Fabulous Palace of Versailles is a testament to the extravagance of the Sun King, Louis XIV. The palace and its beautiful formal garden became the main model for palaces throughout Europe.

• From Paris: 22 km from Paris, 35 minutes by car.

Versailles opening hours:

April - October:

• Palace 9:00 - 18:30, last entry 18:00, ticket office closes at 17:50. Closed on Mondays.
• Trianon Palace and Marie Antoinette Manor - 12:00 - 20:30, closed on Mondays.
• Garden - daily 8:00 - 20:30.
• Park - daily 7 - 19 for vehicles and 7 - 20:30 for pedestrians.

November - March

• Palace 9:00 - 17:30, last entry 17:00, ticket office closes at 16:50. Closed on Mondays.
• Trianon Palace and Marie Antoinette Manor - 12:00 - 17:30, closed on Mondays.
• Garden and park - daily, except Mondays, 8:00 - 18:00.

Entrance to Versailles:

• A ticket to the Palace of Versailles costs 15€ for adults (including audio guide), reduced price - 13 €, under 18s free of charge.
• "Hidden Versailles" - with a guide, private apartments - 16 €.
• Trianon Palace and the estate of Marie Antoinette - 10 € (preferential - 6 €).
• Complete Versailles: 18 €(25 € on days of music concerts).
• Forfaits Loisirs combo ticket (all of Versailles + tickets from Paris and to Paris)- 21.75 € weekdays, 26 € weekends. You can buy at the SNCF railway ticket offices. (the best way).

In summer after 15:00 entrance to the territory of the palace (park) for free.

The first Sunday of every month from November to March - a free tour of the apartments, the coronation room, the Trianon Palace and the Marie Antoinette estate.

How to get to Versailles:

From public transport, the most convenient way to get to Versailles is by direct train:

• : stop Versailles Rive Gauche(ticket zone 1 - 4, regular T+ is not valid).
• : Versailles-Chantiers(from) or Versailles-Rive Droite(trains from Gare St-Lazare). Travel time is about 20 minutes. Then walk to Versailles following the signs - 15 minutes.

Train ticket to Versailles: 7.10 € in both directions, at the ticket machine you need to select the final destination - Versailles Rive Gauche.

Tickets are valid: Paris Visite (1 - 5 zones) - from 11.15 € / day.

Train timetable to Versailles - RER C:

Route map RER C (download PDF):

Maps of Versailles:

A Brief History of Versailles

Versailles is located about 20 kilometers from Paris. The first mention of the city and the estate was in 1038, when the name appeared in the charter of the abbey of Saint Pere de Chartres. At the end of the 11th century, Versailles was a provincial village comprising the castle and the church of Saint-Julien, which remained prosperous well into the early 13th century. After the Hundred Years War, however, only a handful of people lived there.

royal presence

In the 16th century, the Gondi family became the rulers of Versailles, and the city became popular when the future King Louis XIII visited the place and was fascinated by its beauty. In 1622 he bought land in the area and set about building a small house of stone and brick.
Statue of Louis XIV
Ten years later, he became the master of Versailles and began expanding his lodge. He soon acquired more land, as well as the property of Gondi Louis XIII died in 1643.

Sun King

In 1662, the new king - Louis XIV - was very interested in Versailles. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, distrusted the Parisians and wanted to move his royal residence away from the Louvre, which was constantly at the center of political fuss. The Sun King was largely responsible for the expansion of Versailles, which resulted in the building that still stands today. He hired the architect Louis Le Vau and the painter Charles Le Brun to build this Baroque masterpiece that has become a typical example of all palaces in Europe. The famous gardener André Le Nôtre was responsible for the unrivaled garden of Versailles.

royal chapel

After the death of the architect Le Vau, Jules Hardouin-Mansart was ordered to triple the size of the palace. Under his watchful eye, the north and south wings, the Orangerie, the Grand Trianon (castle) and the royal chapel were built. Later, an opera and the Petit Trianon (a small castle) were added, which was built between 1761 and 1764 for Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour.

French revolution

During the French Revolution, the incredible collection of paintings, antiques and other works of art that had been accumulated at Versailles were donated to and other important items were sent to the National Library and the Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. Most of the furniture, according to historians, was sold at auction.

Royal Palace

After the Revolution, Napoleon spent his summers at Versailles until he abdicated. Later, Louis-Philippe lived here, who in 1830 turned the castle into a grand museum dedicated to the "Glory of France". The Chapel, the Opera House, and the Hall of Mirrors were preserved, but many of the smaller rooms were demolished to make way for spacious exhibition halls. However, in the 1960s, the curator Pierre Verlet managed to get some of the furniture back and restore a number of royal apartments.

Today, visitors can visit Versailles, see much of the interior of this magnificent palace as well as the world famous garden.

Versailles Museum:

Notable numbers include:

mirror hall

Some call the Hall of Mirrors Louis XIV's most notable contribution to Versailles. Main Feature The hall is seventeen mirrored arches that reflect the seventeen arcade windows that overlook the equally magnificent garden of Versailles. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors, for a total of 357 mirrors in the room. This magnificent hall is 73 meters long, 10.5 meters wide and 12.3 meters high. Statues and busts are displayed along the walls. The Hall of Mirrors has always played an important role in history, including in 1919, when the first World War officially ended, Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles in this hall.

royal chapel

Currently, the chapel is already the fifth in a row in the palace. Construction began in 1689 and was completed around 1710. Here is a "tribune" on the same level as the royal apartments, overlooking the nave, where the kings sat while participating in mass. The architecture is a combination of Gothic and Baroque. Many details of the chapel are reminiscent of the cathedrals of the Middle Ages, including the gargoyle and gabled roof, colored marble tiles on the floor, columns and carved pillars.

Grand Apartment

Originally known as the apartments of the planets (each of the 7 salons of this apartment has a painting of the planets), it was the apartments of King Louis XIV. While all the apartments are mesmerizing, the most notable are the ceilings painted by the King's painter Charles Lebrenoy and his team of artists.

Royal Opera

The auditorium of the Opera is clad entirely in wood, making it one of the most acoustically live theaters in the world. Although it was a court theater and was not intended for a huge audience, it seats over 700 people. Gold, pink and green dominate the decor of the Opera, whose construction was finally completed only in 1770. It was first used for the wedding ball of the future King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and boasts a unique mechanical system that elevates the floor to stage level. Today, the Opera is still used for concerts and opera performances.

park geometry

Spread over 100 hectares, the garden of Versailles is the largest palace garden in Europe. It was created in the 17th century by the landscape gardener André Le Nôtre, who designed what can be considered the quintessential French formal garden. The garden is laid out in the form of a geometric pattern created by paths, shrubs, flower beds and trees. Le Nôtre also drained the swampy, sloping terrain and created a series of pools and a large channel known as the Grand Canal.

