What to See Inside the Palace of Versailles?

If you are visiting Paris, how can you miss one of the city’s must-see spots: The Palace of Versailles. 

It is an impressive 17th-century building and a World Heritage Site with over 800 hectares and 2300 rooms.

What began as Louis XII’s hunting ground has now become the biggest monarchical complex in the West, with 15 million annual visitors.

The accession to the throne of Louis XIV and the French Revolution have nurtured this place, making it one of the most visited museums in France. 

As a bonus, you can easily visit the site on a day trip or even a half-day visit. 

If you want to know what it’s like to live the way the monarchy lived, get ready. We will give you an overview of what you can see at Versailles. 

Why did Louis XIV create the Palace of Versailles?

First, let’s learn why he created the palace and how it looks so breathtaking.

Louis has always believed in his god-like status, divine right to rule, and absolute power, so much so that he called himself “Sun King.”

Why? Because he thinks France revolves around him like the Earth revolves around the sun.

But he also had a reason to expand the palace, house his entire royal court of 5,000 and provide office space for up to 5,000 people to control them better.

Despite our understanding that Louis spent France’s wealth to support his vanity, the politically astute king viewed his expenditures as an investment in his ongoing power.

One of his basic ideas appears to have been: “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

Must-Sees At The Palace of Versailles and Its Gardens 

Although the Palace of Versailles and its surrounding gardens and woodlands are full of stunning sights, they are nearly always highly crowded. 

This famous palace’s historical position is forever sealed, thanks to King Louis XIV. 

And its status as a prominent tourist destination near Paris is unquestionable. But what will you see here? The palace has 2,300 rooms. 

Therefore, it will be hard to visit them all. And let’s not forget about the magnificent gardens, which must be viewed.

We’ve identified the main areas to see at Versailles to help you narrow down the most essential things to see so you’re prepared for your trip!

1. Hall of Mirrors (Galeries des Glaces)

This is one of the most famous rooms in Versailles and undoubtedly the most beautiful. 

It is a long, rectangular room with mirrors and chandeliers that create a dazzling display of light and reflection. 

The hall is approximately 73 meters (240 feet) long and 10 meters (33 feet) wide. Its vaulted ceilings house 357 mirrors and 30 vivid paintings.

So, as you stand in the hall, you will see the mirrors on the entry into the other rooms on one side and windows to the gardens on the other.

The room was used for various royal events, including the 1919 signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I.

The Hall of Mirrors also came in handy for the lavish balls held after royal weddings. 

2. The Gardens of Versailles

Undoubtedly, the palace is well known for its 40-year-old garden.

This French formal garden-style masterpiece features numerous fountains, sculptures, and walking trails designed by André Le Nôtre.

Making the gardens was so daunting that thousands of workers, including entire regiments, worked on it. 

The last replantation was done in the early 2000s, so if you go now, you will get an idea of what it looked like during the time of Louis XIV. 

Here are some key attractions and features that contribute to their fame:

• Fountains: Over 600 fountains, including iconic ones like the Four Seasons Fountain, Latona Fountain, and Neptune Fountain, can be seen. These fountains are a testament to the engineering and artistic skills of the time.
  
• Sculptures: The gardens are home to almost 386 sculptures in lead, bronze, and marble, with many inspired by Greek mythology and the French school of sculpture.
  
• Walking Trails: Visitors can explore various trails, including the Grand Parc, Grand Canal, and Petit Parc. These paths offer stunning views of the gardens and the palace.

3. The King’s and Queen’s Chambers

This is where you should start your trip if you want to see how the 17th-century kings who changed France’s history lived. 

These chambers constitute the most personal and intimate part of royal life. Thus, they are equally decorated and luxurious.

The apartments are divided into two main parts: the King’s State Apartments and the King’s Private Apartments. 

The King’s State Apartments are the most public part of the palace and are used for official events and receptions. 

Private apartments are more private and are used by the king and his family for personal activities.

The Queen’s Apartment is located adjacent to the King’s State Apartments and is a suite of rooms reserved for the queen’s personal use. 

