This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure page for more details.
Versailles with Kids & the Grand Ball: A Magical Family Adventure
If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting Versailles with kids, you’ll love this episode of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast. Host Annie Sargent chats with Katie Danger, an American mom who has lived in Versailles for more than ten years. Katie runs Welcome to Versailles, a website and social media project helping families plan their visits to the Château de Versailles and its surrounding neighborhoods.
Listen to this episode ad-free
This conversation is packed with practical travel tips, local insights, and family-tested advice. Whether you’re visiting for a day trip from Paris or planning a weekend getaway, you’ll find out how to enjoy Versailles with Kids & the Grand Ball in a way that’s fun, stress-free, and uniquely French.
Planning Your Visit to Versailles
Katie explains that many visitors underestimate how big Versailles really is. The Palace of Versailles, the gardens, the Grand Canal, and the Trianon Palaces together cover an enormous area. With kids, it’s best to plan your day around what they’ll enjoy most rather than trying to see everything.
The palace itself can be crowded, especially in summer. Katie recommends starting with the gardens, where children can move freely. Rent bikes or take the small tourist train to reach the Petit Trianon, Grand Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet, Marie-Antoinette’s picturesque countryside retreat.
If you can, visit during spring or early fall. The weather is pleasant, the gardens are lush, and there are fewer crowds.
Family-Friendly Activities in Versailles
Versailles isn’t just about palaces. Katie shares wonderful local experiences that families love:
- The Market of Notre-Dame — one of the best open-air markets in France, filled with cheese stalls, seasonal produce, and pastries.
- Picnics by the Grand Canal — a classic Versailles experience. Pack local goodies and enjoy the view of the fountains and swans.
- Boating on the Grand Canal — rent a rowboat for a peaceful ride through royal scenery.
- Playgrounds and green spaces — especially near the Parc Balbi and Jardin du Potager du Roi, which kids find fascinating.
Versailles also hosts special musical fountain shows in summer evenings — a treat for the whole family.
The Grand Ball of Versailles
One of the most unique experiences in France is attending the Grand Bal de Versailles, a spectacular masked costume ball held in the palace itself. Katie attended the ball with friends and shares what it’s really like — from finding the perfect 18th-century gown to dancing under glittering chandeliers.
It’s not something to do with small kids, but it’s an unforgettable adult experience for anyone who loves history, elegance, and a bit of theater. Annie and Katie talk about what to expect: live orchestras, fireworks, and thousands of elaborately dressed guests.
If you’re traveling as a family, you can still enjoy the festive spirit by watching the fountain shows or visiting the palace in the late afternoon when the golden light hits the Hall of Mirrors — pure magic!
Living in Versailles
Katie also gives Annie a peek into daily life in Versailles — far quieter and greener than Paris, yet full of culture. She describes how her family shops at local bakeries, enjoys long walks in the park, and loves the small-town community feel. Versailles, she says, is the perfect mix of “royal history and real life.”
She encourages visitors to stay overnight instead of just doing a quick day trip. It allows you to experience the palace after the crowds leave and enjoy a peaceful dinner in town.
Links Mentioned in the Episode
- Welcome to Versailles (Katie’s website)
- Hotel Le Louis
- Château de Versailles official site
- Grand Bal de Versailles event site
- Musical Fountain Shows information
- Versailles Market (Marché Notre-Dame)
- Petit and Grand Trianon visitor info
- Queen’s Hamlet (Hameau de la Reine)
- Bike and rowboat rentals at the Grand Canal
Listen and Subscribe
If you’re planning a family trip to France or just love French history, you don’t want to miss this episode of the Join Us in France Travel Podcast. Listen to Versailles with Kids & the Grand Ball on your favorite podcast app, Spotify, or YouTube.
Subscribe now for weekly inspiration, practical France travel tips, and stories that bring the country’s history and culture to life. Whether it’s Paris, Provence, or the Pyrenees, Annie Sargent and her guests help you experience real France — one episode at a time.
Table of Contents for this Episode
More eisodes about visiting France with children
#JoinUsInFrance, #FrancePodcast, #TravelFrance, #FrenchCulture, #ExploreFrance, #DiscoverFrance, #FranceTravelTips, #RealFrance, #Francophile, #FranceAdventures, #VersaillesWithKids, #FamilyTravelFrance, #GrandBallVersailles, #VersaillesPalace, #FamilyTripIdeas, #HiddenFrance, #ParisDayTrips, #TravelWithKids, #FrenchHistory, #CulturalTravel
FOLLOW US ON:
Subscribe to the Podcast
Apple Google Spotify RSSSupport the Show
Tip Your Guides Extras Patreon Audio Tours