The display of luxury of the French Empire at the Palace of Versailles is amazing in its scale. This ensemble is included in all textbooks on landscape art as a standard. There are luxurious apartments in the halls, beautiful views and landscapes in the fresh air. There's a lot to see here.
A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the website until October 31:
- AF500guruturizma - promotional code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
- AFTA2000Guru - promotional code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Thailand from 100,000 rubles.
- AF2000TGuruturizma - promotional code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Tunisia from 100,000 rubles.
Versailles became a royal residence only during the reign of Louis XIV, or as he was called the Sun King.
When he was 20 years old, in 1662, he decided to create an architectural and park masterpiece here, following the example of the one built by the then French Minister of Finance Nicolas Fouquet, only a hundred times better. He invited the same architect as Fouquet - Louis de Vaux.
The master of landscape art Andre Le Nôtre, who by that time had already created the famous Vaux-le-Vicomte, worked on the park. To create the park, 800 hectares of swamps had to be drained. In this ensemble, the main thing was not even the castle itself, but the combination of the palace and the park in one style.
In 1682, the king, along with all his courtiers, began to live in the Palace of Versailles. From this moment on, the once small town begins to turn into a royal residence, sparkling with its luxury. But for forty-year-old Louis XIV, the palace begins to seem insufficiently majestic. He invites the then very famous architect Jules Hardouin Mansart, who orders him to change the appearance of the palace as soon as possible.
For this purpose, two five-hundred-meter wings were completed and two floors were added. The royal bedroom was located on the second floor. The famous mirror gallery, also created by Mansart, closed with the halls of War and Peace. The building has completely changed, becoming grandiose. A balance was achieved between the grandiose scale of the park and the palace. The ensemble turned out to be majestic, as it should be to demonstrate the greatness of the monarch.
Halls of the Palace of Versailles
All accounts related to the construction of Versailles have survived to this day. The estimated amount spent on the construction of Versailles, according to experts, is about 260 billion euros in modern terms. Most of this amount was spent on the interior decoration of the halls and galleries.
In the stunning Hall of Mirrors, on a seventy-meter wall there are 17 very large and beautiful mirrors separated by gilded lamps in the form of sculptures. In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed here, which determined the post-war fate of European states. The chapel, decorated in white and gold Baroque style, was the site of the wedding of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
All halls and chambers are decorated with great luxury and grace. Every corner, including the ceiling and walls, is covered with wood and marble carvings. Everything is decorated with frescoes, paintings, sculptures. There is an opera and theater in the palace with a large oval hall illuminated by 10,000 candles.
You should definitely visit the queen's chambers in the northern wing of the palace. Every centimeter of them is decorated with gold.
It is interesting that the center of the palace was not the throne room or even the office. All important decisions were made in the royal bedroom.
Park of the Palace of Versailles
The day flies by if you walk through the palace park. Absolutely everything here speaks of care and concern. Carefully trimmed trees are planted along the Grand Canal. The setting sun is reflected in the water surface.
Garden sculptures were selected with great skill. There are 50 beautiful fountains in the park.
The fountains do not always work. Before visiting Versailles, you should check the schedule on the website. But if you find yourself at this festival of music and water, you will remember this show forever. The jets of the fountains dance synchronously to the music. On summer Saturday evenings there are light shows with fountains and fireworks.
Against the backdrop of these well-kept gardens, fountains, lakes, ponds, and carefully selected flowers in the flower beds, turn on your imagination and you will find yourself at a royal court ball.
Other sights of Versailles
On the side opposite the palace are the Small and Grand Trianon. Trianon translated means a small elegant villa.
Louis XIV built the Grand Trianon from pink marble, a one-story Italian-style pavilion surrounded by a garden. In the main palace, the king even had to dine in front of a large crowd of spectators. The Trianon was supposed to be a place of solitude.
The Petit Trianon is a rather simple building, built in 1773 by order of Louis XV by the architect Gabriel for Madame du Barry.
Later it became the favorite place of Marie Antoinette, who also wanted to retire from the formalities of the main palace. Behind this pavilion on the shore of the pond she built a small village with a dairy farm.
Working hours
It is better to check the opening hours of the Palace of Versailles on the website. It is usually open from April to October from 9:00 to 18:30, the rest of the time from 9:00 to 17:30, except Mondays.
