palace of versailles virtual tours

VersaillesVR: The Palace is Yours

September 2019 | By Artist in Residence at Google Arts & Culture: Jonathan Tanant

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The Palace of Versailles Opens Its Digital Doors, A Free Tour of Everything

“It’s not a palace, it’s an entire city. Superb in its size, superb in its matter.” — Charles Perrault, 1687

Here’s my guide to taking a virtual tour of the Palace of Versailles. Versailles is the most ornate and famous royal chateau in France. Once hidden away behind closed doors, the palace is now yours for digital viewing at home from your couch or computer screen.

Versailles is honestly one of my least favorite places in France to visit in real life. The lines are spectacularly long. The palace spectacularly crowded. It’s hard to really admire the royal handiwork with the crush of people.

READ : Tourist Traps To Skip in Paris

But in this time of global uncertainly and angst — a time of canceled vacations and missed travel opportunities — the Palace of Versailles has generously opened its digital doors, at least temporarily.

The palace is offering an unprecedented free virtual tour to experience from home. Everything can be seen; nothing is omitted.

Short History of the Palace of Versailles

The UNESCO-listed Palace of Versailles was once the center and cultural heartbeat of Europe, until the French Revolution. The Sun King Louis XIV transformed his father’s hunting lodge into a monumental palace in the mid 17th century.

The palace was France’s political capital and royal seat from 1682 to 1789. The royal court had 3,000 residents.

The Palace of Versailles is ornately decorated, to say the least. It’s massive, flashy, and very, very gold. The opulence is overwhelming. Even the bathrooms are gold plated.

As exemplifies the Baroque style, the palace was decorated with gilding, stucco, arabesques, frescoed vaulted ceilings, mirrors, and tromp l’oeil effects. The king’s apartments were in the center, because the world revolved around him.

But the palace itself wasn’t enough for the king who ruled by divine right. In 1687, Louis XIV built the Grand Trianon. This swishy pad is where Louis XIV escaped the viper pit of court life and pursued his affair with Madame de Montespan.

The architect, Jules Hardouin-Mansart, described the refined structure as “a little palace of pink marble and porphyry, with marvelous gardens.”

Aside from Louis XIV, Versailles’ most famous occupant was Marie Antoinette . The queen made major changes to the palace’s decor in the 18th century. With the exception of the Hall of Mirrors, the interior is more Louis XVI style than Louis XIV style.

Marie Antoinette also adored the Petit Trianon, a little Neo-Classical palace on the grounds. When Louis XVI inherited it, he gifted it to his queen, saying “This pleasure house is yours.”

The Petit Trianon bears her distinctive decor and ornamentation — ornate floral motifs run amok in cornflower blue, lilac, and green, without the glitz of the main palace.

Not content with just the Petit Trianon, Marie Antoinette hired two architects to create a pastoral fantasy for her, the Hameau de la Reine.

On the surface, the Queen’s Hamlet appeared as a rural village of crackled tumbledown cottages and wisteria vines. (The countryside was fashionable at the time.) But inside, the cottages were decked out.

READ : Guide To the Marie Antoinette Trail in Paris

Designed by Andre Le Notre, the gardens of the Palace of Versailles are also a vast showstopper. Louis XIV wanted a verdant display to demonstrate his power and to entertain VIPs.

It’s one of the most influential landscape designs in French history — with a series of geometric gardens, groves, fountains, and parks.

Virtual Tour of the Palace of Versailles

The palace has partnered with Google Arts & Culture to present its virtual exhibits online. Google takes users on a journey of the palace’s rich decor and art collection of over 22,000 pieces.

You can also take an amazing virtual tour on the Palace of Versailles’ website . Nothing is left out! For example, you can stroll through:

1. The famed Hall of Mirrors (one of the most famous rooms in the world). You

have a 360 view of the Hall of Mirrors here .

2. The King’s Apartments

3. The Queen’s Apartment s

4. The Royal Chapel

5. The Grand Trianon

6. The Petit Trianon

7. The Queen’s Hamlet

8. The amazing fountains in the garden

9. The lavish Le Notre gardens

10. The art galleries

11. The Napoleon Rooms

12. Marie Antoinette’s private chambers

13. The Coronation Room

And there are plenty of online virtual exhibitions and stories to whet your appetite or feed your soul. This is the perfect opportunity to discover the secrets behind the fashions of Versailles , how Louis XIV honed his political image , the jewelry worn at Versailles, or the gossip about Louis XIV’s long reigning mistress Madame de Montespan .