Fountain of Laton

Several fountains adorn the pools. The most famous are the Laton Fountain - with a statue of the goddess Latona - and the Apollo Fountain - named after the sun god and depicting the sun king riding in chariots. There are several other fountains in the garden such as the Neptune Fountain. The fountains were installed to entertain the many guests invited to the lavishly organized balls of King Louis XIV.

Another notable decoration in the garden is the Colonnade, a circular row of marble columns designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart.

Small Trianon

In Versailles there are also several smaller palaces located in the garden: the Great Trianon and the Petit Trianon. About 10,000 people worked in the Palace of Versailles, so you could not count on privacy. Therefore, King Louis XIV ordered the construction of the Grand Trianon, a palace almost as luxurious as the main palace, where the king could escape the formalities of the court and arrange a rendezvous with his mistress. His successor, King Louis XV later built an even smaller palace - the Petit Trianon - for the same reason.

The more closely you peer into the history of France, the more you are surprised at the desire of kings to surpass their predecessors in luxury. Everyone tried to make their residence bigger and richer, spending simply fantastic money on landscaping, and Versailles in France is a vivid example of regal splendor that takes your breath away.

Versailles - a respectable suburb of Paris

Today, the Museum of Versailles is known throughout the world thanks to Louis XIII of the Bourbon dynasty, who wished to have his own secluded nest. In 1623, Jean de Soisy sold his lands to the king, on which a small hunting lodge of five rooms grew out of stone, brick and roofing slate.

Apparently, Louis XIII really lacked peace and quiet, since he chose such an unremarkable place. The French philosopher Saint-Simon said of him: "Never before have I seen a more desolate and barren place - without water, land and forest". Indeed, only swamps and sand stretched around, and the population was so small that in the chronicles of the 11th century the settlement is mentioned as a modest, unremarkable village, hidden behind a hill, whose name is explained by the name of the first feudal lord-owner - Hugh de Versailles.

This locality arose only because it lay on the path from Normandy to, and the travelers had to stop somewhere to rest. Louis XIII liked to spend time here with friends, and later, where the mill once stood, and later the Marble Court appeared, a modest hunting lodge arose. Then it was difficult to predict that one day it would grow and become known as the Palace of Versailles.

Located 17.1 km southwest of the capitals of France, Versailles is now considered an important administrative center of the Yvelines department with a population of over 85,900 inhabitants. Now it is surrounded by lush forests, and a successful layout, laid down in the 18th century, became a model for imitation during the development of Washington.

The first reforms: from the hut to the palace

Since monarchs have always been distinguished by inconstancy, a thirst for change, and the desire for luxury is in their blood, already in 1632 the lands of Gondi were added to the territory of the king, which made it possible to significantly expand the hunting estate. 4 towers, 2 additional wings and a wall covering the entrance join the building. As defensive measures, a wall grows around and a moat appears, and now it is not just a holiday home, but a real fortified castle, ready to soon turn into a royal residence.

Louis XIV, the son of the previous monarch, turned out to be more ambitious, and in 1661 he began to reconstruct his heritage, and then finally moved into it. His desire to prove himself is understandable, because for too long the reins of government were in the tenacious hands of his mother, Anna of Austria, and the minister, Cardinal Mazarin.

Another reason why the Sun King decides to make the Palace of Versailles the center of government of the country is the Fronde of 1648-1653, after which the monarch did not feel too comfortable in Paris.

The inspiration for the construction of the beautiful royal palace was the chic residence of the Minister of Finance Fouquet - Vaux-le-Vicomte. In 1661, the minister was arrested, his property was confiscated, and the trio of architects who worked on his chateau were hired by Louis XIV with the condition that his mansions become a hundred times better.

Architect of the Palace of Versailles

This project turned out to be a swan song for them, because until the end of their days they were engaged in building and improving the Palace of Versailles.

Construction costs of the Palace of Versailles

Such a colossal plan required great human and financial sacrifices. All free hands were involved in the work, including peasants, soldiers and sailors from all adjacent territories. In order to increase the number of builders, any other construction was prohibited during the construction of the chateau, and this provided more than 30,000 people on the site.

As for money, the amount spent on the castle is shocking - almost 26 million livres, which corresponded to 10,521,867 kg of silver, and in terms of modern money, this is about 259.56 billion euros. At the same time, for the king, all materials were sold at exceptionally low prices, and if the performers went beyond the boundaries of the estimate, they were not paid the difference.

Construction of the Palace of Versailles

At times, the construction subsided, but not for long, and Louis again directed his gaze to the future palace, wanting to complete the grandiose project as soon as possible. Until 1682, he constantly moved between and Versailles, until he decides to completely move to a new residence with the whole court.

This decision is dictated by several reasons. Firstly, the Sun King understood that the only way to prevent a conspiracy in the bud was to keep the aristocratic elite in front of his eyes. Secondly, there was constant unrest in Paris, and it became dangerous to stay there. Thirdly, luxurious mansions demonstrated France to the whole world as the main player in the military, political and cultural field.

The stages of construction are marked by periods of wars. The first phase of perestroika work lasted from 1664 to 1668, when the war broke out with Spain. By this time, the palace was able to receive up to 600 people.

In 1669, after the battle for the Netherlands, the second three-year period of improvement began: the central part, the former hunting lodge, was being changed, and the surrounding territories were being remade. The southern wing was converted into the chambers of Queen Maria Theresa, and is almost identical to the northern wing of the Sun King, and the western zone became a terrace. An octagonal soaking tub and children's rooms on the upper floors were also provided.

In 1678, the Dutch War ends, and the third part of work on the palace begins until 1684. At this time, the western terrace turns into the Mirror Gallery, connecting the separate chambers of the crowned couple. It is distinguished by true chic and richness of design even today, although a large batch of decor was sold as early as 1689.

New outbuildings for princes and nobles appear, and a greenhouse is located in two huge halls. This stage in construction is also marked by the fact that the surrounding land is gradually being transformed into the beautiful gardens of Versailles.

1682 becomes the year of the official move of the royal court to a new residence, and this led to an increase in the population of the suburbs, an improvement in its well-being.

Until 1699, construction came to a halt, as previous military campaigns and stages of work had eaten a solid hole in the state budget. To support the Nine Years' War, which lasted until 1710, some elements of luxurious decor had to be sold, but after its completion, Louis XIV proceeds to the fourth stage of arrangement.

This time was marked by the construction of another chapel, which became the fifth on the territory of Versailles. Differing from the rest in its rectangular shape and height, it changes the facade of the main building, causing criticism of the surroundings. However, later it turned into the most interesting element of the architectural complex.