Ticket price
Admission to the park is free. But on days the fountain is open it will cost about 8€. There are several types of tickets for visiting the palace and other buildings. You can visit the palace separately and explore its halls, the Mirror Gallery, and the chambers of the king and queen. A full ticket for visiting on days when the fountains are open costs more than on other days.
How to get there on your own
There are several ways to get to the palace:
Take the RER metro yellow line C to the Versailles-Rive Gauche terminus. Leaving the station, turn right and follow Royal Street to the main entrance of the park.
By train from the Gare Montparnase or Gare St-Lazar stations, respectively, to the Versailles-Chantiers or Versailles-Rive Droite stations.
From Pont de Sevres metro station, take bus number 171 to Place d Armes in Versailles.
It is also possible by car on the A13 highway.
Use kiwitaxi services and at the airport, at the specified time, a driver will be waiting for you, help with your luggage and promptly take you to the hotel. Several classes of cars are available - from economy to Minibus with 19 seats. The price is fixed and does not depend on the number of passengers and address within Paris. A taxi from/to the airport is a convenient and comfortable way to get to your desired location.
Is it possible to find another place as aesthetically harmonious as the Palace of Versailles?! Its external design, the elegance of the interior and the park area are made in the same style; the entire complex deserves to be strolled by representatives of the aristocracy. Every tourist will certainly feel the spirit of the times of the reign of kings, since on the palace and park grounds it is easy to try on the role of a powerful autocrat, in whose power the whole country is in power. Not a single photo can convey true grace, since every meter of this ensemble is thought out to the smallest detail.
Briefly about the Palace of Versailles
There are probably no people who do not know where the unique structure is located. The famous palace is the pride of France and the most recognizable royal residence in the world. It is located near Paris and was previously a separate building with a park area. With the growing popularity of this place among the aristocracy, numerous houses appeared around Versailles, in which lived builders, servants, retinues and other people admitted to the court. 
The idea of creating a palace ensemble belonged to Louis XIV, known as the “Sun King”. He himself studied all the plans and pictures with sketches and made adjustments to them. The ruler identified the Palace of Versailles with a symbol of power, the most powerful and indestructible. Only the king could personify complete abundance, so luxury and wealth are felt in every detail of the palace. Its main façade stretches over 640 meters, and the park occupies more than one hundred hectares. 
Classicism, which was at the peak of popularity in the 17th century, was chosen as the main style. Several of the best architects were involved in the creation of this large-scale project, which went through several stages of construction. Only the most famous masters worked on the decoration inside the palace, creating engravings, sculptures and other art treasures that still decorate it. 
The history of the construction of the famous palace complex
It is difficult to say when the Palace of Versailles was built, since work on the ensemble continued even after the king settled in the new residence and held balls in elegant halls. The building officially received the status of a royal residence in 1682, but it is better to mention the history of the creation of the cultural monument in order. 
Initially, since 1623, on the site of Versailles there was a small feudal castle, where the royals and a small retinue stayed while hunting in the local forests. In 1632, the French kings' possessions in this part of the country expanded through the purchase of a nearby estate. Small construction work was carried out near a village called Versailles, but global reconstruction began only with the rise to power of Louis XIV. 
The Sun King early became the ruler of France and forever remembered the rebellion of the Fronde, which was partly the reason why the residence in Paris evoked unpleasant memories for Louis. Moreover, being young, the ruler admired the luxury of the castle of the Minister of Finance Nicolas Fouquet and wished to create the Palace of Versailles, surpassing in beauty all existing castles, so that no one in the country would doubt the king’s wealth. Louis Levo, who had already proven himself in other large-scale projects, was invited to play the role of architect. 
Throughout the life of Louis XIV, work was carried out on the palace ensemble. In addition to Louis Leveau, Charles Le Brun and Jules Hardouin-Mansart worked on the architecture; the park and gardens belong to the hand of Andre Le Nôtre. The main asset of the Palace of Versailles at this stage of construction is the Mirror Gallery, in which paintings alternate with hundreds of mirrors. Also during the reign of the Sun King, the Gallery of Battles and the Grand Trianon appeared, and a chapel was erected. 
