The Palace of Versailles, or in french "Château de Versailles", is one of the largest castles in the world. A World Heritage listed, the Palace of Versailles is one of the finest achievements of French art in the seventeenth century. The former hunting lodge of Louis XIII was transformed and expanded by his son Louis XIV who installed his court and his government in 1682. Until the French Revolution, kings have succeeded, embellishing each the Castle. This royal jewel is definitely a must-see French landmark.
Venture in the Palace, discover its spectacular architecture, and its splendid rooms like the King and Queen’s apartments, many livings room with its stories and the breath taking Mirror Hall design to impress visitors with its three hundred and fifty seven mirrors, its marble and bronze decorations and its gilded bronze sculptures. The visit ends with an introduction to Versailles Gardens.
Thanks to skip the line access, the guide invites you to discover the Royal Apartments.
Royal Apartments - King and Queen’s Royal Quarters
These parade apartments were used to accommodate the official acts of the sovereign. They are decorated with a sumptuous Italian-style decoration, composed of marble paneling and painted ceilings. Open to everyone, everyone could see the king and the royal family. Here were organized evenings under the reign of Louis XIV, several times a week.
Overlooking the Midi parterre, the Queen's Grand Apartment is symmetrical to the King's Royal Quarter. But unlike Louis XIV who abandoned his Royal Apartments, the Queen continued to occupy it, which explains why the decor was changed several times in the eighteenth century.
The Hall of Mirrors
The Hall of Mirrors or Grande Galerie is designed from 1678 by Mansart: a monumental room of 8072 square feet, dedicated to the wealth and know-how of the Kingdom of France. On around 239.5 feet long, the Hall exalts the political, economic and artistic successes of France. The compositions painted by Le Brun illustrate the glorious history of Louis XIV: military victories, diplomatic and kingdom reforms. The 357 mirrors, technological prowess, symbols of great luxury, demonstrated the wealth of France.
Its design is a constantly changing show in which the lights and colors of the gardens are reflected. A magical moment.
The Gardens of Versailles
Our expert tour guide will enable you to see the best part of the Gardens.
In 1661, Louis XIV charged André Le Nôtre to create the gardens of Versailles. The creation of gardens requires a gigantic work about forty years: leveling spaces, landscaping garden beds, creation of ponds and the Canal. Louis XIV considered gardens as
important as the castle. André Le Nôtre created an ultimate French Style garden: a terrace with a global view of the gardens, a geometric organization of the axes, ponds, flowerbeds, groves. The garden is designed like a building, a walk playing on the perspectives. Charles Le Brun drew a large number of statues and fountains. The 221 sculptures make Versailles as the world's largest open-air museum of sculptures. Fountains and groves adorn the gardens. The groves regularly hosted the King's walk and the entertainment of the court. Appreciate a stroll trough the Le Nôtre's gardens.
Each summer, Versailles offers superb entertainment in the gardens to give visitors the experience of the magnificence of the celebrations in the garden at the time of Louis XIV.
Your guide will offer you a visit to the musical gardens (Tuesday from June to October) and the musical fountains show (Saturdays and Sundays from April to October).