Construction of the Palace of Versailles under the leadership of Louis XV

By the time the five-year-old Louis XV (nicknamed the Beloved) ascended the throne after the death of the Sun King in 1715, the Palace of Versailles was already impressive. majestic architecture, vast areas and royal interior decoration. Peter I, who visited France in 1717, does not hide his delight from what he saw and, looking at the mansion with the park adjacent to it, lights up with the idea of ​​building something similar in St. Petersburg.

Under the Beloved, significant changes also take place with the architectural complex, although not as colossal as under his parent.

The first thing he did was complete the salon of Hercules. Under him, the Chambers of Madame, the Dauphin and his wife appeared, as well as the Small Chambers of the King on the lower, second and third levels.

His notable achievements were the completion of the Petit Trianon, the Opera Hall and the dismantling of the Staircase of the Ambassadors leading to the Great Royal Apartments in order to equip the princesses' rooms in its place.

As for the park, unlike Louis XIV, his son paid little attention to the park, and the only significant element of it was the Neptune pool, built in 1738-1741. Radical changes in the park area took place already under Louis XVI, because for a hundred years the trees had time to dry out, and the need to rejuvenate the green spaces pulled new grandiose design ideas.

The culmination of innovative ideas in the last years of his reign was the refurbishment of the premises on the advice of the leading architect Gabriel - from the side of the city, the facade was to take on a classic look. Work on this project continued until the twentieth century.

Impact of the Revolution and the Time of the First Empire

In early October 1789, under the leadership of Lafayette, the National Guard and a crowd of people broke into the Palace of Versailles demanding that the royal family and the National Assembly be expelled to Paris. In order not to inflame passions even more, the top of the country submits, moving to the Louvre and, and Versailles loses the status of an administrative and managerial center and is sealed.

From this moment begins the decline of the castle. While Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are in custody awaiting execution, according to a plan to get rid of luxury and use the building for the needs of the new government, the usual looting is going on.

Many items of interior decoration were simply taken away until control was established. After that, some of the items were sent to auction, others to exhibitions.

Thinking about the fate of the palace, they offered to rent it or sell it, but in the end they decided to leave it under the control of the republic, and until they figured out a better purpose for it, art objects were brought here, which later replenished the storerooms of various museums.

And yet, individual decorative elements continued to disappear from the walls of the once luxurious mansion - they were sold to fill the state treasury.

The building of the former royal mansion experienced a period of decadence until it attracted the attention of Napoleon I, who returned the status of his residence, but now the emperor.

In 1806, he ordered the architect Jacques Gonduin to take up restoration work, but Bonaparte rejected both of his projects, and only in 1808 was gold and mirror panels recreated, and furniture was brought from Fontebleau and the Louvre.

Versailles receives museum status

When in 1814 - 1815. and the Bourbon dynasty comes to power again, the last French king, Louis Philippe I, who had several nicknames, sits on the throne: "king-citizen", "king-bourgeois", and finally "king-pear". He turns the Palace of Versailles, built on the orders of Louis XIV, into a museum in which historical values, paintings with scenes of battles, portraits and busts.

But the insidious time has prepared a few more shocks, which, from the height of the passed years in the canvas of history, look like a spectacular addition. So, when France turned out to be the losing side in the Franco-Prussian war, the German army was headquartered in the palace (1870-1871), and in order to further humiliate the French, on January 18 in the Mirror Gallery announced the German Empire, and its Kaiser - Wilhelm I. But already in February, a peace treaty was signed in the same gallery, and a month later the French government returned to Versailles to settle here until 1879.

However, the offense was not forgotten, and in order to return the “debt”, at the end of the First World War, the Mirror Gallery is not chosen in vain to conclude a preliminary truce and the Vienna Treaty with defeated Germany. The Palace of Versailles in France served as a place of reconciliation between the Franco-German sides after the Second World War.

Since 1952, its global restoration begins, for which the government allocated 5 million francs, and also announced through all means of communication about the search for patrons and called for voluntary donations from citizens. In 1979 the architectural complex became part of world heritage UNESCO, and in 2007 the post of President of the Palace of Versailles was introduced, which was taken by the Minister of Culture Jean-Jacques Aiagon.

Exterior architecture and interior design of the mansion

Since Versailles received the status of a museum, millions of tourists have flocked to it every year to see with their own eyes the grandeur, splendor and abundance of the palace, where conspiracies and intrigues were the norm, from generation to generation cunning plans were perfected, behind-the-scenes gossip were woven and the secrets of Versailles were created. .

Surrounded by walls that remember the first cry of the kings born here: Philip V, Louis XV, XVI and XVIII, Charles X, you expect that one of the crowned sons of France will appear from around the corner, surrounded by courtiers to the rustle of silk and knock heels.

Such a huge area once belonged to the monarchs, and today the halls of Versailles receive curious visitors. To navigate the large areas (67 thousand square meters), you should know that the complex has several zones: the Chateau, the Small Trianon with the Big Trianon, the territory of Marie Antoinette's farm and the garden and park area. In total, 372 statues, 67 stairs and 25 thousand windows were installed in the palace premises.

The main building and the main attraction of the entire complex, where all tourists strive to get is the Chateau. Passing the main entrance, you will find yourself in its courtyard, from where you can go to the park or to the palace itself, where the Hall of Mirrors is its heart. In fact, this is a passage 73 m long and 11 m wide, uniting both wings of the castle.

The highlight of the Mirror Room is 357 mirrors located opposite 17 windows. The reflection creates the illusion that the garden surrounds the gallery from two sides, and in the evening they once sparkled with the lights of thousands of candles. It was decorated with figured floor lamps, candelabra, bronze-cut silver vases, crystal chandeliers and live orange trees, while the walls and ceiling were painted with scenes from mythology and history, in which the great dramas of court life were played out. Moreover, Louis XIV himself was certainly portrayed as an ancient hero.

Even the furniture here was made of pure silver (as Lebrun intended), which speaks of the original scale, but in 1689, unfortunately, it had to be melted down into coins to support the army.

Also here are the royal chambers, in which the central part is occupied by a bed located at the intersection of three highways connecting the Palace of Versailles with Paris.

The queen's bedroom is also located in the Chateau, and an impressive canopy bed and other interior items are decorated with gilding. Princess apartments are also nearby.

Halls of the Palace of Versailles

There are several interesting halls in the mansion, for example, the Hall of War, where you can see paintings that tell about past epic battles.

Not far from the entrance is the Royal Chapel. Its floor is decorated with a family coat of arms, lined with colored marble, and around the altar there are sculptures of ancient Greek gods made of bronze. The upper tier of the chapel was occupied by the crowned family, while the lower tier was occupied by the courtiers. After the service, the king retired to one of the chambers open today to curious visitors.

The Apollo Hall (or the Throne Hall) - ambassadors were received here, holidays or theatrical performances with musical accompaniment were held in the evenings, in which the monarch often took part.