In 1715, power passed to the five-year-old Louis XV, who, together with his retinue, returned to Paris and did not rebuild Versailles for a long time. During his reign, the Salon of Hercules was completed and the Small Apartments of the King were created. The construction of the Petit Trianon and the completion of the Opera Hall are considered a great achievement at this stage of construction. 
Components of the palace and park area
It is simply impossible to describe the sights of the Palace of Versailles, since everything in the ensemble is so harmonious and elegant that every detail is a real work of art. During your excursions you should definitely visit the following places:
- Grand Trianon (used for outdoor recreation);
- Petit Trianon (was the home of the favorite of Louis XV);
- Marie Antoinette's farm;
- The King's Chambers;
- Mirror gallery.
At the main entrance to the palace complex there are gates made of gold, decorated with a coat of arms and a crown. The square in front of the palace is decorated with sculptures, which are also found inside the main room and throughout the park. You can even find a statue of Caesar, whose cult was valued by French masters. 
Separately, it is worth mentioning the Park of Versailles, as it is an exceptional place, enchanting with its diversity, beauty and integrity. Here you can find amazingly decorated fountains with musical arrangements, botanical gardens, greenhouses, and swimming pools. Flowers are collected in unusual flower beds, and shrubs are given certain shapes every year. 
Significant episodes in the history of Versailles
Although the Palace of Versailles was used as a residence for a short time, it played a significant role for the country - in the 19th century it received the status of a national museum, where numerous engravings, portraits, and paintings were transported. 
With the defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, the mansions became the property of the Germans. They chose the Hall of Mirrors to declare themselves the German Empire in 1871. The French were offended by the chosen location, so after Germany's defeat in World War I, when Versailles was returned to France, the peace treaty was signed in the same premises. 
Since the 50s of the 20th century, a tradition has emerged in France according to which all visiting heads of state had to meet with the president in Versailles. Only in the 90s it was decided to move away from this tradition due to the great popularity of the Palace of Versailles among tourists. 
Monarchs of other countries who visited the French landmark marveled at the elegance and luxury of the royal residence and often, upon returning home, tried to recreate no less elegant palaces with similar architecture. Of course, you won’t find a similar creation anywhere in the world, but many castles in Italy, Austria and Germany have some similarities. Even the palaces in Peterhof and Gatchina are made in the same classicism, borrowing a number of ideas. 
From historical descriptions it is known that it was very difficult to keep secrets in the palace, since Louis XIV preferred to know what was on the minds of his courtiers in order to avoid conspiracies and uprisings. The castle has many hidden doors and secret passages that were known only to the king and the architects who designed them. 
During the reign of the Sun King, almost all decisions were made in the Palace of Versailles, because government officials and close associates of the autocrat were present here around the clock. To become part of the retinue, one had to live in Versailles regularly and attend daily ceremonies, during which Louis often distributed privileges.
7-10 days
ELEVATOR RIDE (per product):
up to 1.5 m: 600 rubles;
from 1.5 m to 2.5 m: 700 rubles;
more than 2.5 m: 900 rubles.
Unassembled: 600 rubles;
Assembled: 800 rubles.
Walls (living rooms)
Up to 3.0 m: 600 rubles;
Over 3.0 m: 900 rubles.
Beds- 600 rubles
Bedroom- 1000 rubles
LIFT WITHOUT ELEVATOR (for 1 floor):
sliding wardrobes, hinged wardrobes, hallways, children's rooms:
up to 1.5 m: 300 rubles/for 1 floor, including the 1st;
from 1.5 m to 2.5 m: 400 rubles/for 1 floor, including the 1st;
more than 2.5 m: 500 rubles/for 1 floor, including the 1st;
Chests of drawers, galoshes, racks, cabinets, tables, dressing tables:
Unassembled: 200 rubles/for 1 floor, including the 1st;
Assembled: 350 rubles/for 1 floor, including the 1st.
Walls (living rooms)
Up to 3.0 m: 300 rubles/for 1 floor, including the 1st;
Over 3.0 m: 500 rubles/for 1 floor, including the 1st;
Beds- 300 rubles/for 1 floor, including the 1st;
Bedroom- 500 rubles/for 1 floor, including the 1st.
COMBINED LIFT:
If individual packages of the product are not included in the elevator (especially for products with a height of over 2400), then the cost of lifting is calculated by agreement with the forwarder at the place of delivery.
