The most magnificent palace of the French royal family – the Palace of Versailles
Written/Compiled and Reported by Li Xinyi Source: Monocle Editorial Department
The Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles) is the most magnificent palace in French history. In the era of Louis XIII (1601–1643), it was merely a hunting lodge with a garden. It wasn’t until the reign of Louis XIV (1638–1715) that he intended to shift the political center here, leading to an expansion project that took 50 years to complete.
The Hall of Venus was once where the French royal family enjoyed desserts. (Image provided by Monocle Editorial Department)
The Hall of Mirrors, composed of over 400 mirrors, creates infinite reflections of the gilded statues, crystal chandeliers, and murals inside, making it undoubtedly the most splendid hall. (Image provided by Monocle Editorial Department)
The scale of the Palace of Versailles includes the Palace (Le Château), the Gardens (Jardins de Versailles), the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon, and the Grand Écurie, among others. The floor area has increased fivefold from its original size. This grandiose courtly display and reverence for monarchical power remained unchanged during the reigns of Louis XV (1710–1774) and Louis XVI (1754–1793), as the nobility continued their extravagant indulgence, reveling day and night in music and wine.
The Royal Chapel was a place dedicated to royal weddings and masses. (Image provided by Monocle Editorial Department)
The Grand Trianon was the private palace where Louis XIV met with ladies of the court. (Image provided by Monocle Editorial Department)
Unexpectedly, this eventually led to the French Revolution, and Louis XVI was sent to the guillotine. The Palace of Versailles was left deserted until Louis-Philippe (1773–1850) negotiated with various factions and transformed it into a history museum in 1837. Here, you can see not only an 18th-century masterpiece of palace art but also trace the trajectory of French history.
Travel Information
Ticket Prices: €13–15. A one-day pass (includes access to the Palace, Trianon Palaces, the Coach Museum, etc.) costs €18–20.
Business Hours: The Palace of Versailles is open from November 1 to March 31, Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00–17:30; and from April 1 to October 31, Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00–18:30.
Website: www.chateauversailles.fr
The vast gardens of Versailles feature as many as 32 fountains alone, and strolling through them can easily take up half a day. (Image provided by Monocle Editorial Department)
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