Billiards were usually played in Diana's Hall. The Salon of Abundance served as a pantry, an exhibition of the royal collection of coins and paintings by Karachi, Veronese and Titian, and in the Hall of Venus, the main exhibit is a statue of Louis XIV.

The Bull's Eye salon is also of interest. Such a dissonant name was given to a room with an opening that looks like a bull's organ of vision. It served as a window through which the courtiers could observe the monarch in his apartments.

The greenhouse, designed by Hardouin-Mansart, has a U-shape, where more than 200 gardeners worked, caring for fruit-bearing exotics, among which there were 3,000 pomegranate, tangerine and orange trees.

AT certain time the Royal Opera House is available for viewing the interior, but it depends on the concert schedule. There are other places where you can only go with a guide.

Palace of Versailles inside

Grand and Petit Trianon at Versailles

The Versailles Museum has two separate palaces. The Grand Trianon has more than 30 rooms, a private patio and a park with ponds. It served as a chamber for the king and his family, where they could feel more frivolous, without adhering to strict etiquette.

At one time there were guests: Peter I, Elizabeth II, Gorbachev, Yeltsin and other political figures.

Petit Trianon was a kind of women's territory. The cozy two-story mansion was originally inhabited by the favorite of the Beloved King - Madame Pompadour. This is the only woman who was allowed to spend her last days at Versailles. Louis really was attached to her, and when she died of a lung disease, he saw her off, standing on one of the balconies of the palace in the pouring rain.

His parting words to her were: “Well, you chose terrible weather so that in last time take a walk ma'am".

Later, the Petit Trianon was occupied by Dubarry and, finally, by Marie Antoinette. With the exception of the bedroom, this part of the mansion has a more modest decoration, but it had its own theater, where performances were staged with the participation of the queen. Now it has been turned into a Marie Antoinette museum with original personal and interior items, and only a few have been recreated by decorators.

Those in power have their own quirks, and Marie Antoinette had a small village right on the territory of Versailles near her palace. Having a lot of free time, she amused herself by milking cows, weeding beds, feeding birds or decorating animals with colored ribbons.

Stalls for goats and cows, a dovecote and perches for chickens were built here, and 12 houses were also inhabited, and the "peasants" were strictly ordered to observe a pastoral appearance.

This village has been recreated with animals and is open to the public.

Gardens and park of Versailles

The park part surprises with a perfectly flat surface. Even when construction began, the architects leveled the site so carefully that not a single hillock remained on it. The gardens of Versailles cover about 5 sq. km, replete with paths, green bushes and trees, fountains and lakes, impeccable lines of green lawns.

Sitting on the balcony of his chambers, the king liked to watch theatrical performances that took place in the Court of Marble, and it was here that Molière first staged The Misanthrope. And above the windows of the chambers of Louis, the clock counted down, but was stopped at the time of his death.

The monarch liked to walk under the arches and among the marble columns, or arrange dinner meals among them. The theme of ancient gods was close to him, and the gardens of Versailles are generously decorated with their figures.

Directly in front of the Mirror Gallery, two oblong pools stretched parallel to each other, behind which the Great Staircase leads down, and at its foot, surrounded by four stone vases, there is a reservoir with a fountain of Latona, decorated with many gilded figures.

Further, an alley with mighty trees along it leads to a spacious green meadow, behind which, in a large pool, Apollo drives a chariot drawn by four of Neptune's own water horses - hippocampi. The Apollo Fountain was formed under the guidance of the sculptor Tyubi, who took as a basis the sketches of Ch. Lebrun.

To the north of the palace stands the parterre, decorated with the figures of Crouching Venus and the Grinder. From them, a staircase leads to the pools "Sirens" and "Crown", which have a rounded shape, as well as to the fountain "Pyramid", in which gilded dolphins with newts splash.

To see how the “Dragon” fountain throws a stream of water 47 meters high, you need to go along the famous “Water Alley”, created by J. Hardouin-Mansart, and which has a different name - “Water Theater”. It is notable for the fact that it is framed by 14 small round reservoirs, creating a single stepped ensemble with bronze images of children holding a bowl filled with flowers and fruits.

In addition to many lakes and pools with fountains, the gardens of Versailles are replete with terraces, and the farther from the palace, the level gradually decreases. In addition, it is pleasant to walk along the alleys, imagining how Marie Antoinette once walked along the same path, admiring the sculptures and the play of water jets released by mythological animals.

The park, filled with grottoes, pavilions, a system of water channels, vegetation and viewing platforms, looks so well thought out that it has been called "little Venice".

Events of Versailles

It is worth visiting the grandiose "nest" of monarchs once, and this event will become the main event in your life for a long time. The entertainment that is held here will allow you to plunge into the colorful past of France, visit a real ball at the court, where gallant ladies and gentlemen in magnificent costumes dance to classical music in the same way as several centuries ago.

After that, every Saturday (May-September), when most tourists leave the Palace of Versailles, a night show begins for ticket holders with illuminated fountains and music, and the final scene at 23:00 is a grandiose fireworks blooming over the Grand Canal.

Musical fountains are a wonderful sight, caressing the eyes and ears, and they are turned on on weekends and holidays.

In addition to the delightful shows, permanent and temporary exhibitions of paintings by contemporary painters and artists of past eras are worthy of attention, thematic rooms are open, and after the reconstruction, the Royal Opera House was opened, where plays are staged and concert performances are held.

Service Offered

To quickly move around the vast territory of the complex, you can rent a bicycle for 6 euros, a segway, an electric car (if you have international rights) or for 7.5 euros you can ride from Chateau to Trianon on a tourist electric train.

Visitors are offered to rent a boat and take a pleasant walk along Little Venice and the Grand Canal.

If you are tired and hungry, you can have a snack in a cafe with an open veranda. Several outlets offer takeaway juices, potatoes and other snacks, and if you want to sit in comfort, check out the restaurants near scenic spots garden.

To visit Versailles itself is a dream that comes true once in a lifetime, and far from everyone, and therefore, in memory of the trip, I want to keep a souvenir. In the museum shop you can buy candles, books, albums, tapestries for pillows with original embroidery, bags, medals and coins, dishes, figurines, even a jar of raspberry jam in a gift box and other items.

Tickets to Versailles

Tickets to Versailles for visiting the farm, Chateau and Trianons - 18 euros, with working fountains - 25 euros.

Buy tickets to Versailles at low prices

A ticket for two days with a full visit to all attractions - 25 euros, with working fountains - 30 euros.

• Chateau - 15 euros.
• Farm and Trianons - 10 euros.
• A park without working fountains - admission is free, with fountains - 9 euros.
• Ball and evening show with fountains - 39 euros.
• Evening show only - 24 euros.
• Only the ball - 17 euros.
• Free admission for children under 5 years old.

Benefits are used by students, persons with disabilities and children aged 6-17.