The rooms were initially arranged for the use of Maria Theresa of Spain, consort of Louis XIV. 

They were later modified for use by Marie Leszczyńska and finally by Marie Antoinette.

Once you are there, we advise you to explore them in more detail and learn what makes them the central rooms in Versailles.

4. The Royal Chapel

Every self-respecting palace at that time needed a chapel to have its daily masses and ceremonies. 

Hence, the Royal Chapel was built in the 17th century during the reign of King Louis XIV, who commissioned its construction in 1682. 

Architect Robert de Cotte designed the chapel, which took several years to complete.

It is a stunning example of French Baroque architecture, and its grand design features intricate carvings, gilded decorations, and ornate furnishings.

There is an impressive solid marble floor and walls and a stunning ceiling painted by French artist Charles de La Fosse, which cost over two million pounds.

This chapel was used for various royal events and ceremonies, including King Louis XIV’s coronation in 1654 and Queen Marie-Thérèse’s burial in 1672.

As a result, the chapel turned out to be one of the most luxurious in the entire complex.

5. Art at Versailles Palace

As you explore the Palace of Versailles, you’ll see beautiful frescos, paintings, sculptures, and other art everywhere.

If we put it in numbers, the estate houses about 6,000 paintings, 3,000 sculptures and over 60,000 pieces of art if we count furnishings, tapestries and other items.

You can see all of this biggest collection today in the palace turned museum.

With so many beautiful things vying for your attention, concentrating on individual works of art can be tough.

So, what’s the best way to appreciate the palace’s rich art collection?

Here are a few suggestions (however, feel free to substitute your own favorites):

You’ll find painted ceilings in practically every room.

The Chateau’s largest room, the Gallery of Great Battles, features 33 massive paintings spanning 1,500 years of French history and fabric art, such as tapestries, wall coverings, and beds.

6. The Battle Gallery

Louis-Philippe had the grand idea to do everything on a grand scale, so how could he leave behind the victories and achievements of the country?

The Gallery of Battles is the largest room in the Palace of Versailles, covering almost the entire first floor of the South Wing. 

Louis-Philippe designed it in 1833 to commemorate French military victories from the Battle of Tolbiac (496) to the Battle of Wagram (1809).

The gallery features a series of 33 paintings depicting the greatest battles in French history, including works by renowned artists such as Eugène Delacroix, Horace Vernet, and François Gérard. 

These paintings were specially commissioned for the gallery to showcase the artistic talent of the time.

This exhibit has nearly become a museum, attracting visitors’ attention with its massive size and excellent historical classification. 

It acts almost as a script for learning the full history of the period. Some must-see paintings include: 

• François Gérard’s Battle of Austerlitz
• François Gérard’s The Entry of Henry IV into Paris, 
• Horace Vernet’s The Battle of Fontenoy and 
• Horace Vernet’s The Battle of Bouvines

7. Royal Opera House

The palace had everything, starting with 2,143 windows, 1,252 chimneys, 67 staircases and enough space for up to 3000 residents and 10,000 visitors in the staterooms.

Only one thing was lacking, and that was his own opera house. So, how could the kings have tolerated this embarrassment? 

Hence, despite the financial difficulties, he ordered the construction of the Royal Opera.

It was completed at the time of his son’s (the future Louis XIV’s) wedding to Marie Antoinette and became the largest concert hall in Europe. 

Today, this magnificent Royal Opera House continues to be used for ballet, concerts, balls, and operatic performances.

We recommend attending a performance there if you can see the king’s most significant contribution.

8. The Royal Gate and Palace d’Armes

The Place d’Armes is the large courtyard in front of the palace that serves as the main entrance to the Versailles complex. 

Three major avenues converge here, making it an important focal point. 

The Gate of Honor is the elaborate, gilded iron gate that marks the main entrance to the palace. 

It was originally designed by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart in the 1680s but was destroyed during the French Revolution. 

The current gate, unveiled in 2008, is a modern recreation that partially restores the original design. 

