Palace of Versailles

French history · architecture · royal palaces

Built by a King. King Louis XIV transformed a royal hunting lodge into the magnificent Palace of Versailles starting in 1661. It became so impressive that he moved the entire royal court and government from Paris to live there.

Impossibly Huge. Versailles has 700 rooms, including the famous Hall of Mirrors with 357 mirrors that sparkle with light from chandeliers and windows. The palace complex covers an area almost as large as the entire city of Monaco.

Gardens Galore. The grounds include 250,000 trees, fountains, and carefully designed gardens that stretch for miles. Visitors can spend hours exploring the manicured paths and water features.

A Work of Art. Every room is decorated with paintings, sculptures, and gold leaf to show off the king's wealth and power. Artists and craftspeople spent decades creating the stunning details you can still see today.

Where History Happened. Important treaties were signed there, and the palace hosted legendary parties and celebrations that shaped European history. Today it's one of France's most visited monuments, attracting millions of tourists each year.