How to get to Versailles from Paris on your own. How many kilometers from Paris to Versailles. Grand and Petit Trianon at Versailles
Versailles in Paris is an amazing palace, which several centuries ago bore the proud title of the residence of kings. Its history began in the 17th century, when a modest hunting lodge was built by order of Louis XIII. With the arrival of the king's successors, the building was gradually expanded; its current appearance is mainly the merit of Louis XIV, under whom most of the castle's buildings were made. This residence has become an expensive and significant contribution to the history of France; the cost of the luxurious structure is estimated at approximately 2.5 billion euros. Due to the sophistication and beauty of its construction, the Palace of Versailles continues to be in demand and is considered one of the main attractions of Paris to this day.
Versailles in Paris: how to get there?
This amazing palace is located in one of the suburbs of the French capital of the same name. The path to this noble settlement is quite short, so to get to know the beauty you will have to travel only 20 km. Get to it wonderful place can be done in several ways:
1) By RER electric train
As you know, these electric trains have several routes, which are designated by letters of the Latin alphabet, and allow residents and guests of the city to move from the center to the suburbs and back. In order to visit Versailles in Paris You will need to take one of the stops located on line C and get to the final station - Paris - Versailles Rive Gauche.
The travel time of this transport from the center to the desired stop is about 40 minutes. The route interval is also quite acceptable, and does not exceed 20 minutes. For such a trip you will have to pay approximately 7 euros.
Remember! It’s better to purchase round-trip tickets from the beginning to save time and avoid standing in line at the ticket office twice.
When you reach the desired station, a fascinating walk awaits you all the way to the palace. To do this, you need to cross the road from the stop and turn onto Rue de Paris, and then walk in a straight line until you see the Palace of Versailles.
2) On commuter train SNCF
When choosing this type of transport, you must initially count on a long journey from the stop, since it is located at a considerable distance from the old royal residence (you will have to walk 20-30 minutes). If this does not bother you, then feel free to take the route of line L (it is most convenient to do this at one of the stations: Montparnasse or Saint-Lazare) and get to the Versailles Rive Droite station.
You will have to spend about half an hour on the way, and the price of travel on this railway transport is half as low, amounting to 3 euros.
3) By bus
There is no direct bus to Versailles, so you will first need to take metro line 9 to Pont de Sevres station. Then, not far from the exit from the underground passage, find a bus stop and wait for route No. 171. It will take you almost to the palace itself.
The duration of the trip is about 35 minutes. Buses run frequently, so you won't have to wait longer than 20 minutes. An additional advantage of such a trip is the picturesque area, which can be seen on the way to the noble palace.
also in Versailles of Paris You can get there on your own at excursion bus, rented car, taxi or even by bicycle, however, due to the presence of significant disadvantages in each of these methods ( high price, duration of the journey, high probability of getting lost) we will not describe them.
Versailles in Paris: opening hours and ticket prices
Versailles in Paris is divided into several parts, each of which has its own operating hours, which also differ depending on the season. So, from April to October:
— the palace itself can be visited from 9 to 18.30 on any day except Monday 
— the Trianon palaces and the village of Marie Antoinette are open from 12 to 18.30 also on all days except Mondays
— the garden and park can be viewed from 8 and 7 to 20.30 respectively.
Between November and March, visiting hours for the residence and palaces are reduced to 5:30 p.m., and the green areas are open for walking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It is important to know! The palace ticket office closes a little before Versailles itself closes. In the low season they are open until 16.50, and in the high season - until 17.50.
The price of tickets to the Palace of Versailles is 18 €, entrance to the garden and park is free. Visitors under the age of 18 do not need to purchase a ticket; residents of the European Union enjoy free entry up to 26 years of age; this rule also applies to disabled people and their accompanying persons. During the low season there is a promotion: the first Sunday of every month is an open day.
From Paris to Versailles is approximately 20 kilometers and this is one of the most popular suburban routes. In Paris itself there are also many interesting places, but many tourists come to the French capital just to see the former royal residence with their own eyes. There are several ways to get to Versailles and everyone chooses the one that suits them best. The palace is closed on Mondays, there may also be sanitary days or unscheduled days off on other days, so before your trip it is better to find out whether to go or reschedule your trip to another day.