RISING TO A PRIVATE HOUSE:
Delivery is carried out only to the gate, delivery to a private house by agreement with the forwarder, depending on the conditions (distance from the gate, floor).
ATTENTION:
All sizes are indicated according to the width of the products!!!
Assembly cost(depending on the type and dimensions of the product):
Small-sized furniture, cabinets up to 1.5 m - 10% of the cost, but not less than 1000 rubles;
Hallways, cabinets more than 1.5 m - 10% of the cost, but not less than 1200 rubles;
Walls up to 3.0 m - 10% of the cost, but not less than 1500 rubles;
Walls more than 3.0 m - 10% of the cost, but not less than 2000 rubles;
Walls, children's corners more than 4.0 m - 10% of the cost, but not less than 2500 rubles;
Bedrooms - 10% of the cost, but not less than 2000 rubles;
Assembly and installation of a kitchen with a canopy (without additional work) - 15% of the cost of the product.
Departure of the collector outside the Moscow Ring Road:
Up to 10 km - 200 rubles;
Over 10 km - price is negotiable;
Additional work:
* Backlight connection 1 point (without consumables)(for wardrobes with lighting) - 150 rubles;
* Intersectional screed (section)- 100 rubles;
* Cutout for rosette in hardboard- 100 rubles;
* Inserting a lock into the cabinet door(without the price of the castle) - 200 rubles;
* Hanging the product on the wall(per unit) - 200 rubles;
* Drilling for lamp(1 point) - 150 rubles;
* Gluing an arched mirror to a closet door- 200 rubles.
Special conditions:
*If the product is delivered assembled from the factory (only chests of drawers, cabinets, overshoes, if the size of the product does not exceed 1560 mm) + 700 rubles to the cost.
*If assembly is carried out in limited conditions(on balconies, in niches, on corners, standing when technology is violated), vertical assembly, then the cost of assembly increases to 13% of the cost, but not less than the minimum amount of assembly cost.
* Assembly of built-in products- 15-20%, but not less than the minimum assembly cost.
Please note that pickers are not present at the time of delivery.
They go to the address separately after delivery (by prior arrangement).
1. Top Line (support system), laminated chipboard doors
Sliding wardrobes 2 doors: Width (800-1400) mm, Height (1800-2450) mm;
Sliding wardrobes 3 doors: Width (1200-2100) mm, Height (1800-2450) mm;
Sliding wardrobes 4 doors: Width (1600-2800) mm, Height (1800-2450) mm.
2. Top Line (support system), laminated chipboard doors + mirror
Sliding wardrobes 2 doors: Width (800-1200) mm, Height (1800-2250) mm;
Sliding wardrobes 3 doors: Width (1200-1800) mm, Height (1800-2250) mm;
Sliding wardrobes 4 doors: Width (1600-2400) mm, Height (1800-2250) mm.
3. Alliance (support system), laminated chipboard doors
Sliding wardrobes 2 doors: Width (800-1600) mm, Height (1800-2750) mm;
Sliding wardrobes 3 doors: Width (1200-2400) mm, Height (1800-2750) mm;
Sliding wardrobes 4 doors: Width (1600-3200) mm, Height (1800-2750) mm.
4. Alliance (support system), chipboard doors + mirror
Sliding wardrobes 2 doors: Width (800-1400) mm, Height (1800-2550) mm;
Sliding wardrobes 3 doors: Width (1200-2100) mm, Height (1800-2550) mm;
Sliding wardrobes 4 doors: Width (1600-2800) mm, Height (1800-2550) mm.
5. Versailles (support system)
Sliding wardrobes 2 doors: Width (800-1800) mm, Height (1800-2750) mm;
Sliding wardrobes 3 doors: Width (1200-2700) mm, Height (1800-2750) mm;
Sliding wardrobes 4 doors: Width (1600-3600) mm, Height (1800-2750) mm.
6. Hettich (for Accordion cabinets)
Cabinets with 2 doors: Width (600-1000) mm, Height (1800-2200) mm;
Cabinets with 4 doors: Width (1200-2000) mm, Height (1800-2200) mm;
Cabinets with 6 doors: Width (1800-3000) mm, Height (1800-2200) mm.