Versailles 3D , created by Google, also gives you an impressive 3D tour of Versailles. For the latest photos and stories, you can check out the Palace of Versailles’ Facebook page .

If you’ve watched the BBC’s Versailles TV series, you visit the filming locations via my guide .

READ : 3 Day itinerary for Paris

I hope you’ve enjoyed my virtual Versailles guide. You may enjoy these other virtual tours of France attractions:

French landmarks

Paris landmarks

Paris museums

French chateaux

Virtual Musee d’Orsay

Virtual Louvre

If you’d like to take a virtual tour of Versailles, pin it for later.

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Last Updated on November 9, 2021 by Leslie Livingston

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Play VersaillesVR | the Palace is yours

About this game, system requirements.

• OS: Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 (AMD FX 8350)
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1060
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 20 GB available space
• VR Support: SteamVR
• Additional Notes: 64-bit operating system and processor needed
• Processor: Intel Core i5 6600K
• Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1070ti

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Look Inside the French Palace of Versailles

Tour of the palace of versailles.

The Palace of Versailles stands as a testament to the power and wealth that the French royal family had before its demise. It was originally constructed in 1682 under the order of King Louis XIV, the Sun King, and served as the royal residence until his grandson, Louis XVI, was removed during the French Revolution in 1789.

A total of 700 rooms are found within the 720,000-square-foot palace that rests on more than 2,000 acres just outside of Paris. Yes, that makes it one of the largest palaces in the world.

Have you ever wanted to see inside? While it is impossible to see all of the rooms in this massive palace, tours are available that showcase the first floor, where the kings and queens lived out their days surrounded by courtiers. But you don't need to visit France to get a peek at the bougie chateaux. Follow along on our tour!

Map of Versailles' Ground Floor

To enter Versailles meant entering the King's State Apartment in the northwestern wing of the first floor, as you can see on this map you can follow as we take you through more than two dozen rooms.

The King's State Apartment consisted of seven grand rooms designed to be imposing and lavish — just the king's way of letting the world know who he was.

As you made your way through the apartments, you were part of a parade to reach the King's private rooms. Ready to see inside?

Room of Abundance

Entering the Palace, the first sight for a courtier or guest would be the intimate Salon d'Abondance, or Drawing Room of Plenty.

Here, coats would be taken and one could catch their breath before being led through the parade of halls to follow. The room was filled with refreshments, with coffee and wine available to begin or end your evening.

Officially the main entrance of the King's State Apartment, the Venus Room is located at the top of the Ambassador's Staircase, or Grand Degre, which was destroyed in 1752.

This room begins the theme of mythology in the rooms, as Louis XIV himself was called the Sun King. Venus, the goddess of Love, is painted on the ceiling of the room.

During evening events, this room was filled with fresh fruit and flowers.

The goddess of the hunt and sister to the sun god, Apollo, received recognition in this room named for her. Hunting scenes are found on the walls and in paintings.

Louis XIV used this room to play billiards, and the room had tiered seating for guests to watch him compete. But you're not in the "real" State Apartments yet. The space is considered yet one more entrance before the State Apartments truly begin.

Each of the three main State Apartment rooms features walls of a bold red, symbolizing courage, war, vigor and love.

As the god of war, Mars was appropriate for this room that was mainly used as a guard room during the day and transformed into a ballroom during evening events.

Mercury Room

Often called the bedroom, the Mercury Room was originally the King's bedchamber before he relocated it to a much smaller space behind the walls of the Hall of Mirrors.

The king then used this room, instead, for game tables. However, the museum added the bed to the room to showcase it in its original state.

Apollo Room

The Sun King saved the best room for last, dedicating this room to the god of the sun and of war.The king used it as his throne room, which featured his "silver" throne — an armchair bedecked in sculptures and plaques of silver.

Hanging above the fireplace is a copy of the famous portrait of the king, painted by Hyacinthe Rigaud. The original hangs in the Louvre, but during the king's reign, it called the Apollo Room home.

War Drawing Room

At the end of the parade that covered the northwestern wing of the palace comes the corner drawing room known as the War Room, which was completed in 1686.