The first option is to go to Versailles on a tour. This is not the most cheap option, but by purchasing an excursion you will have the opportunity to avoid queues and waiting for transport, and also listen to an interesting story from a professional guide (find Russian speaking guide not a problem in Paris). For such a trip you will have to pay about 60 euros for an adult, and about 40 for a child.
Some of the most popular ways to get from Paris to Versailles include railway transport. The best option is high-speed trains, called RER, which connect the city center with the suburbs. To travel to Versailles, you need to choose line C. The frequency of trains is 20 minutes, and the travel time is about 40 minutes. The cost of a round-trip ticket is around 7-8 euros. Tickets can be purchased at the box office. If French is for you dark forest, then watch the board on the train. You need to get off at the Versailles Rive Gauche stop, from where it is a 10-15 minute walk to the palace gates. To avoid standing in line at the box office twice, buy tickets in both directions immediately. You can also get to Versailles by train, which departs from Saint-Lazare Station. The cost of a one-way ticket is about three euros, and the travel time is 30 minutes. But this option is not very convenient, since after getting off the train you need to walk at least 20-25 minutes to Versailles.
Another budget way to get to Versailles is by bus. Just first you need to take the metro to Pont de Sevres station, and then transfer to bus 171. The stop of this bus is located next to the metro exit. The frequency of buses is 15-20 minutes. The journey will take 30-40 minutes. This method is inexpensive because the ticket you bought for the metro can be used on the bus.
Even if you rent a car in Paris, you shouldn’t drive it to Versailles, since it’s near palace complex parking is quite expensive: for 2 hours - 5 euros, and for 8 - 12. At the same time, you need to take into account the cost of gasoline and the cost of renting a car.
You can get to Versailles by taxi. The trip will cost you 45-60 euros and will take about 30 minutes. Since the distance between Paris and Versailles is short, you can cover this distance by bicycle (many European tourists do this). There will be no problems with renting a bicycle; there are rental points in different parts Paris. Their opening hours are somewhere from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (some have a lunch break). A regular bicycle will cost 12 euros per day, and an electric one will cost eight euros more.
If you plan to visit not only Versailles, but also other museums in Paris, then it is advisable to buy a Paris museum card. With this card, entry to Versailles is not only free, but also without a queue (in summer time The queues at Versailles are impressive). The card is sold at the airport, at bus stops, metro stations, and tourist kiosks.
You can get from Paris to Versailles by train, bus or taxi. The train journey takes 1 hour 40 minutes, the cost of the trip is 8.8 euros. By bus, a traveler can also get there in 1 hour 40 minutes; the fare will cost you 4.8 euros. The duration of the taxi ride is 35 minutes, the cost is from 60 euros. The distance from Paris to Versailles is 22 km.
Public transport runs from early morning until late evening (service stops at night). On trains and buses, passengers have access to minimal comfort: the interior is cramped, there are a lot of people, the seats are not adjustable. If you plan to travel to Versailles by train, be sure to validate your ticket and keep it until the end of your trip. Controllers can check it at the exit, and if there is no ticket, you will have to pay a fine. It is better to buy round-trip tickets for the train right away, otherwise there is a risk of standing in a long line at the ticket office for a return ticket. Bus travel may take longer due to frequent traffic jams.
Versailles - palace splendor
Considering transport accessibility and the proximity of Versailles to Paris, it is quite logical that a visit to the palace and park complex is included in the mandatory program of many tourists. Versailles is not just a castle, but a whole town, built for the amusement and relaxation of the French monarch Louis XIV and the entire high society court. The central figure of the complex is the Royal Palace, which is surrounded by parks and gardens with total area 800 ha. In addition, the palace complex includes kilometer-long canals, a small ornamental village, and the Grand and Petit Trianon. Interestingly, the Marquise de Pompadour and Marie Antoinette rested in the Petit Trianon. The halls of this palace are tastefully furnished, they have a cozy and special atmosphere.
Price
Expectation
Travel time
For whom
Individual tourist
The RER train (line C) departs from several stations in the center of Paris (Musee d'Orsay, St. Michel-Notre Dame and others) and arrives at the Versailles-Rive Gauche station in Versailles. The trip duration is 40 minutes, the cost is 7 euros per round trip tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the box office.
