Wandering Versailles? Here’s What Else You Can’t Miss Nearby

After exploring the palace, step into charming gardens, cafés, and hidden streets nearby.

Published: March 11, 2026
Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles dazzles with gold, grandeur, and gardens you could get lost in for days. But why stop at royalty? Just a short walk, pedal, or ride away, the area around Versailles opens up all kinds of possibilities for culture, cuisine, and classic Parisian fun. Whether you’ve got a serious art itch, a soft spot for chocolate, or love the idea of a sunset atop a Paris skyscraper, we’ve found nearby experiences that will keep your royal adventure rolling. Here are our favorite things to do near the Palace of Versailles—making your trip more memorable, one brilliant pit stop at a time. 

Our top things to do near the Palace of Versailles include: 

  • Stroll the Gardens of Versailles 
  • Discover the Orangerie Museum 
  • Savor a Parisian Wine Tasting at Ô Chateau 
  • Dive into History at Musée d'Orsay 
  • Sample Gourmet Treats at the Gourmet Chocolate Museum 
  • See it All from the Tour Montparnasse Observatory 
  • Cruise Down the Seine with Bateaux Parisiens 
  • Step into Modern Art at Centre Pompidou 
  • Explore Notre Dame’s Stunning Surrounds 
  • Reach for the Stars at the Paris Science Museum 

Gardens of Versailles: A Royal Stroll Without the Crowds 

Once you’ve finished gawping at the palace interiors, step outside to discover Versailles’ true wow factor—the Gardens. You’ll find endless paths to wander, dotted with perfectly trimmed hedges, elegant statues, and fountains (which, if timed right, put on an impressive musical show). It's the very picture of French formal garden design, but also a playground for wanderers. Feel free to rent a bike or boat for a totally different perspective, or just find a shady bench for prime people-watching. The further you walk from the main palace, the quieter and more tranquil the gardens become. Royal vibes without the selfie sticks—what’s not to love? 

Orangerie Museum: Monet’s Water Lilies and More 

Hop on the RER train and you’ll reach the Orangerie Museum in Paris in about 35 minutes—an easy next stop after a palace morning. The ambience is serene, the building is elegant, and the luminous oval rooms are filled with Monet’s legendary Water Lilies (Nymphéas). There’s something soothing about drifting between these enormous paintings, soaking up all those dreamy blues and greens. Downstairs, the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collections deliver a who’s who of late-19th and early-20th-century art, including Modigliani, Matisse, and Picasso. This hidden gem offers a perfect hit of art without the crowds. 

Ô Chateau: Wine and Cheese Tasting

Wine and Cheese Tasting

If wandering royal hallways sparks your inner sommelier, make time for wine tasting at Ô Chateau back in Paris. It’s a delightful way to blend culture, education, and a little indulgence. Their signature tastings—led in perfect English—walk you through carefully curated flights of French wines, each paired with a story and a smile. You’ll leave knowing your Bordeaux from your Beaujolais, and you might even spot locals picking up bottles in the shop. The ambience is pure Parisian wine bar: warm, inviting, and a little bit fancy (without any snobbery). Charcuterie plates and clever cheese pairings finish the experience. Cheers! 

Musée d'Orsay: Impressionist Masterpieces in a Stunning Setting 

A trip to the Musée d’Orsay transforms any day trip into an art lover’s dream. Housed in a former Beaux-Arts railway station, its soaring clocks and cast-iron architecture are stars all on their own. But let’s be honest—you’re here for the Impressionists, and this place delivers, from vast Monet landscapes to Degas’ famous ballerinas. Wandering these galleries is like flipping through the greatest hits of French art: Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Caillebotte’s rainy streets, Renoir’s joy-filled scenes. The café inside offers up artfully frothed coffee with a grand view, making this a destination you’ll want to linger in. 

