Château de Versailles - From A Hunting Cabin to The Centre of The World

Join us for a visit at one of the most known palaces in the world. The Versailles Palace just outside Paris has been the escape of the French kings which then turned into a show of the French Grandeur that it still is.

It all began on 24 August 1607 when the young Dauphin — future  King Louis XIII — first visited Versailles for a hunting trip. He found a haven of lush meadows and dense forests teeming with game, and it was love at first sight. After ascending to the throne in 1610, he returned in 1621 and, by 1623, was so enchanted with the serenity of the area that he ordered a small hunting lodge to be built as his personal escape into nature. Interestingly, Queen Anne of Austria, the Spanish Infanta and Louis XIII’s wife, never stayed overnight. Versailles was the king’s private retreat, a sanctuary for solitude away from court life.

The Versailles we marvel at today owes its grandeur to Louis XIV, the Roi Soleil. Captivated by the charm of the estate during his youth, he transformed it starting in 1661 into one of the most opulent royal residences in the world. For more than 50 years, he oversaw expansion after expansion turning a modest lodge into a legendary palace that became the heart of royal power and prestige.

After Louis XIV’s death in 1715, the palace fell into a quieter era, becoming more of a curiosity than a seat of power. Yet it still drew awe, including from Tsar Peter the Great, who visited twice in 1717.

Contrary to popular belief, the French Revolution did not destroy the Palace of Versailles. Though the monarchy fell in 1792, the palace endured, and in 1793, the Central Museum for the Arts opened in Paris with artworks formerly held by the Crown. That same year, a law ordered the auctioning of nearly all royal furnishings. By August 1794, over 17,000 items had been sold, scattering the treasures of Versailles across Paris.

Versailles remained untouched during World War I, and in 1919, it once again captured global attention. The signing of the Treaty of Versailles took place in the dazzling Hall of Mirrors, symbolically chosen to reverse the humiliation France suffered in 1871.

The 20th century saw Versailles re-emerge as a cultural icon, thanks in large part to American philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, who funded major restoration efforts - so much for the pride of the French... The palace has since welcomed dignitaries and celebrities from Queen Elizabeth II to John and Jackie Kennedy, and even hosted the G7 summit in 1982.

There are five shops in the Palace. Librairie des Princes is a bookshop sporting topical books and games for a more serious visitor while the four shops inside the Palace help you find souvenirs for the umpteenth cousin.

The palace tries to make the palace as accessible as possible. When you arrive at the Palace, there is a pedestrian path from the Grille d’Honneur to the entrances where entrance H is reserved for people with disabilities. Several free toilets are available at the Palace. They are all accessible for disabled persons unless indicated otherwise.

You’ll find cafés in the Royal Courtyard, Pavilion d’Orléans, and Pavilion Dufour. Be prepared for tourist pricing and a more international twist on French cuisine. For a more authentic bite, stroll down the café-lined street just outside the Palace gates.

Château de Versailles

Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles

www.chateauversailles.fr