We started Day Three with a walk across the river, the morning light settling over Sainte‑Chapelle and the surrounding streets. Paris was busy even at that hour, already hustling and ready to move. We were heading for the train to Versailles, and for once, the weather wasn’t trying to drown us.
Down the stairs into the station we went… and straight into a wall of people. The place was absolutely packed. We queued at the ticket machine until a friendly French station attendant rescued us from our confusion. Tickets in hand, we wandered around looking lost until an American lady confirmed we were on the right platform. A small win before the big palace.
The train ride was smooth and comfortable, about 30–40 minutes. And when you step out at Versailles, the palace is impossible to miss, gold, grandeur, and scale all rising in the distance like something out of a painting.
Inside Versailles: Gold, Art, Angels & Royal Bedrooms
Even with an early entry time, the line was huge. We waited around 25 minutes before stepping through the gates. But first, of course, we took the classic selfie on the chequered floor, the one you see in every documentary.
Inside, Versailles is a museum now, but it still feels alive. Room after room is filled with paintings, sculptures, gilded doors, and ceilings that look like they were painted by people who had unlimited time and unlimited money. Angels, clouds, dramatic colours everything is oversized and unapologetically royal.
Walking through the royal bedrooms and private chambers, you can almost imagine the decisions made there, the conversations, the rituals of daily life. Every detail feels intentional, like the building itself is performing.
And then we reached the Hall of Mirrors.
It’s one of those rare places that actually hits you the moment you step inside. The light bounces off the mirrors and chandeliers in a way that feels unreal, like the whole room is glowing from within. Even with the crowds, I found myself slowing down without meaning to, just taking it in. It’s the kind of room that makes you understand why people talk about Versailles the way they do.
The Gardens: Grand Avenues, Lakes & Endless Green
After the palace interior, we stepped out into the gardens and they are enormous.
Manicured lawns. Sculpted hedges. Massive fountains. Long staircases leading down to the Grand Canal which, despite looking rectangular from certain angles, is actually shaped like a giant cross stretching out in four directions. We kept walking and every turn revealed something bigger than the last it felt like the gardens were daring us to find the end.
We wandered for ages, taking photos, exploring the paths, and soaking in the scale of it all.
Back to Paris: Panthéon Views, Emily in Paris & A Toilet That Lied
Eventually we made our way back to the station, bought tickets from the counter, and returned to Paris.
When we stepped off the train, we could see the Panthéon up the hill, so we walked up to check it out. Right nearby is the café from Emily in Paris, which was a fun little pop‑culture moment even though we’re not huge fans of the show.
At one point we tried to use a public toilet that proudly advertised itself as “self‑cleaning.”
The sign lied.
We closed the door and walked away immediately.
On the way back down, we found a souvenir shop selling 10 Eiffel Tower keyrings for €10, an easy win for gifts.
We crossed the bridge and finally saw Notre‑Dame in person. Even under restoration, it’s breathtaking, towering and intricate.
After that, we headed back to the hotel for a rest before dinner.
The Unexpected Magic of a Paris Laundromat
This is where the real Paris magic happened and we weren’t expecting it.
We decided to do some laundry before dinner, so we took our clothes with us and found a laundromat a few blocks from the hotel. The streets around it were exactly the Paris you imagine from films: cafés, bakeries, corner restaurants, little shops with warm lights spilling onto the pavement.
We put our clothes in the machine and wandered around. That’s when we found a bakery selling healthy meals and some very unique‑looking chocolate éclairs.
Naturally, we bought a couple.
We walked the streets eating our dinner pastries, enjoying the warm afternoon air. And when we bit into the éclairs… they were incredible. Rich, smooth, perfectly balanced, the kind of pastry that makes you stop walking for a second.
It was one of those perfect travel moments: beautiful streets, delicious food, golden light, and absolutely no rush. A simple laundromat run turned into one of our favourite memories of the entire trip.
How You Can Do This Too
The Palace and Gardens require paid tickets. Book online through the official Versailles website to lock in your entry time, it sells out on busy days. The gardens are free only on non‑fountain‑show days; on fountain days, they require a ticket too. The RER C train is a standard metro fare.
A Note on How Busy Versailles Really Is
Versailles is stunning, but it’s also busy, far busier than most first‑time visitors expect. Even with an early entry time, the crowds build quickly, especially around the Hall of Mirrors and the main state rooms. The palace handles thousands of people a day, and you feel it. But the scale of the place absorbs the chaos, and once you step into the gardens, everything opens up and the space feels almost endless. It’s worth knowing going in, so you can pace yourself and enjoy the experience rather than fight it.
Viewing the cathedral from the outside is completely free. The interior is still under restoration, so no tickets are required. The surrounding area, bridges, river views, and the square out front is open to the public.
Visit the Panthéon
This one requires a ticket, which you can buy at the door or online. It’s usually not crowded, so same‑day entry is easy. The exterior and the surrounding square are free to explore.
Visit the Emily in Paris Café
Head to Terra Nera, 18 Rue des Fossés Saint‑Jacques, the filming location for the café in Emily in Paris. It’s right near the Panthéon. Grab a coffee or lunch and enjoy the novelty of seeing a familiar TV spot in real life.
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