Versailles is known for being one of the most beautiful palaces in the world. It is a harmonious mixture of architecture, history, art, and perfectly designed gardens.
Each year, more than 10 million people flock from all around the world to gaze at its grandeur. In fact, is the second-most visited monument in the Île-de-France just behind the Louvre, and amazingly ahead of the Eiffel Tower.
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The History of Versailles
Future King Louis XIII grew up hunting in the forest and meadows of Versailles. He, and other royals, would hunt for deer, pheasants, boar, and other game. In 1623, the king decided to build a small hunting lodge so he could comfortably rest after a long day of hunting. For years, Versailles served as a retreat for the royals.
Over the years, there were several additions to the hunting chateau. In 1682, Louis XIV decided to leave Paris and his Palace at the Louvre behind and make Versailles his permanent residence.
The palace has been the venue for many historical events including the Peace of Paris (1783), the Proclamation of the German Empire, and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I.
Today, Versailles is a historical monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is most known for its opulent decor, extravagant Hall of Mirrors, Royal Opera, ornate royal apartments, and lavish gardens.
Palace Highlights
Louis XIV’s Grand Apartments
Seven rooms make up Louis XIV’s Grand Apartments. Considering this guy was known as the Sun King, it’s probably no surprise that his chambers are full of glitz, glam, and, of course, gold.
The rooms include The Room of Abundance and the Hercules, Venus, Diana Mars, Mercury, and Apollo Rooms.
The DIana Salon once held a billiard table and seating so that spectators could watch the Sun King play. There were even two platforms next to the table for women to stand on and cheer him on.
The Room of Abundance led to the Cabinet of Curios where Louis XIV displayed his collection of precious jewels and rare objects.
The Salon of Mercury was where the king rested his head at night. The bed that is currently in the room is a replicat of the original commissioned by King Louis-Philippe when he turned the palace into a museum.
Hall of Mirrors
Of course, no visit to the palace would be complete without a glimpse at the Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces). The Hall of Mirrors is the most famous room in the entire palace. It is just over 245 feet long and features 357 mirrors. It was built to replace a large terrace that once opened up onto the gardens. The terrace connected the King and Queens apartments which was exposed to the elements. Just think, this fancy schmancy hall was built just to keep the king’s wig dry on a rainy night!
The room pays tribute to the political, economic, and artistic success of France. The political successes are showcased via 30 painted compositions on the vaulted ceiling. The economic success is flaunted by the sheer number and size of the 357 mirrors n the hall. Mirrors were the ultimate status symbol back in the day. The artistic success is shown in more ways than just the ceiling. It is also highlighted by the gilded bronze statues.
The Gardens
Louis XIV was quite the outdoor enthusiast and considered the gardens of Versailles equally as important as the palace. This man literally moved mountains (well hills) to create the garden of his dreams. Hills were flattened, forests were relocated, entire marshes were drained, and thousands of men labored for 40 years to create the gardens we see today.
The gardens are well-known for their fountains which in retrospect is probably a good thing considering supplying water for these fountains was once a huge problem for the government. The palace sits 490 ft above sea level and the nearest body of water is the Seine River, 6 miles away. Engineers had to construct a series of paddle wheels, 259 pumps, and reservoirs just to make these things work.
Where is the Palace of Versailles Located?
Versaille is only about 9 miles outside of Paris, making it a perfect option for a day trip. The easiest way to get from Paris to Versailles is by train. Take the RER (Line C) train, which departs from Metro stations in the center of Paris and arrives at the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station. The ride takes about an hour.
Another option is the SNCF Train from Gare Montparnasse in Paris to the Versailles Chantiers station. The ride takes about 20 minutes. From here, it’s about a 25 minute walk to the palace.
Address:
Place d’Armes
78000 Versailles
France
Ticket Information
Versailles has a tendency of getting extremely crowded. Around 10 million people visit the site each year- over 27,000 a day! If you purchase your ticket in advance, it helps cut down on the wait time to get in.
Visiting Information
Palace Hours 9 am to 5:30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Gardens 8 am to 6 pm
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[…] was designed by a French landscape architect, André Le Nôtre, whom also designed the gardens of Versailles. The original design was called the Grande Promenade and featured a wide promenade lined with elm […]