A Travel Price Comparison for France Versailles vs. Saint-Etienne for Attractions, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Versailles or Saint-Etienne?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Versailles or Saint-Etienne, 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 ornate, opulent, and historic palace. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a industrial, undiscovered, and authentic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Versailles and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Versailles or Saint-Etienne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint-Etienne than Versailles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Saint-Etienne is very popular for its nightlife, hiking, and shopping, while Versailles attracts visitors for its museums and impressive beauty. Versailles is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for its long running history and its grand architecture. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past. It is also well known for The Museum of Art and Industry.

How is Versailles different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Versailles is an amazing palace to visit for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Versailles are world-renowned. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Versailles or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Versailles and Saint-Etienne can be difficult as they are each reasonable in their own way.

Versailles offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Saint-Etienne. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Versailles or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Versailles is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Versailles or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a nice place to visit for hiking. However, Versailles is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne has hiking trails worth exploring. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Versailles is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Versailles or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne is adequate for shopping. However, Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Versailles is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Versailles or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

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

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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 Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Versailles is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Versailles is a great palace if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

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

Versailles is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Versailles can get you to some places easily. 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.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Versailles or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Versailles is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Versailles is a very walkable palace. 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.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable palace. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Versailles Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Versailles?

How long in Versailles or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Versailles or Saint-Etienne to fill your time. In our opinion, Saint-Etienne has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Saint-Etienne than Versailles. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Versailles than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

One day in Versailles or Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the beautiful destination of Versailles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

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

A weekend in Versailles or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Versailles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

With nightlife and museums around the destination of Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the ornate destination of Versailles. This palace offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find museums around the beautiful palace of Versailles. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne, we can see that Versailles is more expensive. And not only is Saint-Etienne much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint-Etienne would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne.

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

Which is Bigger, Versailles or Saint-Etienne?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Versailles. When comparing the sizes of Versailles and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Versailles or Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

Both Saint-Etienne and Versailles are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Versailles is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Versailles in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 22°C (71°F).

It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Versailles. Versailles usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during summer. Versailles gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Versailles usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint-Etienne. Versailles gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Versailles or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

Both Saint-Etienne and Versailles during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Versailles in the autumn for the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Versailles is generally around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Versailles average around 13°C (56°F), and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Versailles often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne. Versailles gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun.

Versailles usually gets less rain in October than Saint-Etienne. Versailles gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Versailles or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Versailles and Saint-Etienne. Most visitors come to Versailles for the museums and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Saint-Etienne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Saint-Etienne can be very cold. Versailles can be very cold during winter. Versailles is a little warmer than Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Versailles averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Versailles usually receives less sunshine than Saint-Etienne during winter. Versailles gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Versailles usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint-Etienne. Versailles gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Versailles or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Versailles as well as Saint-Etienne. The spring months attract visitors to Versailles because of the natural beauty. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

In the spring, Versailles is around the same temperature as Saint-Etienne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Versailles in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint-Etienne averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Versailles often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint-Etienne. Versailles gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun.

Versailles usually gets less rain in April than Saint-Etienne. Versailles gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Versailles