The palace of Versailles is a royal chateau in France’s Île-de-France area and is simply called as Versailles. In French language it is known as the Château de Versailles.

Initially when the chateau was constructed, the Versailles was just a country village. At present, it is a Paris suburb. It is situated at a distance of 20 km from Paris. In the year 1682, Louis XIV, moved to the Palace of Versailles and it became the seat of power till the beginning of the French revolution, when the royal family was pushed to return back to Paris in the year 1789.

The Versailles consists of a number of grand rooms, parks and fountains. A visitor can take a stroll around the beautiful manicured gardens and pools. He can take a look at the Louis XIV apartments and the Hall of mirrors.

You can also enjoy the spectacular fountain show with a background music that was composed during the Louis XIV regime.

Hall of Mirrors

It is the central gallery located at the Palace of Versailles. This hall is filled with full of beautiful antique and priceless mirrors. In the year 2007, 48 out of the 357 antique mirrors were replaced and restoration work was carried out at a cost of $ 16 million. At present the hall is used as a reception hall for the visiting heads of state to France.

You can find grand rooms at the grand apartment du roi. Each room is dedicated to each planet. In the Louis XIV’s throne room, you will come to know a silver throne rested on a Persian carpet.

The seven rooms dedicated to the then known seven planets are,

Salon de Diane (for the Roman goddess of the hunt; Diana and linked with the Moon. This room also functioned as a room for playing billiards during the reign of Louis XIV.

Salon de Mars (for the, Roman god of war, Mars linked with the Mars planet).This room functioned as a ball room.

Salon de Mercure (for the Roman god of trade, commerce, and the Liberal Arts, Mercury, linked with the Mercury planet). This room functioned as a room for playing cards.

Salon d’Apollon (for the Roman god of the Fine Arts, Apollo, linked with the Sun),. This room functioned as a venue for conducting music or concerts.

Salon de Jupiter (for the Roman god of law and order, Jupiter, linked with the Jupiter planet)

Salon de Saturne (Saturn, Roman god of agriculture and harvest; associated with the planet Saturn)

Salon de Vénus (Venus, Roman goddess of love and beauty; associated with the planet Venus)

Opening hours

Except on Mondays, the palace is opened on all days

From 9 am to 5.30 pm and the last admission is at 5.pm

Admission fees

Entry fees is €8

For extra fees of €5, you will get a guide.

How to get there

From Paris you can take a “RER C” suburban train to Palace of Versailles

Palace Address

Château de Versailles
Place d'Armes - 78000 Versailles
Ph. No: 01 30 83 78 89

Accommodation

Hôtel De France
5 Rue Colbert
Versailles
01 30 83 92 23