You can also get to the palace complex by train SNFC (line L) from Saint-Lazare and Montparnasse stations. This option is not particularly popular among tourists, since it will take 25-30 minutes to walk from the arrival station to Versailles. On average, the trip lasts about 30 minutes, the ticket will cost everyone 3 euros.
Train Paris – Versailles:
Train RER (line C)
Schedule:
From 05:10 to 23:34
Route:
Gare d’Austerlitz – St. Michel-Notre Dame – Musee d’Orsay – Invalides – Pont de l’Alma – Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel – Versailles-Rive Gauche
Travel time:
1 hour 40 minutes (1 hour by metro to RER departure stations, 40 minutes by train to Versailles)
Expectation:
Comfort:
Low: cramped interior, many people; a large number of flights
Price:
8.8 euros (1.8 euros – metro travel to RER departure stations, 7 euros – round trip train to Versailles)
For whom:
For those who are thrifty, without children, who know the route, for young tourists
How to find the train departure station at Paris airport:
IN Paris-Orly airports and Paris-Charles de Gaulle, take the RER line B, then change to line C. Follow the signs to find the departure station at the airport. To get to the RER train departure station from anywhere in the city, you can use the metro.
Price
Expectation
Travel time
For whom
Individual tourist
Bus number 171 runs daily from Paris to Versailles. The departure station is located near the Pont de Sevres metro station (line 9). The duration of the bus journey is 40 minutes, the cost is 3 euros. Tickets that can be used to travel in zones 1-2 of Paris are suitable for travel.
Bus number 171
Schedule:
From 06:00 to 00:00
Route:
Pont de Sevres – Place Gabriel Peri – Atrium – Puits Sans Vin – Pointe de Chaville – Grace de Dieu – President Doumer – Porchefontaine – Vergennes – Place d’Armes Versaiiles
Travel time:
1 hour 40 minutes (1 hour by metro to the bus departure stations, 40 minutes by bus)
Expectation:
15-20 minutes
Comfort:
Low: cramped interior, many people, non-adjustable seats; a large number of flights per day.
Price:
4.8 euros (1.8 euros – metro travel to the bus departure stations, 3 euros – bus).
For whom:
For budget travelers, without children, for young tourists
How to find a bus stop at the airport:
The bus departs from Pont de Sevres station, which is the terminus of metro line 9.
Price
Expectation
Travel time
For whom
If you do not want to use public transport to get to Versailles, it makes sense to order an individual Versailles?pap=57adbb36f2232">transfer from Paris to Versailles. This is convenient, first of all, because it eliminates not only the need to adapt to the train and bus schedule , but also the risk of getting lost in unfamiliar city. The car will take you to Versailles in 35 minutes, the cost of an economy class car is 60 euros, a minibus for 7 passengers is 72 euros.
Schedule:
around the clock
Route:
to Versailles
Travel time:
Expectation:
The taxi will arrive in 10-15 minutes, as cars are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The driver of a pre-booked individual transfer will be waiting for you at the airport, at the exit from the arrivals area, or at the specified address.
Comfort:
Taxi on the spot: fast driving without stops and without fellow travelers
Private transfer: possibility of prepayment by card, air conditioning/heater in the cabin, fixed price of the trip, wide choice of car class, child car seats.
Price:
From 60 euros for an economy class car, from 72 euros for a minibus per group
For whom:
For a family with/without children, for a group of tourists, elderly tourists, for the first time in France, for those who have poor local knowledge
How to find a taxi rank at the airport:
Charles de Gaulle Airport: taxi stands are located at the exit from Terminal 1, exit 24, from Terminal 2A, exit 6, from Terminal 2C, exit 14, from Terminal 2D, exit 7, from Terminal 2E, exit 10, arrivals level. Orly airport: taxi stands are located at the exit from the South Terminal, exit L, from the West Terminal - exit B.
It was mine to visit Versailles old dream. Therefore, during my husband and I’s trip to France, I could not miss the opportunity to visit the palace of the Sun King. We always travel on our own, so we carefully study all guidebooks and travel sites. Now I want to tell you how to get from Versailles to Paris.
From Versailles to Paris by RER electric train
Versailles-Rive Gauche Station is 1 km from the Palace of Versailles. To get there, you need to go straight from the palace gates to Avenue Rockefeller, turn right, walk to Avenue de Sceaux, then go straight. The entire journey will take you about 15 minutes. At the Versailles-Rive Gauche station, all trains belong to line C and go only to.
