretch your legs and breathe some fresh air in the immaculately maintained gardens of the Palace. The sprawling gardens contain the famous Grand Canal and an orangery with more than 1,000 orange trees.
• See a quaint - if inauthentic - medieval Hamlet at Hameau de la Reine. The half-timbered cottages with their thatched roofs may seem as though they date back from the middle ages, but this hamlet was actually built in the 18th century for Queen Marie Antoinette to take a step back in time and get away from the pressures of the court.
• Visit the largest outdoor farmers market in the region at the Marche Notre-Dame. Take a break from the Palace at this lively market that takes place every day of the week in the village of Versailles. Pick up unique souvenirs and enjoy the local produce at this vibrant market.

Transit options near Palace of Versailles

• Train line RER C5 connects Paris to Versailles Rive Gauche station, which is approximately a five-minute walk from the Palace. It takes around 35 minutes to make the journey, and trains run every 15 minutes.
• Bus route 171 connects Pont de Sevres station on Paris Metro Line 9 to the Palace of Versailles. The journey takes around 30 minutes. You can also take a dedicated tour bus from Paris straight to the Palace.
• Versailles has a good bus network to bring people from its three train stations to the Palace. Inside the palace grounds, you can also hire a motorized golf cart so you can get around more easily.

Luggage storage at Palace of Versailles

The palace complex covers a huge area of land, and no matter how long you spend here, you'll be doing plenty of walking. Just wandering around inside the seemingly endless halls of the Palace will rack up the miles. With all that walking to do, you won't want to carry heavy bags.

Bounce can make your trip easier by providing luggage storage near the Palace of Versailles. Drop off any sized bags for as long as you like and know they’ll be safely stored until you return. You wouldn’t catch Louis XVI carrying his own bags, so you shouldn’t either.

Activities and attractions near the Palace of Versailles

• Royal Opera: The Royal Opera was opened at Versailles in 1770 to entertain the royal family and the court. This gorgeous opera house still host shows today, and if you're lucky enough to get a ticket, it's the perfect way to enjoy some culture as French royalty did. Even if opera is not your thing, the theater is still worth visiting on a tour to see what constituted a state-of-the-art entertainment complex in the 18th century. Of course, the opera is no place to bring heavy bags, so make sure you leave yours behind at a luggage storage service in Versailles before you visit.
• Chartres: A little over an hour from Versailles, you’ll find the medieval city of Chartres. Famous for its beautiful cathedral that dates back to the 13th century, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a marvel of medieval architecture and offers a glimpse into French history that long predates the Bourbon dynasty. The city is also home to a Picasso Museum in a house where the artist once lived.
• Château de Malmaison: See the home of another famous French ruler at the Château de Malmaison. The residence of the Empress Josephine, this impressive estate was the last home of Napoleon Bonaparte before his exile from France. An on-site museum tells the story of one of history's most famous figures. Large bags are not permitted inside, so make sure you drop yours off in Versailles at a storage facility before visiting.