Versailles became the iconic seat of French monarchy and Louis XIV, commonly referred to as The Sun King, wanted everything at his palace to reflect who he was as an individual. Ornate Baroque decorations made an extravagant statement while strict rules of classicism showcased his intellectual and cultural status.
Over its centuries-long history, Versailles served as a backdrop for lavish parties and military agreements (such as the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I in 1919). Nowadays, renewed interest in this iconic site has led to efforts to restore and protect it.
The Palace
At its onset in the early 17th century, Louis XIV brought his court from Paris to Versailles as little more than a small brick and stone hunting lodge. Under his watchful gaze it soon expanded, becoming not only home for French royalty but also government agencies and organizations.
The palace was designed in accordance with Baroque aesthetic, a period of extravagance sweeping Europe at this time, that inspired artisans to employ ever more lavish decorations such as stucco arabesques, painted vaults and trompe-l’oeil effects. Versailles also housed King Louis XIV’s private chamber at its core – another sign that everything at Versailles revolved around him personally.
Today’s visit to the palace can only leave visitors stunned at its immense scale and grandeur. Fully-restored rooms like King and Queen Apartments, Grand Chapel, and Hall of Mirrors give ample reason for visitors to linger and explore, but there’s much more still waiting.
Versailles had long been an attraction for royalty, aristocrats, artists, and intellectuals of all sorts; however by the early 20th century its Palace had started showing signs of wear due to a lack of funding and renovation work needed was going unfunded.
In the early 21st century, Palace curators focused their efforts on recoiling it through Revolutionary rummage sales and collecting furniture that had been left behind. Thanks to Sacha Guitry’s film Royal Affairs in Versailles, which brought back awareness to this historic site and attracted new visitors who eagerly wanted to visit it; an ambassador named Gerald Van der Kemp also served to bring it back into fashion.
The Gardens
The Gardens of Versailles are a stunning feat of Baroque splendor, reflecting Louis XIV’s power and authority with equal grandeur as his Palace itself. He commissioned Andre Le Notre to design an extensive series of parks, groves, and fountains that would complete his Versailles domain; his accomplishments not only marked Le Notre’s career but also left their imprint in French history.
Le Notre is well known for his exquisite flowerbed compositions and optical illusions that defy expectation, but his feat of engineering in channeling water throughout his estate was an extraordinary one, with underground pipes and vaults still functioning today.
While visiting, you will experience the North and South Parterres with their fountains, the Grassy Grove, Neptune Fountain and Grand Canal. Plus you may get to witness one of many annual spectacles or night-time attractions, like son et lumiere or Grandes Eaux!
The vast domain of the Palace and Garden are surrounded by an 800 hectare Park that features winding paths that mark out wooded areas, agricultural fields and lakes – including one known as “Lake of the Swiss Guards.”
The Park is open year-round and provides a pleasant way to explore the grounds of Chateau de Versailles. It provides the ideal spot for picnicking on Saint-Antoine Plain (town side via Rue de l’Independance Americaine or on park side via Sailors’ Gate) as well as in Bosquet du Theatre d’Eau (designed by Louis Benech and Jean-Michel Othoniel on site of 17th century bosquet) and Fountain Grove with statues dating back to 1674!
The Town
King Louis XIV sought to establish his royal residence outside Paris on an empty plot where only a modest hunting lodge existed. He intended for it to serve as an oasis of calm, where he could escape the hustle and bustle of city life while enjoying activities such as jousting and horseback riding.
The lavish palace was intended to impress, from its state apartments of King and Queen to its glittering Hall of Mirrors and gardens that showcased horticulture and art. People came here for music concerts, ballet performances and plays; strolling leisurely around fountains; enjoying water shows in summer (tickets required for these).
Versailles played an essential administrative role for France as it hosted government meetings at both Hotel de Ville and Saint Julien church, hosting both meetings as well as hosting a brief monarchy restoration attempt when Henri, Comte de Chambord accepted his crown despite refusing the tricolor flag which represented it during revolution. During that same revolution period, Versailles became an epicenter of political upheaval as new governments were created there in 1791 as well as attempts at monarchy restoration when Henri, Comte de Chambord accepted his crown but refused the tricolour flag which represented him and adopted during revolution as his emblem – two pivotal moments for historical change!
Today, Versailles remains a hub of culture with museums, restaurants and hotels. Its town center features pretty houses and shops set among two squares of pastel-coloured single-storey houses which used to serve as market buildings during Louis XV’s rule; these now house cafes and artisan workshops.
For an overview of Versailles, take the Versailles Historical Trail which passes by the palace, gardens and several other notable sights. Alternatively, rent a bicycle or trottinette (a small electric scooter) from Rive Gauche railway station for EUR2 an hour to explore at your own pace.
The Museums
Versailles boasts over 60,000 works that span five centuries of French History, reflecting both its dual roles as both Ancien Regime royal residence and 19th century museum, founded by Louis-Philippe in 1837.
As soon as Louis-Philippe came to power in 1830, he removed the Palace from its role as royal residence and began turning its rooms into museums dedicated to “all the glories of France”. Though he refrained from moving statues located throughout the Gardens into his Museums, several historic apartments – particularly those in the attics of north and south wings – were altered significantly; Louis-Philippe gave priority to glorifying Napoleon by creating rooms such as Coronation Room with paintings bearing significant political meaning.
Other prestigious paintings can be seen in the Empire Rooms, which offer an engaging historical reenactment of Second Empire events like military campaigns in Poland and Prussia, Austerlitz Battle, and 1870 War. A room dedicated to administrative services and science complete this panorama.
Palace of Versailles provides more than architectural and historical significance – it also provides plenty of entertainment! Row boats adorning its Grand Canal provide a relaxing ride, or hop onto a golf cart to explore its secluded “rooms.” For an alternative dining option, order take-out from its on-site restaurant before picking a grassy spot to picnic on. Lastly, rent a bike and discover its extensive parklands alone or with friends & family – don’t forget the Royal Carriages Museum which was originally part of King William V’s stable!
The Markets
Versailles town offers much to discover, even if its famed palace overshadows it. There’s a vibrant food market in Notre-Dame district which still adds life and color to square laid out by Sun King; antique dealers cluster around Eglise Notre Dame which was home for royal registers; and Lambinet museum set within an eighteenth Century private mansion.
Versailles Gardens are no doubt beautiful; their iconic Hall of Mirrors and Queen’s Hamlet stand out among them, yet many other European monarchs have drawn inspiration from them in creating vast gardens of their own across Europe.
Are you looking to escape the crowds of peak tourist season (April to October), book a guided tour from Paris? They can take you through fast-track, tour-only gates, providing invaluable insights and history as they help make sure that your visit to palace and gardens maximizes the time that you have there.
Guides can also assist with navigating Versailles’ complicated ticketing system, which allows visitors to enter at different times depending on their entry slot. Even without booking a tour, visitors can still save money by buying Passport tickets for Versailles Palace and other ticketed areas online ahead of time.
Tickets should ideally be purchased at Versailles Palace’s ticket office; however, tickets may also be bought online ahead of time or through their website. As lines tend to get long during peak tourist seasons, try arriving as early as possible or book an online tour from an established, licensed operator that includes transport to/from Versailles as well as its main attractions.