This marble-filled room features gilded trophies and weapons celebrating war victories of the French. The bas-relief in the faux-fireplace, for example, depicts Clio, the muse of history, recording the kings' victories, while the relief above it features Louis XIV trampling his enemies on horseback.

Hall of Mirrors

As you leave the War Drawing Room behind, you enter the room most famous for bringing peace: the Hall of Mirrors. This room was actually supposed to be a large terrace but became ornately decorated in a Baroque style with 357 mirrors displayed. The Venetian mirrors, during the time of the kings, illustrated wealth, so it was just one more extravagance of the king.

More importantly, however, this is the very hall where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, creating peace between the Allies and Germany following World War I.

Peace Drawing Room

After war and a treaty comes peace, and this corner room on the opposite end of the western wing is so called. It's not one of the King's State Apartments, though. This is the last room of the Queen's Grand Apartments.

Found in the southwestern wing, the apartments mirrored the king's on the opposite side of the palace and were made for Louis XIV's wife, Queen Maria Theresa.

Queen's Bedchamber

The Queen's bedchamber was open to court as it was common for the queen's toileting and childbirth to be on display. The queens did give birth in this room, although, thankfully, they were allowed a screen to give them some privacy.

Maria Theresa died in this bedroom shortly after these rooms were ready for her. The king then turned her collection of apartments into his personal apartments.

Noble Salon

When Queen Marie Leszcznska, the wife of King Louis XV, lived in these apartments, she used this room to hold her formal audiences with the ladies of the court, sitting in a circle.

The decor of this room, however, is credited to Marie Antoinette, who didn't like the original look.

Grand Couvert

An odd tradition during the era of French royalty was to watch the king and queen eat dinner. Called the Grand Couvert, this is the room where the public could come watch the couple dine.

Louis XIV had dinner here almost every night, but his son Louis XV liked dinners in private, and Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette only dined here once a week. The young queen added a platform for musicians and had music played during the event.

As the official entrance into the Queen's Apartments and located at the top of the Marble Staircase, this is where 12 guards were stationed night and day.

As such, the queens never used this room, and its decor is the original of the palace — one of the few!

Coronation Room

Although it is called the Coronation Room, this room was the guardhouse until the French Revolution and the rise of the First Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte.

He was crowned in 1804 but not here. He was crowned in Paris, so this is actually where the greatest paintings of his reign were on display, including one celebrating his crowning.

The Queen's Library

The queen did have some privacy, especially in this library that overlooks the Dauphin's Courtyard.

This room was given to Marie Antoinette while she was Dauphine and has remained intact since she used the space.

King's Bedchamber

Within the center of the palace, overlooking the Marble Courtyard, was the king's private rooms.

Louis XV relocated his bedchamber to this small south-facing location because it was easier to keep heated. He died in the room in 1774, and the room became the bedchamber to King XVI, the last King of France.

Mistresses' Apartment

The French kings were known for keeping mistresses, especially Louis XV, who is said to have cried when his love, Madame de Pompadour, died. 

Just a short — and private — walk to the king's private apartments, the space is actually found on the second floor and was an attic above the Mars, Mercury and Apollo rooms.

Dauphine's Chamber

The upper floors of the palace housed the royal family and courtiers and is where the Dauphine's chambers were located. Dauphines were the wives of the Dauphins, heirs to the throne — the French versions of princess and prince.

Before Marie Antoinette became queen, she used this collection of rooms that included a bedchamber and a sitting room.

The Gilded Room

Belonging to Madame Adelaide, the daughter of King XV, this private chamber served as a school for the princess.

The king also used the room for privacy and having his coffee.

King's Dining Room

One of the two rooms that had been Adelaide's apartments, this dining room overlooks the courtyard and was transformed by the king for his post-hunt dinners. (Remember, he liked his dinners private.)

When Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette ruled, this was one of their favorite rooms, where they would have dinner with their closest friends.

Louis XVI's Games Rooms

Connected to the dining room, this room became a game room for Louis XVI.

After dining, the dinner party could continue in this room well into the night.

Louis XVI's Library

The first room in the palace commissioned by Louis XVI when he became a young king was a new library.

As the younger family members lived on the upper floors, he had libraries but built this to be his largest and on the same floor with his apartments.

Royal Opera

In the South Wing, the stunning Royal Opera was the largest concert hall in Europe when it was first used in 1770 by Louis XV. The theater and ballroom were first used for the wedding of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

Now, the museum continues the tradition and features performances and concerts open to the public.