* ADDITIONAL OPTIONS FOR PRODUCTS:
- Cut under the plinth: 250 rubles for 1 product;
- Perforation for shelves for 1 linen compartment: 250 rubles;
- Additional shelf in the corner element: 250 rubles;
- Production of non-standard products, fastening the back wall of fiberboard into a groove(based on cost per 1 unit): 250 rubles;
- Trim strip for sliding wardrobe(when replacing the Top Line system with the Alliance system): 300 rubles;
- Replacing a regular mirror with a Bronze mirror for 1 door: additional payment 1900 rubles;
- Mortise edging 2 mm and PVC glued 2 mm around the perimeter of the product(roof+bottom+side verticals): surcharge of 7% (to the cost of the product);
- Mortise edging 2 mm and PVC glued 2 mm on all visible parts of the product(roof + bottom + side verticals + all internal filling on the front part): additional payment of 10% (to the cost of the product);
- Mortise edging 2 mm and PVC glued 2 mm on the corner element(all visible parts of the product): additional payment of 600 rubles;
- Ball guides with 100% extension for 1 drawer (Boyard)(depth min/max: 250-700): 360 rubles;
- Ball guides with 100% extension for 1 drawer with soft closer (GTV)(depth min/max: 300-600): 910 rubles;
- Hinge with closer Boyard/Hettiks/Hafel/Grass (for 1 pc.): 120/240/290/290 rubles,
- Set of wires for lighting(wire (3 meters)+plug+switch)): 350 rubles,
- Changing add-on for chests of drawers(Width max. - 900 mm, Depth max. - 600, Height of sides standard - 120 mm): 2180 rubles,
- Manufacture of product bodies using eccentric fastenings instead of Euroscrews(cabinets: + 1100 rubles, chests of drawers, cabinets, overshoes: + 900 rubles to the cost of the product);
* LOCKS
- Lock for drawers and swing doors (closes 1 drawer or 1 door): 150 rubles,
- Lock for cabinets and chests of drawers for 3 drawers D=20mm: 300 rubles,
- Lock for Top Line sliding wardrobes (1 lock closes 2 doors): 200 rubles,
- Aristo lock for Alliance wardrobes (1 lock closes 2 doors): 450 rubles,
- Aristo lock for Versailles sliding wardrobes D=17mm (1 lock closes 2 doors): 1790 rubles.
Versailles is a palace and park complex (Parc et château de Versailles), which is located in the suburb of Paris of the same name. Versailles is included in the list of 100 wonders of the world, and since 1979 has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The entire complex is divided into the following main areas:
- Chateau (main palace at Versailles);
- Grand Trianon;
- Petit Trianon (Marie Antoinette's mansion);
- Marie Antoinette Farm;
- Gardens;
- A park.
Excursion to Versailles: information for tourists
Address: Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France.
How to get to Versailles
From Paris to Versailles you can get there in half an hour by high-speed trains RER, line C. In Versailles the stop is called Versailles Rive Gauche, from there it is a 10-minute walk to the palace gates.
Another way to get there: bus number 171, which departs from the Pont de Sevres metro station in Paris. Buses run every 15-20 minutes.
Schedule
The complex is open every day except Mondays, as well as official holidays: December 25, January 1 and May 1.
- Chateau - from 09:00 to 17:30 (from May to September - until 18:30);
- Grand and Petit Trianons, farm - from 12:00 to 17:30 (from May to September - until 18:30);
- Gardens and park - from 8:00 to 18:00 (from May to September - from 7:00 to 20:30).
Ticket prices to Versailles
| Services list | Price |
|---|---|
| Full ticket (main palace, Grand and Petit Trianons, farm, gardens) | 20 €/on days the fountains are open 27 € |
| Full ticket for two days | 25 €/on days the fountains are open 30 € |
| Only Chateau (main palace) | 18 € |
| Grand and Petit Trianons, farm | 12 € |
| Park only (fountains turned off) | for free |
| Park only (fountains included) | 9 € |
| Night fountain show | 24 € |
| Ball | 17 € |
| Night fountain show + ball | 39 € |
Prices are current for 2018.
Children under 5 years old have free admission; older children, students, and people with disabilities have discounts.