Purchasing the FORFAIT LOISIRS card will allow you to travel on public transport for free and will serve as an entrance ticket to the Palace of Versailles and its park area.

Note: you can make video and photography only after an additional payment.

Opening hours of Versailles

• The garden and park area is open 8:00-18:00 (during busy tourist season 7:00-20:30)
• Farm and Trianons - 12:00-17:30 (18:30)
• Chateau - 9:00-17:30 (18:30)
• Closed on Mondays, May 1st, January 1st and December 25th

Panorama of Versailles

From Paris to Versailles on my own

When choosing a day to visit the palace, one must take into account that it is especially crowded here on weekends. Tuesday is also a high attendance, because in most museums it is a day off, and people come here. Also, in order to avoid long queues, it is better to take the tour early in the morning or at 15:30-16:00.

Palace of Versailles (Photo)

Photo gallery of Versailles

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Located 20 km southwest of Paris, the royal town of Versailles, better known as the Palace of Versailles, is a huge palace built by Louis XIV and now one of the most visited tourist spots in France.

The idea of ​​building a new castle arose from the king because of the envy he experienced when he saw the castle of his finance minister in Vaux-le-Vicomte. As a result, the king made a firm decision that his palace should, of course, surpass the palace of the minister in luxury. He hired the same team of craftsmen that had built Vaux-le-Vicomte, the architect Louis Lévaux, the painter Charles Lebrun, and the landscape architect André Le Nôtre, and ordered them to build something that would exceed the size of the palace of Vaux-le-Vicomte a hundred times. The Palace of Versailles has become the apotheosis of the indulgence of the whims of the French monarchs, and although you may not quite like the environment in which the extravagant and self-loving “Sun King” wished to live, the historical significance of this palace is enormous, the stories associated with it are truly fascinating, and the park around the palace is simply charming.

regular park Palace of Versailles- one of the largest and most important in Europe. It consists of many terraces, which decrease as you move away from the palace. Flowerbeds, lawns, a greenhouse, pools, fountains, as well as numerous sculptures are a continuation palace architecture. There are also several small palace-like structures in the park of Versailles.

Versailles palace and park ensemble is distinguished by a unique integrity of design and harmony between architectural forms and a redesigned landscape. Since the end of the 17th century, Versailles has been a model for ceremonial country residences European monarchs and aristocracy. In 1979, the Palace of Versailles and the park were included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

The history of the Palace of Versailles begins in 1623 with a very modest feudal-style hunting castle, built at the request of Louis XIII of brick, stone and roofing slate on the territory purchased from Jean de Soisy (Jean de Soisy), whose family owned the lands from the 14th century. The hunting castle was located in the place where the marble courtyard is now. Its dimensions were 24 by 6 meters. In 1632, the territory was expanded by purchasing the Versailles estate from the Archbishop of Paris from the Gondi family, and a two-year rebuilding was undertaken.

From 1661, Louis XIV began to expand the palace in order to use it as his permanent residence, since after the Fronde uprising, living in the Louvre began to seem unsafe to him. The architects André Le Nôtre and Charles Lebrun renovated and expanded the palace in the Baroque and Classicist styles. The entire facade of the palace from the garden side is occupied by a large Mirror Gallery, which makes an amazing impression with its paintings, mirrors and columns. In addition to it, the Battle Gallery, the palace chapel and the palace theater also deserve mention.

Around the palace, a city gradually arose, in which artisans settled, supplying the royal court. Louis XV and Louis XVI also lived in the Palace of Versailles. During this time the population Versailles and the adjacent city reached 100 thousand people, however, it quickly declined after the king was forced to move to Paris. May 5, 1789 in the Palace of Versailles gathered representatives of the nobility, the clergy and the bourgeoisie. After the king, who by law was given the right to assemble and dissolve such events, adjourned the meeting for political reasons, the deputies from the bourgeoisie declared themselves the National Assembly and retired to the Ballroom. After 1789, the Palace of Versailles was maintained only with difficulty. Since the time of Louis Philippe, many halls and rooms have been restored, and the palace itself has become an outstanding national historical museum, which exhibited busts, portraits, paintings of battles and other works of art of predominantly historical value.

The Palace of Versailles was of great importance in German-French history. After the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War, from October 5, 1870 to March 13, 1871, it was the residence of the main headquarters of the German army. On January 18, 1871, the German Empire was proclaimed in the Mirror Gallery, and Wilhelm I was its Kaiser. This place was deliberately chosen to humiliate the French. The peace treaty with France was signed on February 26, also at Versailles. In March, the evacuated French government moved the capital from Bordeaux to Versailles, and only in 1879 again to Paris.

At the end of the First World War, a preliminary truce was concluded at the Palace of Versailles, as well as the Treaty of Versailles, which the defeated German Empire was forced to sign. This time, historical place was picked up by the French to humiliate the Germans. The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles (including huge indemnity payments and admission of sole guilt) were a big burden on the young Weimar Republic. Because of this, it is widely believed that the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles were the basis for the future emergence of Nazism in Germany.

After World War II, the Palace of Versailles became the site of German-French reconciliation. This is evidenced by the celebrations on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Elysee Treaty, which took place in 2003.

Many palaces in Europe were built under the undoubted influence of Versailles. These include the castles of Sanssouci in Potsdam, Schönbrunn in Vienna, the Great Palaces in Peterhof and Gatchina, as well as other palaces in Germany, Austria and Italy.

Since 2003 Palace of Versailles became the object of one of the projects under the patronage of Jacques Chirac - a large-scale restoration plan for the palace, comparable only to Mitterrand's project to renovate the Louvre. The project, with a total budget of 400 million euros, is designed for a period of 20 years, during which the facade and interior of the Opera will be renovated, the original layout of the gardens will be restored, and the three-meter gilded King's Grille will be returned to the inner Marble Court. In addition, after the restoration, tourists will be able to visit for free those parts of the castle that today can only be accessed with organized tour. However, over the next few years, work will be limited only to the most urgent tasks: so that the roof does not leak, so that there is no short circuit in the electrical wiring, and so that interruptions in the central heating system do not allow the palace to fly into the air, because even revolutionaries.

Versailles (Versailles) - the former residence of the French kings, now a village located near Paris. The story began with Louis XIV, who turned the territory for hunting into a palace and park ensemble.

Louis Leveau was the first architect to turn the king's dreams into reality, after which Jules Hardouin-Mont-Sart excelled. The latter tortured the workers and the treasury for thirty years. It was here that the entire royal court settled, it was here that numerous balls and brilliant festivities were held.

The area of ​​the park territory of Versailles occupies 101 hectares. Thanks to a whole system of canals, the village is called "little Venice". There are a huge number of viewing platforms, alleys, promenades.

How to get to Versailles

You can get to Versailles from three stations.