Gourmet Chocolate Museum: A Sweet Detour 

What could possibly follow up Versailles’ indulgence? Chocolate. The Gourmet Chocolate Museum (Musée Gourmand du Chocolat) in central Paris invites you to dive into the delicious—and deliciously French—history of chocolate. The museum is wonderfully interactive, from tasting sessions to demonstrations where master chocolatiers pour, temper, and sculpt truffles right before your eyes. Discover how cocoa was once fit only for kings, then sample fragrant bars, pralines, and even the occasional spicy Aztec recipe. The vibe is playful and hands-on—perfect for families, foodies, and anyone with a sweet tooth dreaming of souvenirs that won’t last long. 

Tour Montparnasse: Paris’ Best Panoramic Views 

Want a view over Paris fit for a king? After your Versailles adventure, rocket up to the 56th floor of Tour Montparnasse. As soon as you step out onto the observation terrace, you’ll catch sight of the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, Montmartre—and on clear days, all the way back to Versailles. The glassy, modern space is a fun counterpoint to the palace’s old-world glamour, and there’s a champagne bar for bonus sparkle. We love timing a visit for sunset, when the city bathes in golden light and the twinkling streetlights start to glow. There’s no spot quite like it! 

Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise: Parisian Sights by Water 

For a truly relaxing end to a busy day, board a Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise. These boats glide past some of Paris’ most celebrated monuments: Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and more—all lit up like a dream after dark. The audio guides are peppered with the kind of curious stories and fun facts you’ll actually remember. With options for lunch or dinner on board (book in advance for a table at the front!), you can pair your sightseeing with classic French fare. Watching the city drift by with a glass of wine in hand? Très chic. 

Centre Pompidou: Modern Art and Rooftop Views 

Craving bold architecture and even bolder art? Swing by the Centre Pompidou after your Versailles journey. Inside this futuristic structure, you’ll find one of the world’s most exuberant collections of modern and contemporary art—think Picasso, Kandinsky, Dali and more, plus ever-changing exhibitions that keep things fresh and surprising. The building’s see-through tubes and colorful pipes add a playful edge, and a ride up the glass escalator hands you a knockout view of the Paris rooftops. Even the bookstore and café have a creative energy. Come for the art, stay for the scene. 

Notre Dame & Île de la Cité: A Slice of Medieval Paris

Notre Dame

No Paris itinerary is complete without a stop by Notre Dame, just under an hour’s train ride from Versailles. The cathedral’s towers and intricate façade are as striking as ever, but what truly makes this neighborhood sing are its charming streets and river views. Stroll along the Seine, dip into tiny bookshops, or nibble pastries from a bakery with a view of soaring spires. Sunday markets, leafy squares, and the vibrant buzz of nearby cafes make this an endearing, can’t-miss slice of the city. 

Paris Science Museum: Hands-On Fun for All Ages 

Traveling with curious kids—or just young at heart? Add the Paris Science Museum (Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie) to your post-Versailles itinerary. Interactive, fascinating, and packed with clever exhibits, this is science with a side of pure play. Step into a planetarium, try out hands-on experiments, or wander colorful pavilions dedicated to space, transport, and the human brain. The vibrant energy sparks curiosity in visitors of any age. Best of all, the museum’s sprawling La Villette park outside is perfect for a wander or a fresh-air picnic—you’ll forget you’re right in the heart of Paris. 

 

Ready to make your next stop after Versailles just as memorable as the palace itself? Beyond the golden gates lies a world full of charm, from panoramic viewpoints to wine tastings and scenic boat cruises, all waiting to be enjoyed. Whether you’re after culture, adventure, or simply a new perspective on Versailles, there’s plenty to keep your journey rolling long after your palace tour ends. 

