How do the fountains at the Palace of Versailles work?


How do the fountains at the Palace of Versailles work? Fourteen hydraulic wheels—each 33 feet in diameter—worked with 251 suction and treading pumps to push water uphill along a set of pipes and two other pumping stations to the Tour de Levant, the first of two towers anchoring the Louveciennes Aqueduct on each end.


Do the fountains at Versailles still work?

Most of the fountains are still opened manually by the hydrant men. During the Versailles Fountain Show, you will see them wandering around the fountains, and they still use the same keys to open and close the Fountains from the times of the Sun King!


Is 4 hours enough for Versailles?

To tour the inside of the palace thoroughly, it takes around 2-3 hours. Allow longer if you want to explore the gardens.


Can you wear sneakers to Versailles?

If you do not plan on renting a golf cart or bike and want to explore the gardens or other areas of the Versailles estate, make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Sneakers will be the best choice as there are some areas where you have to walk on dirt and/or rock pebbles.


Do the fountains at Versailles run every day?

Water displays of the Musical Fountains Show on Tuesdays and some public holidays (Friday April 7th, Monday April 10th, Monday May 8th, Monday May 29th and Friday July 14th 2023) : from 10am to 6.45pm*, 5 minutes every 15 minutes.


Is Versailles cheaper than Paris?

Cost of Living Comparison Between Paris and Versailles You would need around 4,830.0€ in Versailles to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 5,300.0€ in Paris (assuming you rent in both cities).


Why were there no bathrooms in Versailles?

Rooms with toilets, cesspools, and drainage systems only started to become common in the 19th century. At the Palace of Versailles, people would conduct their business in the corridors or in the gardens. In 1715, it was decreed that once a week the feces would be collected from the corridors.


Is 2 hours enough for Versailles?

To tour the inside of the palace thoroughly, it takes around 2-3 hours. Allow longer if you want to explore the gardens.


Is half a day enough for Versailles?

Within half a day, you will have the opportunity of discovering all the richness of the castle, visiting the Hall of Mirrors and the royal apartments inside, but also the famous French style gardens. We propose two visits each day, departure from Paris center. The ideal formula to discover Versailles in half a day !


What days to avoid Versailles?

Visit during the week One of the top ten most visited sites in France, the Château de Versailles gets its biggest crowds on the weekends and Tuesday mornings (it is closed on Mondays). So aim to visit between Wednesday and Friday. The result? Less waiting and a smoother visit around the palace.


Is there a toilet in Versailles?

There are several toilets and free changing tables for babies at your disposal all over the Estate. In the Palace, there are toilets and changing tables before the ticket checks in the South Ministers' Wing and after the ticket checks in the basement of the Dufour Pavilion (Entrance A).


How strict is Versailles about entry times?

Passport tickets with timed entry grant priority admission and are valid for thirty minutes every hour, at 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Priority admission to the Palace is permitted once only at the booked time on the ticket. There is no timed entry for the estate of Trianon.


Do I need to bring my passport to Versailles?

No, a national identity card/passport, or a digital copy of it, is sufficient. Are the Palace Gardens open on Mondays? Yes, although the Palace and Trianon's Estate are closed, the Palace Gardens and the Park are open and admission is free.


How much would a 16 year old pay to visit Versailles?

Access to the Palace and the estate of Trianon is free for visitors under 18 (or under 26 residing in the EU).


Does Versailles still smell today?

While it smells fine now, hygiene practices (or the lack thereof) in France during Louis XIII's reign meant that the palace smelled like urine, fecal matter, and more. Some claim that a lack of toilets in the palace even led some visitors to relieve themselves behind curtains and pillars.