The Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces)

This 73-meter long gallery is the palace's most famous room. Adorned with 357 mirrors, it was designed to reflect the gardens through its seventeen arched windows. The ceiling paintings depict the successes of Louis XIV's reign, making it a masterclass in Baroque propaganda and dazzling beauty.

The Gardens and Fountains

Designed by Le Nôtre, these gardens are the pinnacle of the 'French formal' style. See the Latona Fountain, the Apollo Fountain, and the perfectly manicured groves. During the summer, the Musical Fountains Show brings these water features to life with classical music.

The Estate of Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet

A world away from the main palace, this estate includes the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet. The Hamlet is a charming, rustic model village with a thatched-roof cottage and a working farm, built for Marie Antoinette to enjoy a 'simpler' life.

The Hall of Battles

This massive gallery spans nearly the entire length of the first floor of the South Wing. It features 33 monumental paintings depicting iconic battles in French history, from the early Middle Ages to the time of Napoleon, showcasing the evolution of a nation.

The Royal Chapel

A stunning example of French ecclesiastical architecture, the Royal Chapel was completed in 1710. It features a magnificent vaulted ceiling and a marble floor that is a work of art in itself. This was the site of the marriage between Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

The history of the Palace of Versailles is a narrative of architectural ambition and political centralization. Originally a modest hunting lodge under Louis XIII, the site was transformed by Louis XIV, the 'Sun King,' starting in 1661. His vision was to create a seat of power that could domesticate the French nobility while symbolizing the absolute authority of the crown. Architects Louis Le Vau and Jules Hardouin-Mansart, decorator Charles Le Brun, and landscape designer André Le Nôtre collaborated to create a Baroque masterpiece that influenced royal residences across Europe for centuries. Highlights include the Hall of Mirrors, where 357 mirrors were installed to reflect the sunlight and the power of the King, and the Royal Chapel, a pinnacle of French ecclesiastical architecture. Beyond the main palace, the Great Trianon was built as a secluded retreat for the King, while the Petit Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet—a model village with its own mill and dairy—provided Marie Antoinette with an escape from the rigid protocols of court life. The estate witnessed the French Revolution's dawn and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. Today, it remains an unparalleled museum of French history, showcasing the evolution of taste from the grandeur of the Grand Siècle to the delicate Neoclassicism of the late 18th century.