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5 things you probably didn't know about the Palace of Versailles

undefined undefined 18 septembre 2023 undefined 17h00

undefined undefined 31 décembre 2023 undefined 11h22

The Editor

© Château de Versailles / Thomas Garnier

Communiqué

This year, one of the most iconic castles in the world is celebrating a memorable anniversary: Versailles turns 400 years old. For the occasion, we will take you on a journey to discover the lesser-known secrets of the monument that has made France famous, from the Renaissance to the present day.

With nearly 7 million visitors per year, Versailles is among the most visited historical sites in the world. And you have probably already explored it yourself! But while everyone has already admired the mythical Hall of Mirrors or the King's chamber, most people are still unaware of certain secrets of the Palace of Versailles. Fortunately for you, we're here to reveal them. 1. The Palace is celebrating its 400th anniversary. 400 years! That's quite the milestone. We don't know about you, but when we read that number, we can't help but feel that it's both very far away and not so old. How can we imagine that an emblematic monument like the Palace of Versailles is both younger than some stars we can see in our sky today, and older than Mozart himself? In fact, we almost don't want to assign an age to it, as its existence seems eternal to us. But enough jokes, let's dive into a bit of history...It is therefore in 1623 that the idea of a first Versailles is born. Louis XIII, son of Henri IV, first built a hunting lodge there. A few years later, a larger castle took the place of the pavilion, but nothing comparable to what we know today. It wasn't until 1661, when Louis XIV acquired the Château, that the building was transformed into one of the most beautiful structures in the world. The Sun King installed his Court there in 1682, as did his successors Louis XV and Louis XVI. During the Revolution, the monument was emptied of its furniture and subsequently transformed into a museum "dedicated to all the glories of France" starting in 1837, under the reign of Louis-Philippe. Thus, the Château became one of the most eminent monuments in the world.© Château de Versailles / Thomas Garnier


2. A new gallery of the History of the Château opens its doors in September

To celebrate this exceptional anniversary, the Château de Versailles has gone all out: guided tours that trace the history of the Château through the centuries, theatrical tours and workshops to discover with family, a big quiz for subscribers, and most importantly, a brand new gallery of History that will open to the general public from September 21st. Located on the ground floor of the north wing, in the space that formerly housed the apartments of high-ranking Court figures, the gallery of the History of the Château de Versailles is the result of years of reflection. A true introduction to the visit of the Château, it allows the visitor to better understand the creation, transformations, and upheavals that have shaped its history."Visiting the Castle of Versailles - from its construction to present day. Tableaux des rois, reines et artistes ayant façonné Versailles au fil des siècles, tableaux du Château et de ses jardins, vestiges du Versailles disparu... In total, more than 120 works from the collections of Versailles - some being exhibited for the very first time - will be presented in the Gallery, along with a digital and educational experience. Eleven rooms will guide you through the history of the Castle, from its Kings of France to the major events that take place there today, including its gardens... In short, Versailles will soon have no secrets for you. [Image: Château de Versailles / Sébastien Giles] 3. The Castle has reopened the private apartments of Marie-Antoinette."

The 10-year restoration of Marie-Antoinette's private apartments

They are among the most secretive pieces of Versailles: Marie-Antoinette's private apartments have reopened to the public after ten years of restoration work, in June 2023. Through a hidden door, concealed behind a large tapestry in the grand apartment of the former dethroned queen, you access a succession of smaller, more modest rooms spread over two floors, with windows overlooking small courtyards. It's like accessing the hidden side of Versailles, the one only known to the queens who succeeded each other for over 100 years.

While most of the furniture that furnished the Queen's intimate spaces had disappeared, the museum curators have conducted monumental research to offer us an accurate image of the apartments as they were 250 years ago. We discover intimate treasures that the last of the queens, Marie-Antoinette, collected for eight years.

To decorate her apartments to the fullest, each evoking a different aspect of the sovereign's life, such as the completely restored layette trunk of her eldest son. A true concentration of historical jewels. If you are ready to venture beyond the gardens of the Palace, in the heart of the Park of Versailles, you can discover a hidden part of the Estate that's worth a look, believe us! It's the Domaine du Trianon, a place of intimacy initiated by Louis XIV in 1687, where the sovereign indulged in his love for beautiful monuments and gardens. Located in the midst of trees, on the site of a former village, he had the Grand Trianon built, a masterpiece of architecture.;signé Jules Hardouin-Mansart. À sa suite, Louis XV fit ériger le Petit Trianon dès 1758, un petit château commandé auprès de l'architecte Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Le Domaine accueille également le Buffet d'eau, une composition magistrale datant de 1702, qui n’a pas son pareil dans tous les jardins de Versailles. Récemment restaurée, l'immense fontaine à jeux hydrauliques se compose de trois gradins de marbre, aux teintes rouge et blanche, et d'un bassin est surmonté de figures mythologiques en plomb, autrefois dorées.

Non loin de là, se trouve également le Hameau de la Reine, un petit village plein de charme créé à l'initiative de Marie-Antoinette entre 1783 et 1786. Inspiré des chaumières traditionnelles normandes, le lieu est si beau qu'il a l'air d'avoir été posé là comme pour servir de décor à un tableau. Destinées à la fois au divertissement de la souveraine (billard, salle à manger…) et à l'exploitation agricole (ferme, laiterie, pêcherie, maison du garde...), on...I love walking around the charming houses and the large flower garden, far from the luxury and hustle of the Palace. Water fountain © Château de Versailles / Thomas Garnier


5. It is possible to access the Estate and the Palace for free

If you are under 26 years old, you are a lucky one! Yes, because for you, access to the permanent collections of the Palace, the Trianon Estate, and temporary exhibitions is free, upon presentation of a valid proof. The only condition is to reside within the European Union. Those under 18 years old of any nationality also have free access to the Palace.

For others, don't worry, the Palace of Versailles has other good deals: between November and March, every first Sunday of the month, the Versailles Estate is open for free visits for everyone!The spaces of the Château, including the Grand Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the Domaine du Trianon, or the temporary exhibitions, are accessible. However, please note that until the end of October, the gardens of the Château are paid for all visitors, young or old. In any case, be sure to make a reservation before going on-site! On the other hand, the grand Park is open for free all year round to take a walk, ride a bike, go boating, or have a picnic! Bonus: The Château has a web series called "Étonnant Versailles" (Surprising Versailles) for all the YouTube enthusiasts who spend their nights watching all sorts of videos, from simple nature documentaries to 2.5-hour-long analysis of the most bizarre internet conspiracy theories.This series is made for you. Discover Amazing Versailles, to learn more about hygiene in the Palace, Christmas or even heating, all in a quirky way. For the 400th anniversary of the monument, the web series is back with two new episodes that explore the key moments in the history of the Palace, since its construction.  Check out the video below:

Versailles Palace
Place d'Armes - Versailles
Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 6:30pm (until October 31), then from 9am to 5:30pm (starting from November 1)
More information on the Versailles Palace website
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