From Gare Saint-Lazare (gare de Paris-Saint-Lazare):

• By train on line L to Gare de Viroflay Rive Droite station, and by bus number 171 from Gabriel Peri metro station to the castle. You will need to walk a short distance, about 500 meters. Total time on the way about 1 hour.
• By train on line L to Versailles - Rive Droite station. The station is almost 2 km away from the castle, which will have to be walked. The total travel time will be approximately 1 hour.

From Gare d'Austerlitz train station:

• On the commuter train RER C you can get to the Gare de Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, which is 950 meters away from Versailles. This distance must be covered on foot.
  The total travel time will be approximately 1 hour.

From the northern station (Gare du Nord)

• First, on the Rer B train, you need to travel two stops to Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame station, then transfer to RER C and go to Gare de Versailles Château Rive Gauche
  Upon arrival at the station, you will need to walk about 1 km to the park area. The total travel time is just over 1 hour.

You can drive to Versailles using a travel pass, a day pass (zones 1-5), and (zones 1-5) are also suitable.

A one-time ticket will cost 7.60 euros.

• (55.00 €)
• (70.00 €)

Accommodation in Versailles

The territory of Versailles is incredibly huge, there really is something to see here, so one day is not always enough to get around everything and enjoy a walk. To enjoy visiting the palace and park complex, take at least two days for a leisurely walk, without fuss. We bring to your attention hotels at the best prices in Versailles.

Sights of Versailles

Very many Versailles are associated only with the castle of the same name. It is worth knowing that Versailles is a large complex of buildings, one might say a town in which all royal needs were provided.

Grand Trianon (Grand Trianon)

This is Royal Palace at Versailles. The name went to the palace as a legacy from the ancient village of Trianon, formerly located on this territory. Here, Louis XIV rested from court life with Madame Maintenon. The construction of the Grand Trianon lasted 4 years (1687-1691) under the leadership of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, and Louis himself developed most of the architectural solutions on his own. Thus, a building decorated with pale pink marble appeared, decorated with a balustrade and huge arched windows.

The palace consists of two wings connected by a gallery - a peristyle, the project of which was developed by Robert de Cotte. The facade of the Grand Trianon overlooks a large courtyard. In this part of the building, the peristyle is made in the form of an exquisite arcade. Behind the palace is a park with lawns, fountains, ponds and flower arrangements. From this side, the peristyle is made in the form of double marble columns. The Grand Trianon Palace and Park Complex occupies 23 hectares and is open to tourists.

Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles)

This is not just the main attraction of the palace and park complex, but it is a symbol of an entire era in the history of the French monarchy, and one of the largest in all respects. Initially, King Louis III liked the land in this part of the suburbs of Paris, but the idea of ​​​​building the Palace of Versailles belongs to him son, Louis XIV. Later, his grandson, Louis XV, also contributed to the image of the palace complex. The palace demonstrates the power of absolute power to the whole world. 800 hectares of swamps were dried to build the palace and the garden and park complex. Construction continued for more than half a century by the forces of the peasants and the national army; the cost of the palace in terms of modern currency cost hundreds of billions of euros. Finishing interior spaces dazzles with an abundance of luxury and unique works of art - frescoes and paintings, wood carvings, marble sculptures, handmade silk carpets, a lot of gold, crystal and mirrors. The splendor of the Versailles palace complex made a strong impression on Peter I, that after his visit the tsar conceived the construction of the famous ensemble in Peterhof.

When the monarchy fell, the bourgeoisie came to power, and the revolutionary-minded Duke of Orleans, Louis-Philippe of Versailles, took the crown in 1830, changed its status and became a museum, over time, the Museum of the History of France (Musée de l'Histoire de France). The revolutionary period did not have the best effect on the state of the Palace of Versailles. Many rooms were neglected, if not completely destroyed, and furniture and works of art were looted. Restoration work began immediately after the revolution, at the behest of Louis Philippe. Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was also concerned about the fate of the building and regularly allocated funds for its repair. Gradually, the Hall of Mirrors and the luxurious golden panels of the palace were restored, some of the stolen works of art were returned, some of the paintings and interior items had to be created anew. The restoration of Versailles continues - a large-scale the reconstruction of the palace, which began in 1952 and lasted almost 30 years, did not solve all the problems. Therefore, in 2003, the French authorities announced the beginning of a 17-year restoration of Versailles. Already now, the original layout of the Versailles gardens has been completely restored, and the royal lattice has again shone with gold in the inner Marble Court.

Versailles Park (Parc de Versailles)

Unique landscape compositions, which are considered perhaps the most exquisite in the world. In 1661, in parallel with the construction of the palace, King Louis XIV commissioned the landscape architect André Le Nôtre to create a park that would not only be in harmony with the grandeur of the royal buildings, but also surpass all known parks in terms of luxury. The construction of the Versailles Park took more than 40 years, but The monarch was pleased with the result - a breathtaking panorama opened immediately upon exiting the palace through the Marble Court.

After the French Revolution, it was decided to open a museum in the Palace of Versailles, and since then, walks along the picturesque alleys of the royal park have been available to all tourists.

Ball game hall (Salle du Jeu de paume)

From an architectural point of view, it is not particularly remarkable, although it was built next to the Palace of Versailles back in 1686. It is possible that in the annals of history this room would have remained as a place where royal sports took place. But Fate decreed otherwise ... Life at the court of the French kings of the 17th century was described by contemporaries as endless receptions with a series of entertainment events. Such a pastime meant not only balls and enchanting performances, but also sports.

The world-famous Sun King was very fond of playing ball, a kind of analogue of tennis of that time. The courtiers actively supported their monarch in this hobby, therefore, the Ball Game Hall was a fairly popular place. However, the Ball Game Hall received worldwide fame for a completely different reason - in this room in 1789, representatives of the French townspeople, led by Jean Bailly, swore a solemn oath to preserve their alliance to create a constitution for the kingdom.

Today, in the premises of the Games Hall there is a museum, the exposition of which tells about historical event that brought the French Revolution closer: a sculpture of Jean Bailly speaking, busts of deputies and a huge canvas depicting the Constituent Assembly at the moment of taking the oath.

Small Trianon (Petit Trianon)

Modern historians believe that the palace was built by Louis XV for the Marquise de Pompadour as a sign of the monarch's favor. The palace was designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, a court architect, a supporter of classicism. Construction lasted about 6 years and was completed in 1768. The building turned out to be small, simple, architecturally consistent - without the pretentious decor inherent in the architecture of the first half of the 18th century, but the interior decoration of the Petit Trianon is made in the rococo style.

The two-story palace looks very elegant - classic French windows, pilasters and an Italian balustrade at the top, Corinthian columns and a wide stone terrace at the base.

Today the Petit Trianon is a museum dedicated to Queen Marie Antoinette. Its exposition presents paintings of the 18th century, as well as furniture and interior items that restore the atmosphere characteristic of that era.

