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A symbol of pride for France.
When it comes to the luxury, grandeur, and opulence of France, no castle, palace, or landmark can replace Versailles, a symbol of the power and wealth of the French feudal dynasties, and also one of the most famous and attractive tourist destinations in France. Each year, an estimated 5 million people visit the Palace of Versailles.
The Palace of Versailles is associated with King Louis XIV, who was known as the Sun King.
The Palace of Versailles is located in the Île-de-France region, southwest of the magnificent Paris. It is famous for its sophisticated royal architecture, lush gardens, and, most notably, its association with the story of a renowned French king: Louis XIV, the Sun King.
Louis XIV was known as the Sun King because he often compared himself to God and the saints. He loved acting and often chose to play Apollo, the sun god, for himself. Louis XIV was romantic and loved the arts. Even before the Louvre Palace in Paris was completed, Louis XIV had already envisioned building another palace outside of Paris.
The rooms were decorated in the Baroque style with paintings and glittering chandeliers.
The Versailles complex was built at the request of King Louis XIV in 1682 on an area of 1,070 hectares, comprising more than 700 different buildings with over 2,000 rooms, including the palace itself which covers 67,000 m². It served as the residence of French kings and queens from the time of Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI.
A massive and magnificent architectural structure.
While the French feudal system has long since collapsed, Versailles remains a symbol of the country. Beginning in the 19th century, the palace began to open to the public and was transformed into a museum. In 1979, its history, architecture, and stunning landscape earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.
Within the palace, every room and corridor is meticulously crafted with opulent and beautiful architecture and interior design. All the paintings, reliefs, and grand domes adorning the palace share a common purpose: to celebrate the famous Sun King of France.
Mirror Room
One of the most striking rooms at the Palace of Versailles is the Hall of Mirrors. Spanning 73 meters with 11 windows, it is adorned with 17 enormous mirrored arches and was the passageway the king used daily on his way to the Chapel. It is also impressive for its dazzling chandeliers and ceiling paintings by the artist Charles Le Brun.
All the paintings, reliefs, and grand domes adorning this place celebrate the famous Sun King of France.
It was also in the Mirror Room that the Treaty of Versailles was signed in June 1919, officially ending World War I. Today, walking through this room, visitors can admire the meticulously planned and maintained Versailles gardens.
Salon de Mercure
The Salon de Mercure is one of the seven most luxurious bedrooms in the Palace of Versailles. The room is distinguished by its vibrant burgundy color scheme. Originally used as a bedroom, it contained silver furniture. Later, the furniture was removed, and the Salon de Mercure was used as a game room and is now a gallery.
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House was planned for nearly 20 years but completed in just two years to be ready for the wedding of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. This opulent hall was used only about 40 times before the fall of the French feudal dynasties, partly due to its infrequent use, as it required 3,000 candles to illuminate the room for a single night.
Council Room
The Council Chamber was where the king made important decisions for the country from 1682 to 1789. In this room, the king sat in a velvet armchair in the center, while officials and council members sat on either side. All meetings held in this room were carefully guarded to prevent the leakage of important information.
The sculptures are arranged on the surface of the lake in the gardens of Versailles.
The gardens create a harmonious blend of nature and architecture.
The Palace of Versailles is also famous for its stunning gardens, comprising 55 lakes, 50 fountains, and hundreds of sculptures arranged throughout the grounds. Among the fountains, the largest is the Fountain of Latona, topped by a statue of Apollo. All the other fountains in the palace are connected to Latona and receive their water from it. The Gardens of Versailles are also one of the largest and most beautiful gardens in the world, covering an area of 101 km² with a clear geometric layout, symbolizing humanity's desire to rearrange nature while maintaining its overall harmony.
Latona Fountain
Opposite the garden is a crystal-clear swan lake, creating an elegant and refined landscape. The entire architectural structure clearly reflects the Baroque spirit, and is one of the first typical examples of French architectural planning.
The garden, designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, features orange trees grown in pots.
Equally striking within the palace grounds is a unique garden designed by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart. It boasts thousands of orange, lemon, and pomegranate trees, some over 200 years old. In winter, the trees are brought indoors, while in summer they are arranged in unique geometric patterns in the courtyard. The trees originate from various countries such as Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and were gifted to King Louis XIV as a token of respect and affection.
Royal Chapel
Furthermore, when visiting the Palace of Versailles, tourists should not miss the magnificent and unique architecture of the Chapel, with its roof reaching 40 meters high and a stone facade with large windows. As a sacred symbol at Versailles, the Royal Chapel stands taller than the surrounding buildings, symbolizing the power and importance of the king.
Things to note when visiting the Palace of Versailles
You can visit Versailles at any time of year. However, if you want to see the lush gardens, you should visit in spring and summer. Summer is also the busiest time for the Palace of Versailles, as the European weather is quite pleasant and tourists take advantage of the long holidays. Additionally, if you visit the palace in July, you have the chance to witness the Bastille Day celebrations with many fun and lively activities.
Early November is the perfect time to admire the romantic Versailles in autumn. And if you visit Versailles in late winter or early spring (January to March), you'll have the chance to attend the Musical Fountains Shows, Musical Gardens, and The Gallery of Coaches.
Versailles is about 20 km from Paris, and you can easily reach the palace from central Paris by car, taxi, bus, or train.
If you prefer trains, you can choose the route from Paris Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers, or from Paris Saint Lazare to Versailles Rive-Droite. Alternatively, the RER C line connects central Paris to Versailles Rive Gauche station, about a 5-minute walk from the palace, and the RATP 171 bus runs from Pont de Sèvres metro station to Versailles Palace.
Besides visiting and exploring the Palace of Versailles, you can also visit the nearby Marché Notre-Dame village and enjoy delicious dishes made with meat, cheese, or creative macarons.
Moreover, a visit to Le Louis Versailles Château, enjoying a royal riff cocktail, or a stop at Trianon Palace Versailles to sample a Michelin-starred meal prepared by chef Gordon Ramsay are also excellent ideas to accompany your exploration of the Palace of Versailles.
If you feel tired after strolling around the vast Palace of Versailles, you can use the tram service that runs around the area. For about 4 EUR per ride (over 100,000 VND), you can sit comfortably and admire the scenery. However, the trams stop operating after 5 PM.
Additional information
Ticket price: 18 EUR
Opening hours: from 9 AM daily, except Mondays.
government:Versailles
