A Travel Price Comparison for France Versailles vs. Calais for Attractions, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Versailles or Calais?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Versailles or Calais, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Versailles

Versailles is a opulent, historic, and extensive palace. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include museums.

Calais

Calais is a authentic, undiscovered, and coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Versailles and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Versailles or Calais?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Calais than Versailles, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Calais is better known for its food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Versailles is more popular for its museums and impressive beauty. Versailles is more touristy than Calais and is popular for its long running history and its grand architecture. Calais is well known for being a gateway for travelers to France. Also, Calais is famous for The Town Hall.

How is Versailles different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais and Versailles. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Versailles or Calais?

Versailles is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Versailles on the map. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Versailles or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Calais is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Versailles or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais is a nice place to visit for nightlife. However, Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Versailles or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Versailles is not a beach destination.

Calais has a beach worth visiting. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Versailles is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Versailles or Calais?

Calais is a nice place to visit for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Versailles or Calais Better for Families?

Calais is a nice place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Versailles or Calais Better for Couples?

Versailles is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Versailles frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Versailles or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Versailles is well known for its public transit. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Versailles. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

While Calais offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Versailles or Calais a more walkable city?

Versailles is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Versailles is a very walkable destination. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Versailles Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Versailles?

How long in Versailles or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Versailles and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Calais than in Versailles. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Versailles, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Calais than Versailles. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Calais, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Versailles than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Versailles that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Calais than Versailles if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Calais.

One day in Versailles or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Versailles. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

With museums and nightlife around the coastal city of Calais, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Calais, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Versailles or Calais?

Versailles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Calais, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Versailles or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Versailles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Versailles or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the historic destination of Versailles. This palace offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Calais is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in France, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Versailles and Calais, we can see that Versailles is more expensive. And not only is Calais much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Calais would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calais and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Versailles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Versailles than you might in Calais.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Versailles Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Versailles or Calais?

Versailles has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Calais. When comparing the sizes of Versailles and Calais, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Versailles or Calais?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Versailles or Calais in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Versailles as well as Calais. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Versailles is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Versailles average around 20°C (68°F), and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Versailles this time of the year. In the summer, Versailles often gets more sunshine than Calais. Versailles gets 239 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Versailles usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Versailles gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Versailles or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Versailles are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Versailles for the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Calais because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Versailles is around the same temperature as Calais in the autumn. The daily temperature in Versailles averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Versailles usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during autumn. Versailles gets 126 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Versailles usually receives less rain than Calais. Versailles gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Versailles or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Versailles during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Versailles because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

It's quite cold in Calais in the winter. The weather in Versailles can be very cold. In the winter, Versailles is around the same temperature as Calais. Typically, the winter temperatures in Versailles in January average around 5°C (40°F), and Calais averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Versailles often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Calais. Versailles gets 56 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Versailles usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Versailles gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Versailles or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Versailles and Calais. The natural beauty are the main draw to Versailles this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Versailles is generally a little warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Versailles average around 11°C (52°F), and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Versailles usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during spring. Versailles gets 173 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Versailles usually receives more rain than Calais. Versailles gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Versailles