Ticket price
Price 3.5 euros one way. You can also use a pass for line 4, but t+ tickets are not valid.
Where can I buy a ticket
It is best to buy a ticket for the electric train in Paris, before traveling to Versailles. This way you won't have to stand in line twice. If you have not done this, you can purchase a ticket at the station ticket office.
Travel to the city by electric train
RER electric trains are double-decker and very comfortable. In Paris itself, they run underground, like a metro, and outside the city they come to the surface and travel like regular trains. The movement interval is 20 minutes. The trip to the city (stop d "Austerlitz) takes 53 minutes.
From Versailles to Paris by SNCF train
The train departs from Versailles-Rive Droite station. To get there, you need to go to Avenue de Paris, turn left, walk along Avenue de Rockfeller to the intersection with Avenue de l’Europe, left and straight ahead. You will see a station ahead. The path will be quite long - about 25 minutes. Therefore, I think this is not the most the best option. It takes half an hour to get to the Gare Saint-Lazare station, and 10 minutes to Gare Montparnase. You can book a ticket, as well as view the schedule and exact route, on the website http://www.sncf.com/.
Ticket price
A train ticket costs a little less than the RER - 3 euros.
Where can I buy a ticket
Also at the ticket office at Versailles-Rive Droite station.
From Versailles to Paris by bus
Bus number 171, which departs from the palace itself, takes you to the Ponte de Sevres stop in Paris in 30 minutes. Buses run every 20 minutes. The entire route can be found at http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orienter/f_plan.php?nompdf=171&loc=bus_banlieue/100.
Ticket price
The fare is relatively inexpensive - 3 euros.
From Versailles to Paris by taxi
There are two large taxi stands near the Palace of Versailles. The trip will cost 40-60 euros. In my opinion, it is very expensive, but with comfort. I advise you to take a taxi in France from the parking lot, and not to catch the car with your hand. It will be cheaper this way. You can order a taxi online. This is very convenient as you will be greeted with a sign right at the gate.
From Versailles to Paris by car
The car is not the best The best way travel from Versailles to Paris. The fact is that the road is very congested. The distance is quite short, but it will take you 3-4 hours to get there. Traffic jams are a common occurrence even on the highway. Therefore, my advice to you: choose public transport.
Car rent
If difficulties do not frighten you and you decide to rent a car, you need to do this in Paris, before your trip to Versailles. Cost 70-80 euros. The most famous companies:
- Hertz
- Autoeurope
- Kayak
Road to the city
The distance to the capital of France is 21 km, half of which is by motorway. The road is in excellent condition, paid areas No. If necessary, you can easily find pharmacies, car services, hotels, and hostels. There are many food outlets - from fast food to gourmet restaurants. Prices are an order of magnitude higher than in Paris. There are more than 20 gas stations along the entire route, so there will be no problems with gasoline.
Parking is another matter. If parking near Versailles itself is not a problem, then finding a free space for a car along the road is not an easy task. Cost 3 euros.
From Versailles to Paris by private car
If you decide to travel around France in a personal car with a right-hand drive, you will have to make some modifications to your car. In this country, traffic is on the right. Therefore, it is better to rent a car.
These are all the options for how to get from Versailles to Paris. My husband and I chose to travel by bus and enjoyed the picturesque view from the window. I wish you a pleasant journey.
The more closely you look at the history of France, the more surprised you are at the desire of the kings to surpass their predecessors in luxury. Everyone tried to make their residence larger and richer, spending fantastic amounts of money on improvements, and Versailles in France is a vivid example of regal splendor that will take your breath away.
Versailles is a respectable suburb of Paris
Today, the Versailles Museum 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 the lands he owned to the king, on which a small hunting lodge of five rooms grew from 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 about him: “Never before have I seen a more bleak and barren place - without water, land and forest.”. Indeed, all around there were only swamps and sand, and the population was so small that in the annals 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 owner - Hugh de Versailles.
This locality arose only because it lay on the way from Normandy to, and the travelers needed 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, 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 more than 85,900 inhabitants. Now it is surrounded by lush forests, and the successful layout, laid out in the 18th century, became a role model during the development of Washington.