Hercules Room

In the North Wing, the Hercules Room was the last room Louis XIV was working on before his death. Formerly a chapel, the space was being converted following the completion of the grander chapel to which it is connected.

Louis XV finished the room, and it is an entrance to both the chapel and the Room of Abundance.

Royal Gallery

The last space Louis XIV saw to completion was this gothic chapel, which was dedicated to Saint Louis, of the family's ancestry and the kings' namesake.

The two-story chapel was used daily for the king's mass at 10 a.m.

Louis XIV enjoyed life away from the royal court, so he had the Grand Trianon constructed as a space with gardens to retreat. He also used it to entertain his mistress, who later lived here during the summer months.

This area on the Versailles' estate includes the first grand palace, a second smaller palace and gardens. Its name comes from the former village that occupied the land.

The Grand Trianon

The Grand Trianon is rather two palaces connected by a sheltered colonnade called the Peristyle.

Housing a North Wing, for State Apartments, and a South Wing, for residential use, the pink marble building was a favorite of Louis XIV.

The Round Room

This round room was the entrance to the first of Louis XIV's State Apartments, found in the North wing.

Mirror Room

Louis XIV's suite of apartments in the Grand Trianon included this Mirror Room, which was used as a council chamber.

Chapel Room

This room was originally used as a private chapel with an altar in the back and doors that could be closed to convert the room into a gathering space.

Louis XIV turned it into an antechamber during his reign.

Louis-Philippe's Family Room

In this palace that acted more like home, this was the family room to Louis-Philippe and was a relaxing place.

The tables were meant for card games.

Garden Room

Cards were also played in the Garden Room, which overlooks the Chestnut Grove and the Grand Canal.

Private Chamber

This room had a number of uses during its different rulers. A bedroom, a "resting room" and an office.

The artwork adorning the green damask walls are paintings of Apollo.

Breakfast Room

Preferring to eat his meals privately, Louis XIV enjoyed his supper in this room, where there was also an elevated platform for musicians.

Louis XV made the space a private office, but Napoleon turned it back into a dining room for breakfast.

Empress' Bedroom

Originally the bedroom of Louis XIV and where Louis XVIII died, this royal bedroom became the Empress' bedroom during Napoleon's tenure.

Emperor's Bedroom

This bedroom was originally used by Louis XV, who decorated the space with wood paneling.

But Napoleon used this as his bedroom once he took over the palace.

Petit Trianon

On the same estate as the Trianon, Louis XV added this smaller palace. He died here, but when his son and Marie-Antoinette became King and Queen, Louis XVI gave it to the queen.

Napoleon III's wife, Empress Eugenie, turned it into a museum dedicated to Marie-Antoinette.

As the original chapel had been removed, Louis-Philippe created this private chapel out of Louis XIV's former billiard room.

Queen's Theater

Hidden in the gardens of the Grand Trianon is a theater commissioned by Marie-Antoinette.

Renowned for loving the arts, she wanted a class theater for performances. This one seats 250 with an orchestra pit that holds 20 musicians.

The Queen's Hamlet

Marie-Antoinette felt that even the Petit Trianon was still not enough of an escape from the royal court.

So, the King presented her with a rustic hamlet, the Hameau de la Reine, built even farther away as a retreat just for her.

The Queen's Stage

The Flemish-designed buildings created a neighborhood grotto around a lake and gave the young Queen a place to escape the glamor and glitz of Versailles as she entertained her closest friends in private.

The entire space was designed to look like a stage.

Marie Antoinette's Maison

The largest building of the Hamlet was, of course, the Queen's House, called Maison de la Reine. Designed like a stage that connected Antoinette's bedroom, boudoir, dining room, salon and billiards room, its construction was meant to be temporary.

The house was restored in 2018, and it is filled with pieces from Empress Marie-Louise's estate, as Antoinette's furnishings were destroyed and scattered during the French Revolution.

Yellow Salon

The largest salon in Marie-Antoinette's house was airy and sunny with walls hung in yellow silk.

This first-floor room welcomed only the closest of her friends.

The Boudoir

This intimate room featured wood floors, white marble and mirrors and was used by Marie-Antoinette for just a few guests.

Its name says it all.

The Guard House and Dovecote

The Dovecote was not only home to doves but hens, roosters and chicken that Marie-Antoinette chose herself.

