Versailles
History
History of Versailles
The Chateau
The Chateau and Gardens of Versailles is one of the most prestigious monuments of the world’s artistic heritage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Versailles is the finest and most complete achievement of 17th century French art and symbolizes the absolute power of the Bourbon monarchs of France and the magnificence of the reigns of Louis XIV, the “Sun King”, (1643-1715), Louis XV (1715-1774) and Louis XVI (1774-1792).
Louis XIV’s childhood had been spent in the fear and disorder of a civil war between rival bands of aristocrats, the ‘Fronde’, and associated Paris with intrigue and violence. He wanted a Palace outside, but near, Paris, and chose to build at Versailles, where his father, Louis XIII (1601-1643), had built a simple hunting lodge. Louis XIV wanted to organize and completely control a government of France centered upon his person, an absolute monarchy. Visiting his finance minister, Nicolas Fouquet, who had built the finest chateau and garden in France at Vaux-le-Vicomte, he was entertained with a fete which was one of the most magnificent in French history, Louis decided to build a chateau which was even grander and finer. Fouquet’s achievement was his undoing as together with his mismanagement of funds and Louis made jealous by the magnificent chateau and fete, he was arrested in 1661, banished and then sentenced to life imprisonment.
Using the same ‘design team’ as Fouquet – architect
Louis Le Vau, decorator Charles Le Brun, and garden designer Andre
Le Notre - Versailles was designed to be the most glorious palace
in Europe. It is still dazzling in its opulence. Louis IV took
up residence in May 1682 before construction was completed and
while Mansart, the architect who took over from Le Vau, was still
overseeing 36,000 laborers and soldiers. Versailles would become
the official residence of the Court of France, supplanting the
Louvre palaces, and at its height 20,000 courtiers lived there.
The Chateau was added to in the 18th century, during the reigns
of Louis XV and Louis XVI. The royal family and the court were
forced to leave Versailles on October 6, 1789, after the first
days of the French Revolution.
The Town of Versailles
Versailles is well-worth a visit as it was created by Louis XIV to supply the Chateau and be an instrument of his government.
The highlights are:
The King’s Kitchen Garden
The Coach Museum
The Jeu de Paume Court
Museum of the Landmarks in the History of French Parliament
In the Rue St. Mederic was a house known as Parc aux Cerfs. Louis XV liked to hunt and pursue women. After Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV took a former prostitute, Madame du Barry, as his mistress, but with age he developed a liking for young ‘common’ girls and kept several at a time for his pleasure in the house known as the Parc aux Cerfs ("Deer Park").
What you'll see
Inside the Chateau:
On the first floor are the private apartments of the king and
queen composed around the Marble Courtyard. On the garden side
are the state apartments of official court life.
Hall of Mirrors - where great state occasions were held. It was here the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 ending World War I.
Queen’s Bedroom - in this room the Queen gave birth to the royal children, in public view
Chapelle Royale - the first floor was reserved for the royal family and the ground floor for the court. Best seen from the first floor
Salon de Venus - statue of Louis IV in a beautiful marble décor
Salon d’Apollon - dedicated to the god Apollo, Louis XIV’s throne room. A copy of Rigaud’s famous portrait of the king (the king was 58 years of age at the time) hangs above the fireplace. The symbol of Apollo was used throughout the Chateau and gardens, thus Louis IV’s name, the “Sun King”.
The King’s Bedroom - where much court business was carried on and where Louis XIV died in 1715
Salon de la Guerre (The War Room) - includes a stucco relief of Louis XIV riding to victory
Louis XIV’s Library - King’s large terrestrial globe amid Neo-classical paneling
Salon du Sacre- Huge paintings of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David
Park & Gardens:
Formal Gardenss – Geometric flower beds and fountains in perfect harmony with the Chateau
Grand Trianon - Built in 1687, a small Palace of white and pink marble where Louis XIV could escape from the formality of the Chateau and entertain his last mistress, Madame de Maintenon. The charm of the Trianon resides in its floral decoration, a motif that recurs in woodwork, paintings, and flowerbeds. Also a favorite place of Napoleon.
Petit Trianon - built in 1768 for Louix XV and his mistress Mme de Pompadour, it became the favorite residence of Marie Antoinette.
Hameau – in 1783 Marie-Antoinette had a make-believe rustic hamlet built which was actually a small working farm. Here the queen played at being a shepherdess. Rousseau’s vision of “returning to the simplicity of nature” was in vogue at the time but the cost of this artificial farm was millions of francs. Marie-Antoinette’s extravagancy caused her to be hated by the French people and was one of the factors leading to the French revolution in 1789.
The Grand Canal – setting for Louis XIV’s boating parties.
What's On:
Special Events
Versailles is visited by more than 4,700,000 people a year.
Fastes de Cour et Ceremonies Royales (Court Pomp and Royal Ceremony) retraces European court costumes from 1650 to 1800 . The exhibition runs through June 28, is underwritten by Chanel.
In his foreword to the exhibition catalogue, Karl Lagerfeld notes that even the French court, "the most brilliant and imitated in the world," went into debt to retain universal admiration. "Nothing was too beautiful, or too expensive,"the designer points out. "One had to dazzle to impose "
As there is so much to see, one can get an overview of the gardens by taking the small train that shuttles between the terrace in front of the château and the Trianons (15 mins). The train trip lasts 35 mn, costs 3.0 to 5.50 €.
If you need a slight pause, there are little boats on the Grand Canal – capacity of a boat is 4 people. Departure : Grand Canal
Chateau of Versailles Tours
From 1661, Louis XIV built what was to become the most prestigious residence of all the courts of Europe with world famous architects and decorators such as Le Vau, Mansart, garden designer Andre Le Notre, garden sculptures (statues, busts, marble vases) initially supervised by Charles Le Brun, the King’s leading painter. From 1682, Louis XIV officially installed the court and government of the Kingdom.
