A building that has seen and made French history... The Château de Versailles, located in the Yvelines department, just a stone's throw from Paris, is certainly one of the region's most visited tourist attractions. Every year, no fewer than 7 million visitors stroll through the Hall of Mirrors and gardens in search of a piece of history.
A cultural establishment on an enormous scale: over 63,000 m2 of space, divided into 2,300 rooms, 1,000 of which are open to visitors, 815 ha of parkland, including 93 ha of gardens... There's plenty to keep you busy when you come to Versailles for a stroll or to revise your history.
Construction began in 1623 during the reign of Louis XIII, and was originally a small hunting lodge where the king, who suffered from agoraphobia, liked to stay. Over the years, he bought up the surrounding plots until 1631, when major expansion work began, directed by engineer-architect Philibert Le Roy. In 1643, the king died, leaving the reins of power to his 4-year-old son, who was unable to govern, and Versailles ceased to be a royal residence. It would take Louis XIV 18 years to return.
Throughout history, Louis XIV and Versailles have become so closely identified with the king that they've become inseparable. Louis XIV was largely responsible for creating the Versailles we know today, and for turning the château from a small hunting lodge into a pleasure residence with extensive garden entertainments. The château also became his principal residence from 1682, as well as that of the court and government.
After the king's death, his successor Louis XV deserted Versailles in favor of Vincennes, and it wasn't until Louis XVI came to power that the château was restored to its former splendor. Today, the château celebrates French history, while preserving traditions such as the Grandes Eaux and balls in period costume.
Good to know: Queen Marie-Antoinette had her own village, Le Hameau de la Reine, in the park at Versailles. Built in 1783, the rural-style village was designed to offer the king's wife a chance to escape the rigors of court life and recharge her batteries. The Queen's house has been renovated and is now open to the public once again.
The Waldorf Astoria - Trianon Palace, a royal setting in the heart of the Parc de Versailles
Fancy a royal weekend in the countryside, just a stone's throw from Paris? Head for the Waldorf Astoria - Trianon Palace, offering a real change of scenery on the edge of the Château de Versailles park. A truly relaxing experience, especially if you haven't been able to go on vacation abroad due to the health crisis. [Read more]
The Salle du Jeu de Paume, famous since the French Revolution, can be visited at weekends near the Château de Versailles, to immerse yourself in history and discover a recently restored national treasure. [Read more]
The Domaine de Trianon can be visited separately from the Château. Located two kilometers away, it was once a place of refuge for kings, who found rest and relaxation away from the Court. Created by Louis XV, the estate became the fiefdom of Marie-Antoinette, who modified the grounds and created an entire hamlet, like a small village. [Read more]
Madame Du Barry’s Apartment is opening again in the heart of the Palace of Versailles, after 18 months of renovations. For the opening of King Louis XV exhibition – of whom she was the last favorite – rediscover these 350sqm through a dozen rooms decorated in a singular and sumptuous fashion. [Read more]
A bouillon (the city's first!) awaits you a stone's throw from the Château de Versailles: Le Petit Bouillon Versailles! We're off to discover it, and reveal what's in store for you in terms of decor and menu. [Read more]
It's in the enchanting, historic setting of Les Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Controle, the hotel located within the Château de Versailles, that we set out to discover Marie-Antoinette's famous afternoon tea, orchestrated by talented pastry chef Aymeric Pinard. Come and slip into the shoes of a queen and king for an enchanted, gourmet interlude. [Read more]
The park at Versailles is home to a little-known garden: "Le Jardin du Parfumeur". Under the patronage of Francis Kurkdjian, the plot envelops the Trianon estate in an elegant floral fragrance. [Read more]
Do you know the Unesco World Heritage sites in the Paris region? We reveal 6 jewels to discover in Paris and the Paris region that are well worth the detour. [Read more]
In the heart of the Château de Versailles estate, we discover Le Grand Contrôle, a 5-star hotel offering a unique experience, transporting us back in time. Opening in spring 2020, this unique venue combines history, refinement and authenticity, offering spectacular views over the Orangerie parterre and privileged access to the Château. [Read more]
Looking for a good all-you-can-eat brunch in the Yvelines, and in Versailles in particular? We'll take you to the Alcôve in the Hôtel Le Louis, just a stone's throw from the Château de Versailles. It's the ideal place to treat yourself, before or after a stroll through the park, the château or the nearby Galerie des Carrosses. [Read more]
Few people know it, but every Sunday, Le Grand Contrôle, the Michelin-starred restaurant orchestrated by Alain Ducasse, offers a refined brunch overlooking the Orangerie at the Château de Versailles. How about a royal interlude for a timeless moment? [Read more]
Why not treat yourself to an all-you-can-eat brunch, even on the terrace, with homemade, local produce? Let's head for the Yvelines, to discover the Cour cachée des Senteurs, home to the Chez Molly tea room, where every weekend we can enjoy a gourmet brunch just a stone's throw from the Château de Versailles. [Read more]
The Château de Versailles celebrates Christmas 2024 with five original concerts, from December 7 to 23, 2024, in its magnificent Chapelle Royale, which also doubles as an opera house, making for an exceptional musical celebration. [Read more]