Each building in the hamlet had a vegetable garden. The hamlet's agricultural buildings were actually used as such. Workers lived in these buildings, including the head gardener.

This honor went to Jean Bersy, who was also in charge of Marie-Antoinette's safety when she was in the hamlet.

Marlborough Tower and Working Dairy

The tower of the hamlet is a part of the fisherman's cottage and was used to store fishing equipment.

The dairy supplied the rich butter and creams Marie-Antoinette so famously loved to enjoy.

The Windmill

The windmill, however, wasn't actually a mill.

It was painted in trompe-l'oeil to look like a deteriorating French countryside building.

The Gardens of Versailles are considered to be the most beautiful in the world — so much so that other royal families have attempted to recreate their own versions of these grand gardens.

Designed by landscape architect Andre Le Notre, there are more than 350,000 trees throughout the 2,000 acres that feature a Grand Canal and an Orangerie.

The gardens are most famous for their fountains, of which there are 50 with various themes. Fifteen groves, like the one pictured here, were created as small gardens with fountains surrounded by walls of trees and greens to hide them away.

From outside the palace, follow the Water Walk that leads to the famous Neptune Fountain, constructed in 1682, and reach the Dragon Fountain, which tells the story of Apollo and has water jets that make this fountain the tallest of them all.

Long before refrigerators and freezers, to keep ice meant creating large buildings with thick stone walls. 

The first ice stores at Versailles were added during Louis XIV's reign.

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The Palace of Versailles is offering a free virtual tour

By Manon Garrigues

From The Hall of Mirrors to The Grand Trianon via the beautiful fountains, The Palace of Versailles is opening its digital doors for a virtual tour to be experienced from your own home.

22,000 pieces of art to experience online

In this time of uncertainty with many cultural spaces closed, museums are offering an alternative to allow fans to make the most of their treasures and pieces: the virtual tour. After the MET , the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay , it's now the Palace of Versailles 's turn to open its galleries for an interactive stroll through the sages. Including the Hall of Mirrors , the Grand Trianon, the royal apartments, a peaceful work of art created for Marie Antoinette along with numerous gardens and fountains, not a single corner has been missed. Access to the virtual exhibitions is free is comes in partnership with Google Arts & Culture and takes users on a journey throughout the rich collections of the Palace and its art collection of over 22,000 pieces, which have all been detailed thoroughly on the site. This is the perfect opportunity to discover the secrets behind the famous Sacre de Napoléon , the stunning Marie Leszczynska furniture and other souvenirs from a fabulous era.

Head to the Palace of Versailles website for the virtual tour

Translated by Oliver Russell

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Palace of Versailles Versailles, France

Listed for the past 30 years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palace of Versailles constitutes one of the finest achievements of French art of the 17th century. The former hunting lodge of Louis XIII was transformed and extended by his son Louis XIV who installed here the Court and the government of France in 1682. Up until the French Revolution, a line of kings succeeded each other, each taking his turn to embellish the Palace.The Hall of Mirrors, the King's Grand Apartments, the gardens… The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited cultural sites in the world today.

Sciences at Versailles part 1: science & power

Palace of versailles, sciences at versailles part 2: astronomy, queen of sciences, sciences at versailles part 3: discovering new worlds, geography, sciences at versailles part 4: cascade creation, water engineering, sciences at versailles part 5: botany & zoology, a taste for exoticism, sciences at versailles part 6: fit for a king, medicine and surgery, sciences at versailles part 7 : the science show, physics and chemistry, sciences at versailles part 8: mechanics, automatons and hot-air balloons, louis xiv / nicolas fouquet: a certain history of taste, palace of versailles - the château of vaux le vicomte, a place at the royal table, the palace of versailles in comic books, immortalising versailles, tour of the royal opera house, the codes of comic books, marie-antoinette: mother & queen, fashion at versailles: “for her”, louis xiv: the construction of a political image, fashion at versailles: “for him”, tour of the queen's chamber, in this collection, 5 museum views.

The Palace of Versailles or Château de Versailles, which has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List for 30 years, is one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th-century French art. One of the best known tourist attractions in France, few places better showcase the opulence and grandeur of the French monarchy better than the Palace of Versailles. The site began as Louis XIII's hunting lodge before his son Louis XIV transformed and expanded it, moving the court and government of France to Versailles in 1682. Each of the three French kings who lived there until the French Revolution added improvements to make it more beautiful. The Hall of Mirrors, the King's Grand Apartments, the Museum of the History of France. The Château de Versailles, the seat of power until 1789, has continued to unfurl its splendour over the course of centuries. At first it was just a humble hunting lodge built by Louis XIII. But Louis XIV chose the site to build the palace we know today, the symbol of royal absolutism and embodiment of classical French art.

