The Galerie de l'Histoire will be open to visitors at night from September 15, 2023 , and then all weekend during the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), for new discoveries before it opens to visitors to the château on September 21. Located on the first floor of the north wing, it has served as an introduction to the Palais since 2011.
Inaugurated as a modest hunting lodge by Louis XIII in 1623, the Château de Versailles has undergone many transformations. If you venture inside, you'll discover over 120 works of art, some exhibited for the first time, lining the Galerie de l'Histoire. Designed as an introduction to a visit to the château, it offers a complete panorama from the time of Louis XIII to the present day.
The new presentation, chronological and thematic, highlights overa hundred works: portraits, views of Versailles, relics of the past, furniture and sculptures. 3D reconstructions, drone flights and archive videos complete the experience. Located on the first floor of the north wing, the exhibition now offers a seamless transition from Louis XIV's Grand Appartement to Marie-Antoinette's apartment and the historic galleries dating from the time of Louis-Philippe.
The first room features portraits of the five great kings of France who lived at the Château, as well as a 3D video retracing the architectural transformations. Louis XIV, builder of the Château, left his mark on Versailles. The reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI also brought significant changes. After the Revolution, the Château was abandoned, then restored by Louis-Philippe, who turned it into a museum dedicated "to all the glories of France".
One room is devoted to the first Versailles, imagined by Louis XIV himself. Views of the château and its gardens are presented, along with portraits of artists and scholars of the period. The gardens, designed by André Le Nôtre, are also highlighted. Another room evokes the transformation of Versailles into a government palace. Paintings of decors that no longer exist and preparatory works are on display. Sketches of the Salon de Mercure illustrate the layout of the king's and queen's official apartments.
The glory of God and the King takes center stage in a room dedicated to Jules Hardouin-Mansart, Louis XIV's favorite architect. On display are Charles Le Brun's decorative sketches, as well as a bust of the artist. The gardens also feature prominently in the exhibition. André Le Nôtre created sophisticated gardens, with paths delimiting groves and water features to surprise visitors.
The tour continues with a presentation of the great royal estate of Versailles, which encompassed much more than the château garden. The Grand Trianon, the Domaine de Trianon, the pièce d'eau des Suisses and the Domaine de Marly are described. One room is dedicated to Louis XV and the interior metamorphosis of the Château. The private rooms of the royal family and their sumptuous decor are revealed.
The end of the Ancien Régime is explored in a room dedicated to Louis XVI. Princely decors from the period are on display, along with paintings recalling the importance of gardens. The Historical Galleries of Versailles, created by Louis-Philippe, are also highlighted. The museum tells the story of fourteen centuries of French history, and features some 6,000 works of art.
The quest for intimate spaces led monarchs to favor private apartments, infusing them with an atmosphere of reverie. Queen Marie Leszczynska even took the initiative of personally decorating the panels of her Cabinet des Chinois, with the support of artists from the Cabinet du Roi. The latter, recently returned to the Versailles collections, are displayed here in all their splendor.
The penultimate room of the exhibition is devoted to the"Versailles Revival", a craze surrounding the Versailles of the Ancien Régime. It features works illustrating the political role of Versailles at the time, as well as efforts to reconstruct the palace.
We then finish with a fully digital room that lets us relive the greatest events of Versailles, past and present.
Don't miss the reopening of the History Gallery at the Château de Versailles, a unique opportunity to delve into the fascinating history of this monument. Discover the different eras, fashions and styles that have left their mark on the Château de Versailles. An enriching experience awaits you at the heart of the history of Versailles.
Enjoy a preview opening on September 15 (at night), 16 and 17, with free admission. From September 21, all you need is a Passport or Château ticket to enter this historic nugget. So don't miss this unique opportunity to relive 400 years of French history through the prism of the Château de Versailles.
Dates and Opening Time
Starts December 17, 2024
Location
Palace of Versailles
Place d'Armes
78000 Versailles
Recommended age
For all
Official website
www.chateauversailles.fr
