Visit the Château of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a former royal residence and masterpiece of French Baroque architecture located about 20 kilometers southwest of Paris. Originally a small brick and stone hunting lodge built for King Louis XIII in 1624, the Sun King Louis XIV transformed it into an extravagant palace starting in 1661 to showcase his power.
The King, court and government officially moved to Versailles in 1682, which made it the political centre of France until the Revolution in 1789. With a massive 2,300 rooms, 2,143 windows, and 67 staircases, the Palace is a must see when visiting Paris.
History of the Chateau of Versailles
The construction of Versailles was seen as a national project – therefore everything had to be French-made. This includes art, tapestries, and the famous mirrors. Everything and all its materials are French. It was a decision insisted upon by the King’s financial advisor; if he were to spend so much money on Versailles, it would need to stand as a testament to the French culture
At its peak, nearly 10,000 people—including royals, nobles, guests, and servants—lived and worked within the palace complex. It allowed the King to keep the nobility in his sight, instead of them being all over Paris.
The Gardens of Versailles
Designed by André Le Nôtre, the surrounding park and formal gardens cover hundreds of hectares, historically featuring thousands of trees and hundreds of fountains.
The grand canal is a massive cross-shaped body of water, where you can rent a rowing boat or just enjoy the perfect scenic view. Make sure to visit the orangery and explore the groves (hidden maze-like outdoor rooms carved into the hedges with statues or musical fountain shows).
The Hall of Mirrors
This iconic 73-meter gallery features 357 mirrors reflecting 17 large arcaded windows overlooking the gardens. Back in the 1600s, mirrors were rare and expensive. Having this many in one place was a big deal. The room was designed to impress guests and show the king’s wealth and power.
The Hall of Mirrors hosted major historical agreements, including the Treaty of Paris (1783) and the Treaty of Versailles (1919) ending World War I.
As well as the mirrors, the ceiling of the Hall is spectacular featuring 30 massive paintings celebrating the first 20 years of Louis XIV’s military and political triumphs.The Palace of Versailles features over 1,000 square meters of painted ceilings and frescoes created by master French artists to glorify Louis XIV, the Sun King. You can find other examples of this in: the Salon of Hercules, the Royal Chapel and the Diana Room.
Marie Antoinette and the Petit Trianon
Commissioned by King Louis XV for his mistress, Madame de Pompadour, (who died before it was finished and later housed the Comtesse Du Barry), Queen Marie-Antoinette was Gifted the estate in 1774 by her husband, King Louis XVI. She used it as her private personal retreat to escape formal court life
Marie-Antoinette added an English-style landscape garden, a private theater (Petit Théâtre), and the rustic Queen’s Hamlet (Hameau de la Reine) It was fully functional and allowed her to escape the constant display she had to put on in the Palace. Here she could act out a simpler life. The walls to this area were high and no one was allowed in without her permission, not even the King!
Exploring the beautiful ‘Pink Palace’, the Temple of Love and all the incredible gardens of the Trianon is equally as brilliant as visiting the main Chateau. You will probably have to have at least 2 days to be able to do both due to the size!
Why visit the Chateau of Versailles with a Tour Guide?
With all its incredible rooms, decor and artifacts, a private tour guide can bring the place to life by telling stories of those who lived here all the way from the Sun King to Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution.