Currently 12 panoramas in this collection

The Hall of Mirrors (La Grande Galerie) #1

The Hall of Mirrors (French:Grande Galerie or Galerie des Glaces) is the central gallery of the Palace of Versailles and is renowned as being one of the most famous rooms in the world. The principal feature of this famous hall is the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the gardens. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors with a total complement of 357 used in the decoration of the galerie des glaces.

2011-04-03 Show on map

The Hall of Mirrors (La Grande Galerie) #2

The Hercules Salon

The first salon of the King's Grand Apartment, the Hercules salon was created at the end of Louis XIV's reign. The works on the Hercules salon lasted until 1736, when Francois Lemoine completed the painting of the vault depicting the Apotheosis of Hercules, which was supposed to show that "Virtue raises man above himself". This vast allegorical composition with 142 figures aimed to rival the masterpieces of the Italian fresco painters but it was painted on primed canvases, i.e. glued onto the support. The work was so exhausting that the young painter, despite the success of his work, committed suicide shortly afterwards.

The Coronation Room

This large space adjoining the royal apartments first served as the palace's second chapel (1672-1682), and then the Great Guard's Room "for both the King and the Queen" (1682-1789). In 1833, it became a room devoted to the glory of Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul and then Emperor of the French. The plan was to display the greatest paintings of his reign, which could not be placed anywhere else in the palace: the two immense paintings commissioned from Jacques-Louis David to commemorate the ceremonies celebrating Napoleon's crowning as Emperor of the French: The Coronation of 2 December 1804 (1805-1808), and The Distribution of the Eagle Standards on 5 December 1804 (1808-1810). The Palace of Versailles.

2011-03-13 Show on map

The War Salon (Salon de la Guerre)

The decoration of the War Room (Salon de la Guerre) glorifies the military victories that led to the Peace of Nijmegen. The walls are covered with marble panels decorated with six trophies and gilded bronze carvings. The wall has an oval plasterwork bas-relief representing Louis XIV on horseback trampling over his enemies. It is surmounted by two gilded Renomm�es supported by two prisoners in chains. The ceiling represents France in the centre, armed and sitting on a cloud, surrounded by Victories. The ceiling panels portray the king�s three conquered enemies: Germany, kneeling, with an eagle; Spain, threatening, with a ro#229 lion and Holland, upside down on a lion. The fourth panel represents Bellone, Goddess of war, enraged between Rebellion and Discord.

The Peace Salon (Salon de la Paix)

The Peace Room (Salon de la Paix) features the same decoration of marble panel and trophies of gilded bronze and carved weapons as in the War Room, to which is symmetrical. However, Le Brun decorated the cupola and the ceiling panels with the benefits of the peace given to Europe by France.

The 1830 Room

The 1830 Room was the finishing touch on Louis-Philippe's galleries at Versailles when it was inaugurated in June 1837. The decor commemorates the accession to power of Louis-Philippe, Duc d'Orléans, following the July 1830 Revolution, the "Three Glorious Days": first as lieutenant-general of the kingdom and, a few days later, as king "elected" by the French under the name Louis-Philippe I. The Duc d'Orléans Arriving at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris" and "The Reading of the Proclamation of Deputies and the Proclamation of the Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom", "Louis-Philippe Taking the Oath before the Chambers to Uphold the Charter of 1830" and "The Flags of the National Guard Being Given to Paris" hang beneath the ceiling depicting "Truth Accompanying Justice and Wisdom, Protecting France from Hypocrisy, Fanaticism and Discord".

The Hall of Battles

The Galerie des Batailles (Gallery of Battles) is a 120 metre long and 13 metre wide gallery occupying the first floor of the aile du midi of the Palace of Versailles, joining onto the grand and petit 'appartements de la reine'. It is an epigone of the Grande galerie of the Louvre and was intended to glorify French military history from the Battle of Tolbiac (traditionally dated 495) to the Battle of Wagram (5–6 July 1809).