Municipal Museum Lambinet (Musée Lambinet)

Dedicated to the history of the city, located near the Palace of Versailles, erected in 1750. The project of a three-story building, developed by Elie Blanchard, provided for all the style features characteristic of that time - French windows, small balconies with patterned lattices and a crown of the facade, a classic pediment with sculptural composition allegorical themes.

In 1852, the mansion became the property of Victor Lambinet, whose descendants, 80 years later, donated the building to the city to organize a museum in it. Today, the exposition of the Lambinet Museum presents three areas - the history of the development of the city, captured in documents different eras, a collection of art objects of the 16th-20th centuries and a reconstruction of the interiors of the 18th century. A total of 35 halls are available for inspection, and most of them have preserved their original decoration, and paintings, furniture, sculptures and many interior items - gilded clocks and candelabra, dishes, crystal lamps and vases complete the decor, bringing visitors back to the atmosphere of the 18th century.

Former Royal Hospital (Ancien Hôpital Royal de Versailles)

Also known as the Hôpital Richaud, located near the local railway station; received the status historical monument relatively recently - in 1980. Under Louis XIII, there was a need for buildings of a social nature - in 1636 a small almshouse was built, which existed on rather modest funds received from charitable communities. Under Louis XV, the almshouse was transformed into a royal hospital financed by the treasury. The premises of the hospital were rebuilt and significantly expanded by order of Louis XVI.

The project of the new building, made by the architect Charles-Francois-d'Arnaudin, provided for 3 buildings: in the central part of the building, the elderly were accommodated, and in the two side ones, the sick. In addition, a church was erected next to the hospital, adjacent directly to the buildings, so that the sick could get to the church service without going outside. The service in the hospital was also at the level - excellent living conditions, good food and repeated cleaning. As a hospital, the building existed until recently, and then part of it was sold to a transport company.

Cathedral of St. Louis (Cathédrale Saint-Louis)

It was originally conceived as an ordinary parish church.

However, in 1684, when after the destruction of the church of St. Julian of Briud, the southern part of Versailles was left without a church building, the chapel built in its place had to be given, albeit temporary, but the status of a parish church. And since, along with the status, the name came - the church of St. Louis, it was decided to build a real church worthy of bearing the name of the angel of crowned monarchs. In 1742, the project of the future cathedral was approved by Louis XV and construction began. It is curious that the author of the project was the hereditary architect Jacques Hardouin Mansart, the grandson of the same Jules Mansart, who “invented” the Palace of Versailles at one time.

Construction dragged on for a long time and ended 12 years later. The king was not present at the inauguration of the new church - the day before, on August 23, 1754, an heir, the future king Louis XVI, was born to his majesty. But on the other hand, a year later, the monarch compensated for the lack of attention by giving the church 6 bells with the names of the royal heirs. A large organ appeared in the Versailles Cathedral in 1761, and also, thanks to the mercy of the king, Louis personally controlled the production of the instrument by the best master of that time, Francois Henri Clicquot. True, status Cathedral the church of St. Louis received much later - in 1843. Today, the Versailles Cathedral is not only a place of regular Catholic masses, but also a kind of concert hall for contemporary chamber music performers.

Gosha Lyceum (Lycée Hoche)

current educational institution located in the historical building of Versailles.

The building, within the walls of which the Gosh Lyceum was later located, was erected according to the project of Richard Mika, the personal royal architect and a great admirer of neoclassicism. The Ursulines Monastery (Couvent de la Reine), founded in 1766, was called upon to fulfill a very important mission - to provide an acceptable education for girls whose parents served in the royal court. For 20 years, the monastery, supervised by the queen, enjoyed great success, during this period hundreds of girls received an excellent education. But in 1789, after the departure of the royal family from Versailles, both the monastery and its activities gradually fell into decay, and after the French Revolution it completely changed its profile and turned into a military hospital.

The authorities of Versailles remembered the successful reputation of the former monastery in matters of upbringing and education in 1802, when the issue of educating children from wealthy families became acute. A year later, the building opens high school. And some time later, the reconstruction of its premises began, after which in 1888 a new French lyceum was opened, named Gosh, in honor of General Lazar Gosh, who was born in Versailles. The Lyceum has been successfully functioning to this day. And among its graduates there are many celebrities, including the former President of France, Jacques Chirac.

Foreign Affairs Mansion (Hôtel des Affaires Etrangères)

It stands out among the historical buildings of Versailles not only as an object of architectural art, but also as a room where negotiations took place, thanks to which the Treaty of Versailles and Paris were signed. Thus was put an end to the war for the independence of the US colonies in 1783. The order for the construction of the mansion came in 1761 from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France during the reign of Louis XV - Francois Choiseul. The main part of the building was planned to be used as a room for storing archives, and it was convenient to place auxiliary services of the ministry in the remaining rooms. The development of the project was entrusted to Jean-Baptiste Berthier, an architect favored by the king.

And as it turned out, not in vain - the four-storey building of the brick and stone mansion has a very representative appearance not only from the outside, but also from the inside. The facade of the building, according to the style of that time, is decorated with pilasters with ornaments in the form of symbols of monarchism, the top of which is crowned with statues depicting War and Peace. The entrance to the building is an impressive door with a richly gilded decor. The interior decoration of the premises is partially preserved in its original form - the main gallery of the first floor with its wooden panels and gold trim, archival cabinets built into the walls. Now the municipal library is located here, some of the books of which still remember the Palace of Versailles and their first owners - the kings.

Church of Our Lady (Eglise Notre-Dame)

It rises next to the Palace of Versailles not by chance: the palace was listed in the official parish of the church, therefore, all the main events in the life of the royal family took place within its walls. It was here that the king's newborn heirs were baptized, and also the monarch's relatives were married or carried off on their last journey. The urgent need to have the opportunity to visit the church in the vicinity arose from Louis XIV in parallel with the move to the Palace of Versailles. Being an ardent supporter of Catholicism, the king first of all took care of his spiritual refuge.

Louis entrusted the creation of the project to his trusted architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, and in 1684 the construction of the church began. For 2 years, the Versailles Church of the Virgin was completely built.

Judging by the records of the parish book, representatives of the monarchical dynasty visited the church regularly. From the point of view of architects, the Church of Our Lady is a vivid embodiment of the traditions of French classicism, from the point of view of parishioners and tourists visiting the church, it is a little massive, but surprisingly beautiful and harmonious a two-tiered building. And under the pediment crowning the church with a symbolic image of angels holding the royal crown above the sun, there is a clock, the gilded hands of which count the time in the same rhythmic way as in the time of Louis XIV.