First reforms: from hut to palace
Since monarchs have always been characterized by inconstancy, a thirst for change, and the desire for luxury is in their blood, already in 1632 the lands of Gondi were annexed to the king’s territory, which made it possible to significantly expand the hunting estate. The building is joined by 4 towers, 2 additional wings and a wall covering the entrance. As a defensive measure, 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 Anne 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.
Inspiration to build something beautiful royal palace served as the luxurious 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 on the condition that his mansion become a hundred times better.
Architect of the Palace of Versailles
This project turned out to be their swan song, as until the end of their days they were busy 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 available hands were involved in the work, including peasants, soldiers and sailors from all surrounding territories. To increase the number of builders, any other construction was prohibited during the construction of the chateau, and this ensured that more than 30,000 people were on 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 modern terms this is about 259.56 billion euros. At the same time, all materials for the king were sold at extremely low prices, and if the performers went beyond the budget, they were not paid the difference.
Construction of the Palace of Versailles
From time to time construction calmed down, but not for long, and Louis again directed his gaze to the future palace, wanting to finish it quickly grandiose project. Until 1682, he constantly moved between Versailles and Versailles, until he decided to completely move to a new residence with the entire courtyard.
This decision was dictated by several reasons. Firstly, the Sun King understood that it was possible to prevent a conspiracy in the bud only by keeping the aristocratic elite in front of his eyes. Secondly, there was constant unrest in Paris, and staying there became dangerous. 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 war. The first phase of reconstruction work lasted from 1664 to 1668, when the war with Spain broke out. By this time, the palace was able to accommodate up to 600 people.
In 1669, after the Battle of the Netherlands, a second three-year period of improvement began: the central part, a former hunting lodge, was changed, and the surrounding areas were remodeled. 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 area became a terrace. There was also an octagonal bathtub and children's rooms on the upper floors.
In 1678, the Dutch War ended, and the third part of work on the palace began until 1684. At that time western terrace turns into a Mirror Gallery, connecting the separate chambers of the crowned couple. It is distinguished by real chic and richness of decoration even today, although a large batch of decor was sold back in 1689.
New extensions appeared for princes and nobles, and two huge halls housed a greenhouse. This stage in the construction is also marked by the fact that the surrounding lands are gradually transformed into the beautiful gardens of Versailles.
1682 became the year of the official move of the royal court to a new residence, and this entailed an increase in the population of the suburb and an improvement in its well-being.
Until 1699, construction came to a standstill, as previous military campaigns and phases of work had left a significant hole in the state budget. To support the Nine Years' War, which lasted until 1710, some elements of the luxurious decor had to be sold, but after its completion, Louis XIV began 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 others in its rectangular shape and height, it changes the façade 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 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 with its majestic architecture, vast areas and royal interior decoration. Peter I, who visited France in 1717, did not hide his delight at what he saw and, looking at the mansion with the adjacent park, got the idea to build something similar in St. Petersburg.
Under the Beloved, significant changes also occur in the architectural complex, although not as colossal as under his parent.
The first thing he did was complete the Hercules interior. With him, the Chambers of Madame, the Dauphin and his wife also 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 Ambassadors' Staircase leading to the Great Royal Apartments in order to arrange the princesses' rooms in its place.
As for the park, unlike Louis XIV, his son paid little attention to the park, and its only significant element was the Neptune pool, built in 1738-1741. Radical changes in the park area took place already under Louis XVI, since over a hundred years the trees had dried out, and the need to rejuvenate green spaces led to new grandiose design ideas.
The culmination of innovative ideas in last years His reign was the refurbishment of the premises on the advice of the leading architect Gabriel - from the city side the facade was supposed to take on a classic look. Work on this project continued until the twentieth century.
The influence of the revolution and the time of the First Empire
At the beginning of October 1789, under the leadership of Lafayette, the National Guard and a crowd of people burst 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 its status as an administrative center and is sealed.
From this moment the decline of the castle begins. While Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette are in custody awaiting execution, according to the drawn up plan to get rid of luxury and use the building for the needs of the new government, the usual looting is taking place.
Many items of interior decoration were simply taken away until control was established. After this, some of the items were sent to auction, others to exhibitions.