The Abundance Salon

On evening soirees, the Abundance Salon was the place of refreshments, where a buffet served coffee, wine and liqueurs. It was also the antechamber of the Cabinet of Curiosities or the Rarities of Louis XIV (now occupied by the Games Salon of Louis XVI) which was accessed by the rear door. The king liked to show his distinguished guests the silverware vases, gems and medals which were kept here and which inspired the decor of the vault, where one can see in particular the great royal vessel depicted above the doorway.

The Diana Salon

Like the Venus Salon, the Diana Salon served as a vestibule to the Grand Apartment and in Louis XIV's day, on evening soirees, as a billiard room. In Greek Antiquity, Diana, the goddess of hunting, was associated with the moon due to her coldness. She was also the sister of Apollo, the Sun God. The mouldings are decorated with hunting scenes of heroes of the Antiquity. The central part of the ceiling represents Diana presiding over navigation and hunting. On the mantelpiece, the Sacrifice of Iphigenia and, opposite, over the console, Diana and Endymion.

The Mars Salon

Mars is a planet but also the God of War. The choice of this military theme which inspired all the decoration of the salon can be explained by the fact that this large room was originally meant to serve as the guard room for the parade apartment. It was later reserved, at evening soirees, for music and dancing, so that it was commonly known as the "ballroom". In the centre of the ceiling, Mars on a chariot drawn by wolves. The work is framed by two compositions; one, to the east: Victory supported by Hercules followed by Abundance and Felicity; the other, to the west: Terror, Fury and Fright taking over the powers of Earth.

The Venus Salon

This salon, as well as Diana�s Salon, formed the main access to the Grand Apartment, since the grand staircase, known as the "Ambassadors� Staircase" (destroyed in 1752) ended here. Like all the following rooms, this salon takes its name from a planet, the theme linked to the solar myth which inspired all the decor of Versailles in the 1670s. Here Venus is depicted on the ceiling with the features of the Goddess of Love who, in Greek Antiquity, was associated with this planet.

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In the apartments of Madame du Barry, the final favourite

In direct proximity to the King’s small apartments hides a treasure: the rooms of Madame du Barry, Louis XV’s last mistress. This space, which has been recently restored, contains one of the most refined and iconic ensembles of 18 th -century art. During your visit, immerse yourself in the history and emotion imbued in this very private space, which has been returned to its former glory.

Price per group, maximum of 10 people depending on the space

Booking required, contact [email protected]

Guided tours

• Led by a tour guide from the Palace of Versailles
• Tours of different parts of the Palace depending on the theme, such as the State Apartments or the Hall of Mirrors, and areas not open to the public on unaccompanied tours.
• After the tour, visitors have access to all the sites of the Estate.
• During public opening hours

Book online

Consult the practical guide for guided tours .

Tour : 1h30 600 € per group 25 people maximum per group

Marie Antoinette in private

The Queen’s Inner Rooms have reopened after several years of renovation. Tucked away behind the State Apartment, these elegantly decorated rooms underwent multiple changes. Marie-Antoinette left her mark on them in the most exquisite way. The refined furniture, the paintings and art objects all reflect her personality, lifestyle and love of decoration, the arts and fashion. NB: this visit includes numerous steps.

Price per group, maximum of 10 people depending on the space .

The King's Private Apartments

Beyond the walls and ceremonial life of the State Apartment, was the Kings' Private Apartment. Discover the intimate atmosphere and refined decoration of this "small apartment” which include the Clock Room, the recently restored Corner Room, the library and Louis XVI's Games Room.

North Ministers' wing

Enter several dates in the book form. This visit is available every

opening day except on public

holidays and on

free Sundays .

The King's Private Apartments

Splendorous Versailles

Versailles’s treasures down to the smallest details! Let yourself be amazed by the King’s chamber, a dazzling reflection of the King’s glory, by the sparkling Hall of Mirrors and its three hundred and fifty seven mirrors, and by all the wonders which contributed to the fame of the Sun King’s Palace.

• Motor deficiencies
• Visual impairment

The Queen’s Hamlet, from Marie-Antoinette to Marie-Louise

At the back of the estate, along the banks of the lake, you’ll find the thatched cottages of the Queen’s Hamlet, built by Richard Mique for Marie-Antoinette. After surviving an epic, eventful period, they illustrate the Queen’s love for the charm of country living. Certain houses were dedicated to farming, others reserved for the pleasures of taking promenades and holding receptions. The interiors reveal refined decor, contrasting with their rustic appearance. Come and rediscover them after their recent restoration.