From the history of Versailles
Versailles under the Bourbons
Initially, these lands were the hunting estate of Louis XIII. His son and successor, the “Sun King” Louis XIV, was crowned in 1654. After the Fronton uprising, life in the Louvre seemed alarming and unsafe to the “Sun King,” so he gave instructions to build a palace on the Versailles lands, on the site of his father’s hunting grounds.
Construction of the palace and park complex began in 1661 under Louis XIV and continued under the reign of his son, Louis XV. Architects Louis Leveau, Francois D'Orbe and painter Charles Lebrun created a grandiose palace in the classicist style, which to this day has no equal.
Until 1789, Versailles was the main residence of the kings of France. At the beginning of October 1789, people gathered in the palace square, outraged by the high prices of bread. The answer to the protest was the phrase of Marie Antoinette: “If they don’t have bread, let them eat cakes!” But it is not known for certain whether she said this phrase or whether the townspeople themselves came up with it. After this riot, Versailles ceased to be the center of social life in France, and the king and his family and the deputies of the bourgeoisie (National Assembly) moved to Paris.
The Palace of Versailles during revolutions and wars
Maintaining the Palace of Versailles was not easy. When Napoleon I came to power in 1799, he took Versailles under his wing. In 1806, by order of the Emperor, work began on a plan to restore the Palace of Versailles. Restoration work started two years later - mirrors and gold panels were restored here, furniture was brought in, including from.
After the revolution of 1814-1815. the empire collapsed and the Bourbons came to power again. Under Louis Philippe, many halls were completely restored. The palace became a national museum; an exhibition of portraits, busts, and paintings of historical value was exhibited here.
Versailles also played a role in French-German relations. After France lost the Franco-Prussian War, the German army headquarters was located at the Palace of Versailles (1870-1871). At the beginning of 1871, the Germans proclaimed the German Empire in the Mirror Gallery. This place was chosen specifically for the purpose of humiliating the French. But a month later, a preliminary peace treaty was signed with France and the capital was moved from Bordeaux to Versailles. And only 8 years later, in 1879, Paris again became the French capital.
Versailles from the 20th century to the present day
After the First World War, in which Germany was already defeated, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in the palace. This time the French chose the place to restore historical justice and humiliate the Germans.
In 1952, the government allocated 5 billion francs for the restoration of Versailles. Also, from the 50s to the mid-90s of the last century, all heads of state who came to visit France had to meet with the French president in the palace.
In 1995, Versailles received the status of a legal entity and became a state institution. Since 2010, the institution has received the name "Public Institution of the National Estate and Museum of Versailles."
What to see in Versailles: halls and interiors of the palace
Each hall, salon and bedroom is a masterpiece that shows how much talent and work was invested here.
Mirror gallery
The Gallery of Mirrors is considered the heart of the Palace of Versailles. Its area is 803 sq. m. The gallery has 357 mirrors installed parallel to 17 windows. The hall is decorated with crystal chandeliers, silver candelabra, floor lamps, vases, and Rouge de Rance pilasters topped with gilded bronze capitals based on a new design that was called the “French style” and was created by Le Brun.
The vaulted ceiling features 30 illustrations that depict the glorious history of Louis XIV during the first 18 years of his reign. Weddings in Versailles took place in the Mirror Gallery.
Royal Chapel
The chapel is located near the entrance on the right side of the building. The royal altar is surrounded by figures of ancient Greek gods. The royal coat of arms on the floor is paved with colored marble. A spiral staircase leads to the second tier of the chapel.
The Throne Room or Hall of Apollo
This hall was intended for holding audiences of foreign delegations or patronal feasts. In the evenings, dances, theatrical or musical performances were held here.
Diana's salon
The interior of Diana's salon at the Palace of Versailles is decorated with antique busts and sculptures, painted walls, and golden vaults.
War Salon
The War Salon was created to glorify the legendary military achievements of the French. On the walls there are monumental paintings telling about victories.
Salon "Bull's Eye"
The salon window overlooks the inner oval courtyard. Persons close to the monarch or titled nobles could be here to observe the royal apartments through an opening shaped like a bull's eye.
Hall of Venus
The main attraction of the hall is the statue of the “Sun King” Louis XIV.