Pondering over the fate of the palace, they offered to rent it out or sell it, but in the end they decided to leave it under the control of the republic, and until they came up with a better purpose for it, objects of art were brought here, which were later replenished in 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 it to the status of a residence, but now the emperor.
In 1806, he ordered the architect Jacques Gondoin to undertake restoration work, but Bonaparte rejected both of his projects, and only in 1808 were the gold and mirror panels recreated, and furniture brought from Fontainebleau 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: “Citizen King”, “Bourgeois King”, and finally “Pear King”. He turns the Palace of Versailles, built by order of Louis XIV, into a museum displaying historical treasures, paintings of battle scenes, portraits and busts.
But the treacherous time has prepared several more shocks, which, from the height of the past years, look like a spectacular addition to the canvas of history. So, when France turned out to be the losing side in the Franco-Prussian War, the German army settled in the palace as its headquarters (1870-1871), and in order to further humiliate the French, on January 18, in the Mirror Gallery, they 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 insult was not forgotten, and in order to return the “favor”, at the end of the First World War, the Mirror Gallery was not chosen in vain to conclude a preliminary truce and the Vienna Treaty with defeated Germany. The Palace of Versailles in France also served as a place for reconciliation between the Franco-German parties after World War II.
Since 1952, its global restoration began, for which the government allocated 5 million francs, and also announced through all means of communication the search for patrons of the arts and issued an appeal for voluntary donations from citizens. In 1979 architectural complex becomes part World Heritage UNESCO, and in 2007 the position of President of the Palace of Versailles was introduced, which was taken by the Minister of Culture Jean-Jacques Ayagon.
Exterior architecture and interior design of the mansion
Since Versailles received the status of a museum, millions of tourists flock to it every year, wanting 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 insidious plans were perfected, backstage gossip was woven and the secrets of Versailles were created. .
Finding yourself 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 around the corner, surrounded by courtiers to the rustle of silk and knocking heels.
Such a huge area once belonged to monarchs, and today the halls of Versailles welcome curious visitors. To navigate the large area (67 thousand sq. m.), you should know that the complex has several zones: Chateau, Small and Large Trianons, the territory of Marie Antoinette’s farm and a garden and park area. In total, there are 372 statues, 67 staircases and 25 thousand windows installed in the palace premises.
The main building and the main attraction of the entire complex, where all tourists strive to get to, is the Chateau. After passing the central entrance, you will find yourself in its courtyard, from where you can head 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, connecting both wings of the castle.
The highlight of the Mirror Room is the 357 mirrors located opposite the 17 windows. The reflection creates the illusion that the garden surrounds the gallery on both sides, and in the evening thousands of candles once sparkled in them. It was decorated with figured floor lamps, candelabra, bronze-cut silver vases, crystal chandeliers and live orange trees, and 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 in the role of the ancient hero.
Even the furniture here was made of pure silver (as Lebrun intended), which speaks of the original scope, but in 1689, unfortunately, it had to be melted down into coins to support the army.
There are also 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 the impressive size bed with a canopy and other interior items are decorated with gilding. There are also princess apartments nearby.
Halls of the Palace of Versailles
The mansion has several interesting halls, for example, the War Hall, where you can see paintings telling about past epic battles.
Not far from the entrance is the Royal Chapel. Its floor is decorated with the family coat of arms, laid out in 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, and the lower tier by the courtiers. After the service, the king retired to one of the chambers open today to curious visitors.
Apollo Hall (or Throne Hall) – ambassadors were received here; in the evenings, celebrations or theatrical performances with musical accompaniment were held, in which the monarch often took part.
Billiards were usually played in Diana's Hall. The Salon of Plenty served as a pantry, an exhibition of the royal collection of coins and paintings by Karachi, Veronese and Titian, while 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 looked like the organ of vision of a bull. 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, including 3,000 pomegranate, tangerine and orange trees.
IN certain time The Royal Opera House is available to view the interior, but this depends on the concert schedule. There are other rooms that can only be accessed 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 courtyard 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, Peter I, Elizabeth II, Gorbachev, Yeltsin and other political figures stayed here.
The Petit Trianon was a kind of women's territory. The cozy two-story mansion was originally inhabited by the favorite of the King's Beloved, Madame Pompadour. This is the only woman who was allowed to spend her last days in Versailles. Louis was truly attached to her, and when she died of a lung disease, he saw her off, standing on one of the palace balconies in the pouring rain.