Madame Elisabeth's Castle (Château du domaine de Montreuil)

That was the name of his last mistress - Elizabeth of France, the granddaughter of Louis XV and the sister of the last French monarch. The sad story of the life of Princess Elizabeth causes a special attitude to everything that surrounded her, and the Montreuil estate - even more so. The history of the Montreuil estate dates back to the XII century. At first, it was a fortress, then, at the behest of Charles VI, a Celestine monastery. Centuries later, the estate became part of Versailles - Louis XVI bought it to give to his beloved younger sister. It was then that these lands, with an area of ​​8 hectares, received their new name - the estate of Madame Elizabeth.

The castle, in which the princess spent most of her life, is not distinguished by original architectural solutions or the richness of the exterior. Visually, the building can be divided into three parts - two symmetrical three-story buildings connected by a two-level pavilion. But for Elizabeth, the external decoration did not play a special role - she sincerely cared about people and even opened a special room in the palace in which the doctor received the poor to give them necessary help. When the French Revolution began, the patriotic Elizabeth did not want to leave the country and people close to her, and shared the fate of the royal family, sentenced to death.

City Hall

It appeared in Versailles only in the 18th century, when orders ceased to come from the Palace of Versailles regarding the way of life of the townspeople. In 1670, a mansion was built for the French Marshal Bernardin Gigot. In fact, this building, which in the future was to become the building of the city administration of Versailles, was a real palace, the main entrance of which, according to etiquette, was turned towards the royal palace. It is not surprising that when the opportunity presented itself, Louis XIV immediately acquired this mansion for his illegitimate daughter of the Princess de Conti. From that moment on, it has become a tradition in the mansion-palace to arrange magnificent receptions, balls and just any festivities. This continued even after the princess was replaced by a new owner, the nephew of Louis XV, Louis IV Henry, better known as the Duke of Bourbon-Conde. But the French Revolution swept through the country like a hurricane, destroying to the ground not only the old political system, but also many buildings associated with it. Conti's mansion was also among the objectionable. The building, in which the modern local administration of Versailles now performs its duties, although it was built on the same site, is just a stylization of the era of Louis XIII. But this is the first real Town Hall of Versailles.

Theater Montansier

It was built on the initiative of Queen Marie Antoinette and with the full approval of King Louis XV. However, the authorship of the idea of ​​creating a new theater hall in France belongs to the talented actress Madame Montansier. The theatrical experience of Madame Montansier before meeting the French queen was not the most successful: either her ideas did not find a response, or success haunted her competitors. Nevertheless, Madame Montansier persistently sought the opportunity to realize her dream - the creation of a theater that was not similar to those already known. Thanks to her connections at court, Madame Montansier achieved an acceptance with the queen and was able to arouse her interest in her plan.

The new theater opened in November 1777 at Versailles, next to the royal palace. The solemn ceremony was attended not only by Marie Antoinette, but also by King Louis XV himself, who was pleased with his visit to the theater. The semicircular shape of the stage, excellent acoustics, realistic scenery and the use of mechanisms, which at that time was regarded as innovation. The decoration of the hall did not go unnoticed either - thanks to the pale blue background of the interior, the gilded decor elements looked very solemn. And the possibility of a direct exit from the theater directly to the royal palace finally disposed the king to the Theater.

Today, the Montansier Theater is an officially registered institution, as well as an officially recognized historical monument.

Tickets to Versailles

There are several types of tickets: passports for one or two days, as well as tickets for visiting individual attractions.

One day ticket: 20 euros
Ticket for two days: 25 euros
One Day Ticket with Musical Gardens (April-October): €27
Ticket for two days with a visit to the musical gardens (April-October): 30 euros
Ticket to the Palace of Versailles: 18 euros
Ticket to the Grand and Petit Trianon: 12 euros

How to get there

The address: Place d'Armes, Paris 78000
Website: chateauversailles.fr
RER train: Versailles - Chateau

The king forced the aristocrats to live in Versailles, keeping everyone under control. Whoever left the palace lost all privileges, the opportunity to receive posts and ranks.

After the death of Louis XIV (1715), his five-year-old son and the Regency Council of Philippe d'Orléans returned to Paris.

The walls of the palace also remember the visit of Peter I to the royal mansions. The Russian tsar studied the building in order to apply what he saw during the construction of Peterhof.

Louis XV did not particularly change the building, only completed the Salon of Hercules, begun by his father, the Opera Hall, the palace of the Petit Trianon. Louis XV decided to build part of the building for his daughters, so the Ambassadors' Staircase, the official road to the Great Royal Apartments, was destroyed. In the park, the king completes the construction of the Neptune Basin.

Over the years, a city has grown around the palace, the population of which has grown to 100 thousand, taking into account the artisans serving the king and his vassals. Three rulers (Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI), living at one time in the palace, did everything so that all subsequent generations would admire the beauty and originality of the architectural ensemble of Versailles.

In 1789, Louis XVI and the National Assembly, under pressure from the National Guard, led by Lafayette, moved to the capital of France. Versailles ceases to be the political and administrative center of the country. Napoleon Bonaparte, having come to power, takes care of Versailles. In 1808, gold mirrors and panels were restored, furniture was delivered from Fontainebleau and the Louvre. Plans for reconstruction were not destined to come true: the First Empire collapsed, the Bourbons again took the throne.

During the time of Louis Philippe, the palace becomes the historical museum of the French nation. Paintings of battles, portraits, busts of generals and prominent figures of the country were added to the decoration of the castle.

Versailles also happened to be the representative office of the main headquarters of the German troops from October 1870 to March 13, 1871. In the same year, France is defeated by Germany, and the German Empire is proclaimed in the Mirror Gallery. A greater humiliation for the French could not have been imagined! (Revenge would be just as humiliating at the end of World War I.) A peace treaty signed a month later allows the French government to make Versailles the capital. Only in 1879, Paris was restored to the status of the main city of the country.

Germany signs the Treaty of Versailles (1919), the harsh conditions of which implied large payments, recognition of the sole guilt of the Weimar Republic.

It just so happened that Versailles throughout its history reconciled the French and Germans. So after the Second World War, he witnessed the restoration of peace between the two countries. Since 1952 Versailles architectural ensemble begins to gradually recover with the money of the government and patrons. "Jewel" regains its glory, brilliance and value.

In 1995, the Establishment of the National Museum and Property of Versailles was created. Since 2010, the name of the organ has changed to the Public Institution of the National Property and the Museum of Versailles. This status gave the palace financial autonomy and the rights of a legal entity. Since 2001, Versailles has been a member of the Association of European royal residences. Versailles has its own president. Its first president was Jean-Jacques Aiagon, and since 2011 this position has been occupied by Catherine Pegard.

Not one palace in the world has similarities with the palace of Versailles, only a few were created under the influence of this unique, luxurious building. Among them are Sanssouci in Postdam, the Rapti estate in Luga, Schönbrunn in Vienna, palaces in Peterhof.