Palace of Versailles

Updated on September 13, 2026

Louis XIV, the Sun King, wanted a château worthy of his image, and he succeeded with the construction of Versailles. Listed as a French historic monument, the Château de Versailles covers 63,154 m². Outside, vast French-style gardens grace an 815-hectare park. The park is also home to the Petit and Grand Trianon, the Queen's Hamlet, and the Orangery.

Highlights

The Hall of Mirrors

357 mirrors line the gallery's 17 arches, facing windows that look out over the garden designed by André Le Nôtre. This is where the Treaty of Versailles was signed, in June 1919.

The Marble Courtyard

At the foot of the King's Chamber, the Marble Courtyard is entirely paved with black and white marble tiles. On occasion, you can enjoy shows here with the whole family.

The Grand Trianon

Built in 1687 by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the pink marble and porphyry Grand Trianon was meant to give Louis XIV a place to retreat from the strict etiquette of the main château.

The Garden

For a beautiful, sweeping view of Le Nôtre's garden, stand in the Hall of Mirrors and look out over the flowerbeds laid out by Louis XIV. This colossal work stretches along the Royal Walk toward the Grand Canal and the park gates.

The Queen's Hamlet

The Queen's Hamlet is an outbuilding of the Petit Trianon. Its twelve wooden cottages are built around an artificial pond, letting the Queen enjoy the simple things in life.

The Petit Trianon

The Petit Trianon is part of Queen Marie-Antoinette's estate. Built amid meadows and groves to the east of the estate, the palace has been open to visitors since 2006 — a chance to immerse yourself fully in the private world of Louis XVI's wife.

Infos pratiques

Tips

From March to October, the château lights up with its Grandes Eaux Nocturnes show. Costumed evenings in the Hall of Mirrors are open to anyone who buys a prestige ticket. You can grab a bite at the Angelina tea room or at the Grand Café d'Orléans within the château grounds. The "La Brasserie de la Girandole" restaurant offers a terrace lunch in the gardens. Those who only want to visit the main château can do so for just 15 euros. If you prefer the delicate, rustic charm of the Queen's estate, it will cost you 10 euros.

How to get there

To reach the château, take RER line C to "Versailles Château Rive Gauche" station, or an SNCF train (arriving at "Versailles Chantiers" from Gare Montparnasse, or at "Versailles Rive Droite" from Gare Saint-Lazare). The Versailles Express coach runs 2 departures a day from Paris, Tuesday to Sunday.