His parting words to her were: “Well, you chose terrible weather to take your last walk, madam.”.
Later, the Petit Trianon was occupied by DuBarry and finally by Marie Antoinette. With the exception of the bedroom, this part of the mansion had more modest decoration, but it did have its own theater, where productions with the participation of the queen were staged. 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 roosts for chickens were built here, and 12 houses were also inhabited, and the “peasants” were strictly ordered to maintain a pastoral appearance.
This village has been recreated with animals and is open to visitors.
Gardens and park of Versailles
The park part surprises with its perfectly flat surface. Even when construction began, the architects leveled the site so carefully that not a single bump remained on it. The area of the gardens of Versailles occupies about 5 square meters. 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 loved to watch theatrical performances that took place in the Marble Court, and it was here that Moliere first staged The Misanthrope. And above the windows of Louis’s chambers the clock counted down the time, but was stopped at the moment of his death.
The monarch loved to stroll under the arches and among the marble columns or have dinner among them. The theme of the ancient gods was close to him, and the gardens of Versailles were lavishly decorated with their figures.
Directly in front of the Mirror Gallery, two oblong pools stretch parallel to each other, behind which the Grand Staircase leads down, and at its foot, surrounded by four stone vases, lies a pond with the Latona fountain, decorated with many gilded figures.
Further, an alley with mighty trees along it leads to a spacious green clearing, behind which, in a large pool, Apollo drives a chariot drawn by four of Neptune’s own water horses - the hippocampi. The Apollo Fountain was formed under the direction of the sculptor Tube, who took the sketches of C. Lebrun as a basis.
To the north of the palace there is a parterre decorated with the figures of “Crouching Venus” and “The Grinder”. From there, a staircase leads to the “Sirens” and “Crown” pools, which have a rounded shape, as well as to the “Pyramid” fountain, in which gilded dolphins and newts splash.
To see how the “Dragon” fountain throws a stream of water 47 meters into the air, you need to walk along the famous “Water Alley”, created by J. Hardouin-Mansart, and which has another name - “Theater of Water”. It is notable for the fact that it is framed by 14 small round ponds, 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 abound in terraces, and the further you get from the palace, the more their level gradually decreases. In addition, it’s nice to stroll 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.
A park filled with grottoes, pavilions, a system of water channels, vegetation and observation decks looks so thoughtful that it has been called “little Venice.”
Events at Versailles
Once you visit the grandiose “nest” of monarchs, this event will become the main thing in your life for a long time. The entertainment that takes place here will allow you to plunge into the colorful past of France, to attend a real ball at court, where gallant ladies and gentlemen in magnificent costumes dance in the same way as they did several centuries ago to classical music.
After that, every Saturday (May-September), when most tourists leave the Palace of Versailles, a night show with illuminated fountains and music begins for ticket holders, and the final scene at 23:00 is a grandiose fireworks display blooming over the Grand Canal.
Musical fountains are a wonderful sight, caressing the eyes and ears, and they turn 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 noteworthy, there are themed rooms, and after reconstruction, the Royal Opera House opened, where plays are staged and concert performances are held.
Offered service
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 places offer juices, potatoes and other snacks to take away, and if you want to sit in comfort, check out the restaurants near scenic spots garden
Visiting Versailles itself is a dream that comes true once in a lifetime, and not for everyone, and therefore you want to keep a souvenir in memory of the trip. In the museum store 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 full admission to all attractions is 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.
- Ball only – 17 euros.
- Free entry for children under 5 years old.
Students, people with disabilities and children 6-17 years old.
Purchasing a FORFAIT LOISIRS card will allow you to travel for free public transport and will serve as an entrance ticket to the Palace of Versailles and its park part.
Please note: video and photography can only be done after additional payment.
Opening hours of Versailles
- The gardening area is open 8:00-18:00 (during the 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 1, January 1 and December 25
Panorama of Versailles
From Paris to Versailles on your own
When choosing a day to visit the palace, you need to take into account that it is especially crowded here on weekends. Tuesday is also a busy day since most museums have a day off and people flock here. Also, in order to avoid long queues, it is better to reserve an early morning or 15:30-16:00 for the excursion.
Palace of Versailles (Photo)
Photo gallery Versailles
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