The Palace of Versailles (Le Château de Versailles)
The Château de Versailles is a historic monument and the emblem of Versailles. You cannot go to Versailles without visiting its château. Classified as a World Heritage Site for 40 years, it is one of the finest achievements of 17th-century French art. The château is made up of a complex set of courtyards and buildings preserving architectural harmony. Covering 63,154 m2, it is divided into 2,300 rooms, of which one thousand are assigned to the National Museum of the Châteaux of Versailles and Trianon.
The Hall of Mirrors (La Galerie des Glaces)
Emblematic of the Château de Versailles, the Hall of Mirrors is adorned with 357 mirrors. It was, for different monarchs, the representation of the greatness of France. It was intended to illustrate the power of the absolute monarch Louis XIV and to dazzle its visitors with its ornamentation, rich iconography composed by Charles Le Brun, and extraordinary dimensions.
The gardens
Designed by André Le Nôtre, the sumptuous gardens of the Château de Versailles are among the largest and most magnificent in the world. Marked by paths, ponds, sculptures, flowerbeds, and groves, the gardens demonstrate 17th-century French detail and offer spectacular views. Below the Château, you can also find the Orangery, designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. It is said that this is the place where he succeeded in better asserting his talent as a great architect.
The Grand Trianon
The Grand Trianon is a castle located in the Versailles estate. Formerly named Trianon de Marbre (due to the exterior of the building which is made of pink marble), it was built at the request of King Louis XIV. Construction began in 1687 by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart.
The little Trianon (le petit Trianon)
The Petit Trianon was built from 1762 to 1768 by the architect of King Louis XV, Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Considered a masterpiece of neoclassicism, combining modernity and the integration of surrounding nature, it was built for Madame de Pompadour, who unfortunately died before seeing it completed. It was inaugurated in 1768 by Madame du Barry.
The Queen’s Hamlet (Le Hameau de la Reine)
Le Hameau de la Reine is an integral part of Marie-Antoinette’s Domain. This bucolic-looking place is located in the Trianon gardens. Timeless, far from the tumult of the Château, this place exalts the imagination. It was built at the request of Marie-Antoinette, who ordered her architect Richard Mique to construct this magnificent set of buildings. Completed in 1786 along an artificial pond, despite the rural architecture being borrowed from various trends, this place gives the impression of great unity. Access to the Hameau de la Reine is via the entrance to one of the two Trianons.
The indoor tennis court (La salle du jeu de paume)
La Salle du Jeu de Paume was built in 1686 for the needs of the court. This game is the ancestor of tennis (also known as Real Tennis). This room was also the scene of the Oath of June 20, 1789, where 578 deputies of the States General swore not to separate before having given a constitution to France, heralding the start of the French Revolution.
The carriage gallery (La galerie des Carrosses)
The Galerie des Carrosses opened in 2016 and presents little-known masterpieces of French history. You can find there, for example, the coronation carriage of Charles X, the sleds used at Louis XV’s court or even the baby carriage of the sons of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
This collection is one of the most important in Europe. It is located within the Grande Ecurie.
