Versailles with Kids and the Grand Ball: A Magical Family Adventure

Versailles with Kids and the Grand Ball: A Magical Family Adventure

Author: Annie Sargent November 2, 2025 Duration: 57:03

In Versailles with Kids and the Grand Ball: A Magical Family Adventure, host Annie Sargent talks with Katie Danger, an American mom who has lived in Versailles for more than a decade. Katie knows the palace and its surroundings inside and out — and she shares all her best tips for families who want to enjoy this iconic destination without the stress.

Listen to this episode ad-free

Together, Annie and Katie explore how to make Versailles fun and manageable with children. They talk about stroller-friendly paths, when to visit to avoid crowds, and why the gardens are often a better choice for kids than the formal palace rooms. Katie recommends favorite picnic spots, like near the Grand Canal or the Queen's Hamlet, where families can relax and feel the magic of French history in a natural setting.

The conversation also touches on local life in Versailles — the lively markets, neighborhood cafés, and parks that most tourists miss. Katie shares practical advice about buying tickets, timing your visit, and how to add a touch of sparkle by attending the Grand Ball of Versailles, one of the most extravagant costume events in France.

If you're planning a family trip to Versailles, this episode is packed with insider ideas to make it both educational and enjoyable. You'll come away inspired to slow down, explore beyond the palace walls, and experience Versailles like a local.

🎧 Subscribe to the Join Us in France Travel Podcast for more personal stories, practical tips, and smart itineraries that help you explore France beyond the clichés. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning for your tenth, Annie and her guests will help you plan a trip you'll never forget.

Table of Contents for this Episode


Annie Sargent invites you to pull up a chair for a genuine conversation about all things France. Join Us in France Travel Podcast feels less like a formal guide and more like getting insider advice from a friend who knows the country intimately. Each episode builds a richer understanding of the place, weaving together practical travel tips with deep dives into French culture and history. You’ll hear from local tour guides, get suggestions for savoring regional food and wine, and learn how to navigate your journey with savvy and respect. The discussions go beyond simple itineraries, touching on the social nuances and historical layers that make France so compelling. Whether you're dreaming of a future visit or simply love hearing stories from abroad, this podcast offers an engaging and informative escape. Annie’s passion is contagious, making every conversation feel like a shared discovery of beautiful destinations and everyday French life. Tune in to transform how you think about travel, one story at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Join Us in France Travel Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Learning French Later in Life: A Couple's Avignon Immersion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:33
Annie Sargent chats with Nan and Marty Deniston, two Americans who spent three whole months living in Avignon. They wanted more than a vacation. They wanted real French. Nan started young, studying in Toulouse as a stude…
Louis Braille: The Blind French Teen Who Changed Reading Forever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:14
Annie Sargent sits down with Elyse Rivin to tell the story of Louis Braille. He lost his sight at age three. He was completely blind by five. That didn't stop him. By his teens, he had invented a whole new way to read. A…
Lyon Travel Guide: Secret Passageways and Food Specialties [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:57
Annie Sargent takes you to Lyon in this episode. She met with Mikayla Sibner, an American who's taught French in Lyon for years, and they walk you through the city together. Listen to the episode ad-free You'll hear abou…
Camille Claudel: Betrayed by Family, Locked Away for 30 Years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:12
Camille Claudel trained alongside Auguste Rodin. She fell in love with him. She became a brilliant sculptor in her own right. Then her family locked her away. Listen to the episode ad-free Annie Sargent talks with Elyse…
How We Moved to Paris: Visa, Housing, and Healthcare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:29
109-word iTunes description: Sacha Cohen and her husband spent two and a half years scouting France. They tried Rouen, Dijon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, and more. Then they chose Paris and moved in December 2025. Annie Sargent…
Catherine and Marie De Medici: Queen Mothers and Kingmakers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:42
Two Italian banker's daughters married French kings. Both ended up ruling France. Annie Sargent sits down with Elyse Rivin to sort out Catherine de' Medici and Marie de' Medici, cousins who together span the entire 1500s…
An Art Retreat in a Medieval Burgundy Village, Episode 607 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:05
In episode 607, Annie Sargent talks with Julie Lynch, an Australian costume designer turned painter, about her week-long art retreat in Noyers, a tiny medieval village in Burgundy. Julie traded her precise, detailed styl…
Eugène Delacroix: The Painter Critics Loved to Hate, Episode 606 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:40
Critics called his paintings smudges. He kept painting anyway. In this episode, Annie Sargent and Elyse Rivin tell the story of Eugène Delacroix, the man behind Liberty Leading the People. His father left the family in d…
Five Weeks Solo in Paris: 20 Museums and Hidden Gems, Episode 605 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:58
Five weeks solo in Paris. Twenty museums. Four monuments. And a whole lot of surprises. Annie Sargent chats with Larry Rosenblum to talk about his trip. Larry swims in the Seine. He watches a play at the Comédie-Français…