Enjoyed this? Check out Everything You Need to Know About Go City's Paris Passes or Things to Do Near Tour Montparnasse 

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Moulin Rouge
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The Greatest Indoor Activities in Paris

Even the sexiest of cities can occasionally have their allure dampened by a downpour, and Paris is no exception. Fortunately, France’s capital is awash with amazing things to see and do indoors – and beneath the streets – when the weather messes with your plans. From cabaret to the catacombs, church tours to cheese and wine tastings, there are more interesting indoor activities in Paris than you might expect. You’ll find a selection of our favorites below. Galleries and Museums Centre Pompidou This cultural mecca’s ‘inside-out’ architecture – all exposed air ducts and pipework in bold primary colors – make it something of a work of art in itself. Visitors can admire the view from a glass-covered external escalator that ascends all six stories. 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There’s enough foliage to fill a dozen Instagram feeds and that’s before you even get to the astonishing collection of indigenous art and cultural artifacts from around the world, including a monumental medieval Moai head from Easter Island and a brightly decorated Volkswagen from Mexico. Rodin Museum Gallic legend Auguste Rodin is that rarest of creatures: a sculptor who became a household name. Visit the former hotel where he lived out his last years and which now homes many of his finest pieces as well as showcasing some of his own personal collection of artworks by Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and more. A number of busts as well as career highlights including The Kiss are exhibited inside the Rodin Museum while out in the delightful jardin is where you’ll find his Monument to Balzac and The Thinker brooding among the perfectly sculpted trees and hedges. Going Underground The Paris Catacombs Did you know there’s a secret city deep beneath the streets of Paris that runs to over 130 kilometers of tunnels, passageways, sewers and secret chambers? Not for the faint of heart, the labyrinthine ossuary that comprises the Paris Catacombs lies 20 meters underground and contains the mortal remains of over six million Parisians, relocated here from overflowing Paris cemeteries in the 18th and 19th centuries. Brave the 1.5km circuit through this maze of tunnels for a truly bone-chilling experience. Musée du Vin Grape aficionados will find much to enjoy in the vaulted cellars of the Musée du Vin, not least the part at the end where you’ll get a chance to sample a glass of the good stuff from the museum’s own vineyard. Before that, you’ll learn the history of wine- and Champagne-making in the atmospheric surroundings of these underground limestone caverns, originally used by Order of Minim friars in the 15th Century. 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Grab a pain au chocolat and stroll past watchmakers’ windows, jewelry stores and much more along its narrow length. Galeries Lafayette Galeries Lafayette Haussmann elevates your shopping trip from mere retail to a near-religious experience. Marvel at the ornate galleries and cathedral-like five-story atrium that’s topped with a remarkable steel-and-class cupola. Designed by glass artist Jacques Grüber in the early 20th Century, this soaring 43-meter-high masterpiece is the building’s pièce de résistance, flowering out magnificently from the rooftop. There’s a terrace up here, too, from where widescreen views of the city skyline – including the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral and Sacré Cœur – reward those with a head for heights. Tours are available. Inside this chic Paris mega-mall, there are 65,000 square meters of big-name boutiques to explore, with luxury brands from Armani to Zadig & Voltaire, plus a Decléor spa, hair salons, Chanel treatment booths and 20+ cafés and restaurants. If that’s not enough to keep you entertained all day long, Galeries Lafayette also offers a range of none-more-Parisian bolt-on experiences including a catwalk fashion show and a macaron-making class, where you’ll learn to make the delicate French fancies, before tucking into your creations. Booking is essential. That’s Entertainment Life is a cabaret, old chum, and nowhere more so than in Paris. No visit here would be complete without experiencing at least one of the dazzling array of cabaret and risqué burlesque shows on offer. Naturellement, the Moulin Rouge with its iconic red windmill is the best-known (and arguably the best), but there are dozens more to choose from, running the gamut from old-fashioned crooners, can-cans and audience sing-alongs to high-octane acrobatics and modern dance. Whichever show you opt for, expect lavish costumes, bags of energy and a healthy dollop of high camp. Cinephiles are also spoilt for choice in Paris, where the majority of cinemas screen movies in their original language with French subtitles, meaning language needn’t be a barrier to catching a classic or enjoying the latest blockbuster. Settle in at atmospheric old picture houses including the Louxor, a stunning century-old mash-up of Egyptian and Art Deco design, and the Grand Rex, home to one of the biggest screens in Europe. Pro-tip: the French word for ‘popcorn’ is ‘popcorn’ so you can even leave the phrasebook at home! Save on indoor activities in Paris Save on admission to Paris attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
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