Walking tour of the Palace

The Palace of Versailles is full of true treasures that are unknown to visitors: secret passages, rooms, private apartments, bathrooms and other hidden places. In this royal residence, the symbol of absolute power and French artistic and cultural prestige, the apartments of kings, queens, mistresses and courtiers illustrate everyday life at Court and key events in France’s history.

The Petit Trianon of Marie-Antoinette

The Queen received the Petit Trianon as a gift by Louis XVI in 1774. The Estate will become her kingdom. Freed from the Etiquette, she created a world matching her personality and the fashion of her time.

The Petit Trianon

The Petit Trianon and the Queen's theater

In 1774, Louis XVI gave the Queen the Petit Trianon. The estate will become her kingdom. Freed from the etiquette, she created there a world that reflects her personality and the trends of her time.

The Petit Trianon and the Queen's theater

Prestige Tours

• An exceptional visit with a tour guide from the Palace of Versailles
• Access to the main areas of the Palace : the State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors ...
• Outside of public opening times

Reservation request by e-mail at:  [email protected]

Price on request

Self-guided tours of the State Apartments

• With your own guide (including speaking rights)
• Access to the main circuits: the State Apartments, the Dauphin’s Apartment, Louis XV’s Daughters’ Apartments, the Palace Police Room, the Captain of the Guard’s Apartment, the Hall of Mirrors, the Gallery of Coaches, the Gallery of Sculptures and Casts, and the exhibitions

View the general conditions of sale .

Bookings at: +33 (0)1 30 83 04 05, on site or on the online ticket office.

All groups of 5 or more (except for school groups and special audiences) must be equipped with audiophones , whether inside the palace or in the grounds. If you don't have your own equipment, you can hire it on site, by phone or by selecting the Audiophone product in the online ticket office.

€21 per person 30 people maximum

Passport Add-on

In addition to the Self-Guided tours of the State Apartments  ticket, this offer will give you access to:

• The Estate of Trianon: Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon and the Queen’s Hamlet
• The Gardens, including on Musical Fountains Show and Musical Garden days

Information on prices and bookings on site or by phone at: +33 (0)1 30 83 04 05 .

All groups (except for school groups and special audiences) must be equipped with audiophones , whether inside the palace or in the grounds. If you don't have your own equipment, you can hire it on site, by phone or by selecting the Audiophone product in the online ticket office.

30 people maximum

Self-guided tours of the Private Apartments

• With your own guide, specially trained for these tours
• Visit the Private Apartments of Louis XV – Louis XVI, the Royal Opera House and the Royal Chapel (not open to the public on unaccompanied tours)
• Admission to the main circuits: the State Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, Louis XV's daughters Apartments, the Coach Gallery and exhibitions

Access new guidelines for reception of groups

See the terms and conditions of sale  and the practical guide for self-guided tours .

Booking by email  [email protected] .

600 € for groups of 8 to 25 people

300 € for groups of 7 people or less

Fountains Shows and Musical Gardens

From 29 March to 31 October 2024, enjoy the Musical Gardens and the Great Musical Waters in the gardens and groves opened for the occasion. Every Saturday evening from 8 June to 21 September, Sunday 14 July, friday 28 June and Thursday 15 August, discover the Gardens in the evening with the The Night Fountains Show.

Exhibition Horace Vernet

Exhibition held at the Palace of Versailles from 14 November 2023 to 17 March 2024

The 2023-2024 musical season

The Palace of Versailles is hosting numerous operas, concerts, gala evenings and ballets in some of its exceptional spaces, including the Royal Opera and the Royal Chapel. Check out the programme for the 2023–2024 music season at Versailles.

The Olympic Games at the Palace of Versailles

In 1682, the year the French Court was definitively installed at the Palace of Versailles, Louis XIV had the Great and Small Stables built to accommodate more than 600 horses. Horses have been a major feature at Versailles ever since, so it’s only natural that the equestrian events, as well as the modern pentathlon, of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will take place in the Park of the Palace of Versailles.

The official Palace of Versailles app.

The free application of the Palace offers audio tours to accompany your visit to the Estate (Palace, Gardens, Trianon Estate, etc.) as well as an interactive map.

Audiophones

Audiophones must be reserved for groups of more than five people (in addition to the speaker).