Le Parcours du Roi is the Château de Versailles' 2024 Christmas show, offering families the chance to discover the château's most beautiful rooms in a Baroque atmosphere, from December 14, 2024 to January 4, 2025. The event culminates in a very special encounter with Baroque Santa Claus! [Read more]
How about a tea time duo at the very heart of the Château de Versailles? We'll take you to the Goûter de la Reine at Ore, the restaurant nestled in the Pavillon Dufour, which now offers a sweet and savory interlude from Tuesday to Sunday. [Read more]
The Galerie des Carrosses, nestled in the Grande Écurie at the Château de Versailles, opens its doors free of charge every weekend. When visiting Versailles, it's a discovery you'd be wrong not to make. We'll take you on a tour... [Read more]
Head to Versailles to discover the Potager du Roi, a production and experimentation site open to the public, which once supplied the King's table at the Château! Here you can find local, natural fruit and vegetables in the open air. [Read more]
The History Gallery at the Château de Versailles reopens its doors to celebrate the 400th anniversary of this emblematic monument. Free of charge from September 15 to 17, 2023 for the Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), then from September 21 with a ticket, discover a completely redesigned and refurbished gallery, retracing the history of the Château from its construction in 1623 by Louis XIII to the present day. More than 120 works from the Versailles collections, accompanied by a digital device, enable us to understand the creations, transformations and upheavals that have marked the Château. [Read more]
Did you know that? Some rooms and spaces related to the Palace and the Estate of Versailles are open to the public free of charge. Here are the conditions to visit them without paying a penny. [Read more]
The Château de Versailles, its gardens and grounds, are a world heritage site. The official residence of the kings of France, the Château de Versailles holds the record as the largest château in the world, and of course the most visited in France. [Read more]
The Palace of Versailles unveils a new walk to discover the "Admirable Trees" of the Versailles estate. These trees are full of history and are the living heritage of the estate. By their size, their beauty or their anecdotes, these subjects are a mine of discoveries. [Read more]
During the 2024 Christmas vacations, from December 21, 2024 to January 5, 2025, we're off to the Château de Versailles to enjoy magical family events. [Read more]
From December 21, 2024 to January 5, 2025, during the Christmas vacations, the Château de Versailles is exceptionally opening to the public its historic galleries dedicated to the French Revolution, as well as the Emperor's small apartment in the Grand Trianon. [Read more]
Le Déluge, a new film directed by Gianluca Jodice, stars Guillaume Canet and Mélanie Laurent as Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, during their imprisonment at the Conciergerie. Here, we discover the royal couple not in the luxury of Versailles, but awaiting their sentence. [Read more]
The Château de Versailles welcomes Guillaume Bresson and his works where history and contemporary art meet. An exhibition to discover from January 21 to May 25 2025. [Read more]
Prince Louis de France, known as Monseigneur or the Grand Dauphin, was Louis XIV's eldest son, yet he never acceded to the throne. The Château de Versailles revisits his story in an exhibition opening on October 14, 2025. [Read more]
Immerse yourself in the Mississippi Valley from November 25, 2025 with the Château de Versailles exhibition on the native nations who allied themselves with the French when they settled in Louisiana during the reign of the young Louis XV. [Read more]
Location
Palace of Versailles
Place d'Armes
78000 Versailles
Prices
Billet Château: €18
Official website
www.chateauversailles.fr
More information
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 6.30pm. Free admission for EU residents under 26.
The Waldorf Astoria - Trianon Palace, a royal setting in the heart of the Parc de Versailles
A guided tour of the Jeu de Paume room, a treasure trove of the French Revolution
The Trianon Estate and the Queen's hamlet
Madame Du Barry’s Apartment at the Palace of Versailles has been renovated
Petit Bouillon Versailles, the affordable bouillon just 2 steps from the Château de Versailles, takes shape
We tested the fabulous tea time at Les Airelles Château de Versailles - Le Grand Contrôle
The Perfumer's Garden, the garden of the Château de Versailles and the House of Francis Kurkdjian
6 Unesco World Heritage sites to discover in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
Le Grand Contrôle, the magical hotel at the Château de Versailles that goes back in time
All-you-can-eat royal brunch at L'Alcove in Versailles
The confidential brunch at the Grand Contrôle Château de Versailles
All-you-can-eat brunch at Chez Molly in Versailles, Yvelines
Christmas at the Chapelle Royale 2024: concerts at the Opéra Royal du Château de Versailles
Le Parcours du Roi, the 2024 Christmas show tour at the Château de Versailles
The Queen's Tea Time at the Château de Versailles at Ore
The Galerie des Carrosses, the free museum at the Grandes Ecuries of the Château de Versailles
Le Potager du Roi, a historic fruit and vegetable garden near the Château de Versailles
The new History Gallery at the Château de Versailles to celebrate 400 years - photos
Good plan: these areas of the Château de Versailles are accessible for free to all
A visit to the Château de Versailles and its program
The Admirable Trees of the Domaine de Versailles
Christmas vacations 2024 at the Château de Versailles: the program for families
Le Déluge: Guillaume Canet and Mélanie Laurent as Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette - our review
Guillaume Bresson at the Château de Versailles: the exhibition where contemporary art meets history
Le Grand Dauphin, fils de roi, père de roi et jamais roi: the exhibition at the Château de Versailles
Amerindian allies at the court of Louis XV: the historical exhibition at the Château de Versailles