King's bedroom
Louis XIV was an extravagant man, he loved pomp in absolutely everything. That's why his bedroom looks like a theater set. When the king woke up and went to bed, there were selected persons in the bedroom who had the pleasure of enjoying this action. As soon as the “sun king” woke up, four servants presented him with a glass of wine, and two with a lace shirt.
Queen's bedroom
The queen's bedroom features a huge bed. The walls are decorated with stucco, portraits and various picturesque panels.
This is just a small part of the interiors that can be seen here. It is simply impossible to describe all the halls and salons.
Gardens and park of Versailles
The gardens and park of Versailles are unique; about 36,000 people worked on their construction. More than 6 million tourists visit this attraction every year.
The location of all park facilities is carefully calculated and thought out. The scale is so grandiose that it is simply unrealistic to walk around the entire garden and park complex in a day. Fountains, pools, cascades, grottoes, statues - the park was created to show the majesty of the “Sun King”.
There are approximately 350,000 trees in the area. Trees, shrubs and lawns are trimmed as intended by the creator of the complex in the 17th century.
Events and entertainment
Versailles constantly hosts various events and shows. There is especially something to see here at the height of the tourist season.
Night fountain show
From May to September, a light and music fountain show is organized for guests on Saturdays. Besides the fact that the spectacle itself is indescribably beautiful, it ends with fireworks.
Ball
Before the night show, a real ball takes place in the Hall of Mirrors. Dancers demonstrate dances traditional for royal balls, and musicians perform classical music.
Previous photo Next photo
The word “Versailles” has long been transformed from a proper name into a common noun and has become a symbol of brilliance, luxury and impeccable taste. The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited attractions in France these days. And this is quite understandable - after all, there are imitations of this masterpiece of the era of absolutism in the world, but no equal has been created to it.
Louis XIV wanted to make a miracle; ordered - and in the middle of the wild, sandy desert, the Tempean valleys and a palace appeared, which in Europe has no similar splendor.
Nikolay Karamzin
Symbol of the French monarchy
It’s interesting that the reason for the creation of the palace was ordinary human envy. Having once seen the Vaux-le-Vicomte Palace, which belonged to the then Minister of Finance Fouquet, Louis XIV could no longer sleep peacefully: he convened the same team of architects that created the minister’s palace and set a difficult task - to do “the same thing, but 100 times better". The monarch's wish was fulfilled: the architect Louis Levo began construction in 1661, and 21 years later Versailles became the official royal residence - an unprecedentedly short construction time for a grandiose building with an area of more than 6 hectares, consisting of 3,500 rooms! When creating the palace and its decoration, the latest technologies of the time were used: for example, to decorate the famous Hall of Mirrors, Italian craftsmen were invited, who at that time alone mastered the technique of amalgamation. For major construction work, masons were hired from Flanders along with their secrets - the professional reputation of the Flemings in those years was the best in the world.
Although the project is striking in scale, during the construction of the palace they tried to maintain strict economy: despite all the splendor of the decoration, not a single restroom was provided in the building, and half of the fireplaces were pure decoration.
Gravedigger of the French Monarchy
If the French were building the Palace of Versailles today, construction would cost them a quarter of a trillion euros (the Americans launched 15 spacecraft to the moon for half that amount). Add here the costs of expanding and rebuilding the palace, maintaining a crowd of thousands of courtiers and lackeys, enormous expenses on balls and celebrations - and it becomes clear how heavy a burden the palace was for the economy. While Versailles was becoming more beautiful, France was becoming poor, and less than a century after the “Sun King” his kingdom fell, and armed sans-culottes ruled the halls of the palace.
Palace of Versailles today
Although Versailles became one of the reasons for the death of monarchical France, today it paradoxically saves France: thanks to the multi-million flow of tourists, Versailles has become a donor to the national economy - and so significant that the Republic allocated 400 million EUR for its reconstruction. Currently, more than 1,000 rooms of the palace are open to the public, including the world-famous Hall of Mirrors, the Great and Small Royal Apartments, the Battle Hall and the Royal Opera House.
Practical information
The easiest way to get to Versailles from Paris is to take the RER train line C (any city pass with coverage zones 1-4 will do). There are also special buses from the Eiffel Tower.
Opening hours: the palace is open to the public from April to October on all days except Mondays. The ticket office is open from 9:00 to 17:50, the ticket price for an adult is 20 EUR. Prices on the page are as of March 2019.