As the main entry point, the Place d’Armes and Gate of Honor are the first things visitors encounter when arriving at Versailles.

They set the tone for the grandeur and were designed to impress visitors and glorify the power and prestige of the French monarchy. 

9. The Grand Canal

The Grand Canal was built between 1667 and 1679 at the instigation of André Le Nôtre, the King’s gardener. 

It was designed as a cross-shaped body of water, with a main east-west perspective aligned with the château’s axis and a north-south perpendicular branch.

This canal is approximately 1.6 kilometers long and 62 meters wide, with a perimeter of over 5.5 kilometers. 

It is divided into two branches: the northern branch, running towards Trianon, is 400 meters long, while the southern branch, running towards the Royal Menagerie, is 600 meters long.

It was also used as a backdrop for fireworks and other events, and its size and grandeur reflected the power and prestige of the French monarchy.

Today, visitors can enjoy the Grand Canal while visiting the Palace of Versailles. 

The canal is a popular spot for picnics, strolls, and taking in the beauty of the surrounding gardens and architecture.

10. The Hall of the Crusades 

The Hall of the Crusades at the Palace of Versailles is located in the north wing and was created in the mid-19th century under the reign of King Louis-Philippe. 

His vision was transforming Versailles into a museum dedicated “to all the glories of France.” 

The hall is decorated with elaborate murals and paintings depicting key events and battles from the Crusades. 

These artworks are significant examples of 19th-century historical painting and provide insight into how the Crusades were viewed during that era.

The detailed artistic work showcases a romanticized view of the Crusades, emphasizing chivalry, heroism, and religious fervor.

The walls are adorned with large-scale murals that vividly depict scenes from various crusades, including battles, sieges, and significant moments.

Look for the detailed panels that illustrate specific events and provide context to the broader historical narratives of the Crusades.

The hall features beautiful stained-glass windows that enhance its ambiance by adding to its overall aesthetic and providing a colorful interplay of light.

11. The Grand Trianon Palace

As much as Louis XIV adored Versailles, he became weary of the strict rituals and lack of solitude imposed by royal life. 

Perhaps more importantly, he sought a secluded space to meet with his mistress at the moment, Madame de Montespan.

So he commissioned architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart to build him “a little palace of pink marble and porphyry, with marvelous gardens.”

Although the little palace was ready for use in 1670, it swiftly fell apart, as did Louis’ relationship with his mistress. 

The second edition, finished in 1688, is what you see now.

The Grand Trianon is split into two great portions by a long Italian-style colonnade, which Louis especially desired.

Most of the First Empire decor and furniture you see today were installed by Napoleon after the original artifacts from Louis were auctioned after the French Revolution.

12. The Domains of Marie-Antoinette

The Domains of Marie-Antoinette were created as a personal retreat for Queen Marie-Antoinette, wife of King Louis XVI. 

They reflect her desire for simplicity and a pastoral lifestyle, distinct from the formality of court life at the main palace.

This is undoubtedly one of the most charismatic monarchs, and one of the buildings she erected during her reign is now open to the public. 

Marie-Antoinette’s plan was to create an idealized setting of a rural environment in which she might feel “closer” to the people. 

Nowadays, a little train may take you to this region of the Palace of Versailles, saving you time on the journey.

What to See at the Domains of Marie-Antoinette:

1. Petit Trianon:
   • This small, elegant palace was Marie-Antoinette’s personal haven with beautifully furnished rooms, including the Queen’s bedroom, the music room, and the dining room.
     
2. The Queen’s Hamlet (Le Hameau de la Reine):
   • Designed to resemble a rustic village, this charming area includes cottages, a mill, a dairy, and a farmhouse. It was a picturesque retreat where Marie-Antoinette could indulge in a simplified, pastoral lifestyle.
     
3. The Temple of Love:
   • A classical-style pavilion situated in the Petit Trianon’s gardens is an exquisite example of romantic architecture, symbolizing love and beauty.

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Featured Image: Nationalgeographic.com