The Palace of Versailles in Versailles - France

History of the Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles was built on the orders of King Louis XIV to serve as his main palace as well as being a symbol of his absolute power. It was completed in 1710 and the king and his courtiers have lived there ever since. The palace was built in the then-new “French Baroque” style. This was a new type of architecture that was being used at the time in France which was very different from the traditional European architectural styles. The construction of the palace was an enormous feat of engineering. It was built to accommodate thousands of people at a time in an age when indoor plumbing was rare and air travel was non-existent. The Palace of Versailles was not just a residence for a king. It was the seat of the French government and a hub of culture and art. The artists and writers of the time, including Voltaire and Molière, were frequent guests of the king and many of them were given rooms at the palace where they could live and create their art in luxury.

Why visit The Palace of Versailles?

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most beautiful and impressive buildings in the world and a visit to this attraction is a must if you are traveling to France. You will be able to see the opulence of a king’s palace at the peak of his power and see what life was like for those who lived in such opulent surroundings. The Palace of Versailles is an important reminder of the power of the monarchy and the importance of good governance in a country’s development. The palace has been open to the public since 1838 and a visit to The Palace of Versailles is a highlight for tourists visiting France.

Getting to The Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is located in the town of Versailles which is about 25 miles southwest of Paris. There are several ways to get to The Palace of Versailles from Paris. The most convenient option is to take a train to Versailles-Rive Gauche station. The easiest and quickest way to get to the palace if you are coming from Paris is to take the RER C line on the metro and get off at Versailles-Rive Gauche. This journey takes about 30 minutes. You can also take the RER Line B towards Mantes/Mer which will take about 45 minutes.

How Many Visitors?

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited attractions in France. It is estimated that approximately 10 million visitors go to the palace every year. This number, however, is down from the previous decades when the palace attracted more than twice as many visitors each year. This is due to a variety of reasons, including a reduction in the number of days the palace is open to the public. Most visitors come from France and other European countries. Asian visitors are growing in numbers every year and The Palace of Versailles is increasingly becoming an attraction for visitors from China.

Things to see at the Palace of Versailles

The Hall of Mirrors - The palace’s most famous room is the Hall of Mirrors. This is a stunning room with 17 mirrors that are around 7 feet tall and 17 feet wide. The hall was built to reflect the power and glory of the French kings. The Hall of Mirrors was the setting for some of the most important events in French history. It was in this room that the Treaty of Versailles was signed, bringing an end to World War I.

The Grand Trianon - This is a smaller palace within the grounds of the main Palace of Versailles which was built as a “private escape” for the king. The Grand Trianon was also used as an entertainment venue for guests of the king. The Grand Trianon has now been converted into a museum and is open to the public.

You can also take a walk through the beautiful gardens and learn more about the history of the palace at the Museum of Versailles. The Palace of Versailles is an important reminder of the power of the monarchy and the importance of good governance in a country’s development.