Beyond the RER: 5 Scenic Ways to Travel Between Paris and Versailles

Back when I was hauling electronics between Montreal and NYC, I'd always find time to stop and cycle through small towns along my route. That same spirit led me to discover Vélo Vintage, which offers the most picturesque bike journey from Paris to Versailles you could imagine.

The 17km route follows the Seine most of the way, passing through charming villages like Sèvres (known for its porcelain). You'll pedal through wooded areas where the city noise fades completely—I swear it feels like time travel. The bikes themselves are these gorgeous vintage French models that make for killer Instagram moments.

My partner and I rented a couple of these beauties last summer, packed a picnic in my insulated backpack, and made a day of it. We stopped halfway at a riverside spot, spread out our picnic blanket and popped a bottle of champagne. The ride takes about 2-3 hours depending on your pace and how many times you stop to take photos (which will be often, trust me).

If you've got some extra euros to splash and want to really impress your other half, this is my top recommendation. Several companies offer private boat services from central Paris to Versailles, and it's the kind of bougie experience that's actually worth the splurge.

The boats depart from the Port de la Conférence near the Eiffel Tower and cruise along the Seine, passing under ornate bridges and past landmarks you'd miss from the train. Some services include a champagne service and light bites, but I recommend bringing your own special bottle and some artisanal French snacks.

Last time I did this, I brought my portable Bluetooth speaker and created a playlist mixing French classics with some chill electronic tracks (my specialty). The boat captain was totally cool with it, and cruising past Parisian landmarks with Daft Punk as your soundtrack is peak travel goals.

The journey takes about 2-3 hours, and you'll dock at Port de Versailles, just a short walk from the palace grounds. It's not cheap at €150-300 depending on the boat and services, but split between two people for a special occasion? Totally worth it.

This one's for my fellow gearheads who appreciate vintage style with modern reliability. Several companies in Paris offer classic car rentals or guided tours specifically designed for the Paris-Versailles route. My personal favorite is Paris Classic Tour, which lets you choose between iconic models like the Citroën 2CV or vintage Fiat 500s.

Last September, my best friend was visiting from San Diego, and we splurged on a cherry-red Citroën DS convertible. The rental came with a custom-planned scenic route that avoided highways in favor of tree-lined country roads and passed through the Forêt de Meudon. The feeling of cruising those roads with the top down, wind in our hair, was pure magic.

Before setting off, I made sure to bring my driving gloves to complete the vintage vibe. We also packed a travel thermos filled with coffee for those early morning starts—nothing beats sipping hot coffee while driving through misty French countryside at dawn.

The journey takes about 1-2 hours depending on your route and stops. Some companies offer self-drive options if you're comfortable driving in France, while others provide a chauffeur (which means you can both enjoy the champagne along the way).

This option combines my love for both efficient travel and unexpected adventure. Electric scooters have taken Paris by storm, and while they're controversial among locals, they offer an incredibly fun way to reach Versailles if you're up for a bit of an adventure.

The route I've perfected starts in central Paris, cuts through the magnificent Bois de Boulogne (Paris's largest park), and then follows dedicated bike paths most of the way to Versailles. The entire journey is about 20km and takes roughly 2 hours with stops.

Last spring, my daughter and I rented electric scooters from Lime (download their app in advance) and packed light with just my crossbody sling bag carrying our essentials. We stopped halfway at the Étang de la Marche lake for a breather and to watch local families sailing tiny boats.

Fair warning: this option requires some confidence with navigating and riding scooters. You'll need to download the route in advance, and I highly recommend bringing a phone mount so you can follow directions hands-free. The payoff is worth it though—you'll see parts of Paris and its surroundings that most tourists never discover.

As someone who spends most workdays behind a wheel, I have a deep appreciation for slowing down and actually using my legs when traveling. That's why this last option might be my secret favorite—a guided walking tour that connects Paris to Versailles via several charming villages most tourists never see.

Several small tour companies offer these specialized walks, typically limited to groups of 8-10 people. The full journey is broken into manageable segments with stops for refreshments, local history, and hidden viewpoints. The complete route covers about 16km (10 miles), but it's done at a leisurely pace over 6-7 hours.

The route passes through Sèvres (famous for porcelain), Chaville (with its historic church), and Viroflay (known for its food market). Each village offers a glimpse into authentic French life outside the tourist zones. When my mom visited last year, we took this tour, and she still talks about the tiny bakery in Chaville where we had the best pain au chocolat of our lives.

For this kind of all-day walking adventure, comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. I swear by my walking shoes which have never given me blisters, even on 15+ mile days. I also recommend bringing a water bottle with filter so you can refill safely at public fountains along the way.