Full day tours includes a visit to the Trianon vast mansion-style lodges where Louis XV and Louis XVI liked to work and retire from court life) and the Queen’s hamlet (where from 1783 Marie Antoinette played the role in her own private theatre as a shepherdess).
During summer weekends you can wander around the groves and pools and enjoy a magnificent Fountain Show accompanied by music from one of the court composers of Louis XIV (Supplemental Cost) which reveals the skill and artistry of three centuries of French garden design and engineering.
Summer evening illuminated fountain and firework show now bookable. See below for details.
Special Fountains Show Programme* :
Every Saturdays and Sundays : from April 3rd to October 31st,
+ May 4th, 11th and 13th and July 14th.
Tuesdays from May 18th to June 29th
Musical Gardens programme*:
Tuesdays July 6th to September 28th
*Supplement 9€pp :
Inquiry Form
Half Day Tours
Skip the lines
All through the excursion, our guide-interpreter will bring back to life the Palace of Versailles where, from 1682, Louis XIV officially installed the court and government of the Kingdom.
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From 54€pp
Group Tours with Coach Transfer
Skip the lines with this Self-Guided Option
Cost: 54€pp More Details and Secure Online Booking
Departures Daily: 8.45 am + 2.00 pm except on Monday.
Includes: Coach Transfers, Audio tapes in coach to help prepare your visit, entrance ticket which give you access on your own to: the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the Dauphin’s and queen's Apartments.
Escorted Option
Adults: 66€pp More Details and Secure Online Booking
Departures Daily : 8.45 am and 2.00 pm except monday.
Includes: Guide/Interpreter, entrance ticket which give you access on your own to: the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the Dauphin’s and queen’s Apartments, free time at the end of the excursion to stroll through the French gardens
Fountain Show Option : in addition to the above an escorted tour on the 2pm departure of the gardens Fountain Show on Summer Weekends and Tuesdays : May 13th and July 14th + Tuesdays from May 18th to June 29th.
Adults: 75€pp More Details and Secure Online Booking
Semi Private Tours by minivan
Self-Guided Option with audio guide.
Adults : 77€pp More Details and Secure Online Booking
Departures Daily : 8.15 am and 1.15 pm except on Monday.
Includes: Transfer and hotel pick up and drop off, entrance ticket which give you access on your own to: the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the Dauphin’s and queen's Apartments.
Escorted Option
Adults : 91€pp More Details and Secure Online Booking
Departures Daily: 8.30 am everyday except Monday,
Includes: Transfer and hotel pick up and drop off, Guide/Interpreter, entrance ticket which give you access on your own to: the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, the Dauphin’s and queen’s Apartments, free time at the end of the excursion to stroll through the French gardens.
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Full Day Tours
Versailles Palace covers an immense areas. Take the day to visit the castle, have lunch at the restaurant by the lake and visit the gardens and hameau of Marie Antoinette in the afternoon.
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From 49€pp
Group Tours with Escorted Transfer by Train
Skip the lines with our Guided Option
Cost: 49€pp
Departures Daily except Monday: 9:30am
Includes:
Round trip train ticket, Guided tour of the Palace of Versailles (State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors and the Royal Chapel) with a professional guide and entrance fees. Entrance fees included for your self tour of the gardens* and Marie-Antoinette‘s Estate (Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, Marie-Antoinette’s hamlet).
Our guide escorting you on the train there, make your way back on the train at your leisure.
Please use the inquiry form.
Group Tours by Coach
Escorted Tour
Departures : Apr 1st to Oct 31st : departure 8.45 am Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday except Thursdays Nov 1st to Mar 31st
With Lunch : 109€ More Details and Secure Online Booking
Includes: Transfer by coach, entrance tickets, guided morning visit of the Royal Apartments and Gardens Park, afternoon guided visit of the Trianon and Marie Antoinette's hamlet, optional country-style lunch in the Park’s restaurant with drinks.
Semi Private Tour
Departures : 8.30 am on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, except the first sunday of the month in winter.
159€pp More Details and Online Booking
Includes:Transfer and hotel pick up and drop off by minivan., entrance tickets, guided morning visit of the Royal Apartments and Gardens Park, afternoon guided visit of the Petit & Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette's hamlet, country-style lunch with drinks in the Park’s restaurant
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Versailles + Giverny
Visit Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny in the morning and the Chateaux and gardens of Versailles in the afternoon. This tour is available April 1 to October 31st only as Monet's Home is closed in the winter.
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From 142€ pp
Departures Daily : 8:30am except Mondays
Escorter Group Option Adult: 142€pp More Details and Secure Online Booking
Semi Private Option Adult : 166€pp More Details and Secure Online Booking
Duration 9 hrs
Includes: entrance tickets, guided morning visit of visit to Monet’s House in Giverny, afternoon guided visit of the Royal Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, and the Queen’s apartments, afternoon guided visit of the Petit & Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette's hamlet, lunch at Moulin de Fourges restaurant. Minivan option includes hotel/rental pick up and drop off.
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Versailles + Paris
With limited time this is a great option to see the highlights at the Chateau Versailles as well as a Panoramic Paris city tour.
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From 99 € pp
Escorted Group Tour of Paris & Versailles
Departure 8.45 am everyday except on Mondays
Adult : 99€ More Details and Secure Online Booking
Includes: entrance tickets, Royal Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, and the Queen’s apartments free time in the Gardens, afternoon city tour of the main Parisian monuments (audio commentaries included) + one hour commented Seine river cruise, lift ticket to the Panoramic 2nd floor of the Eiffel Tower where tours end. 3 course lunch at a restaurant in Paris. Coach transfers.
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Bike Tour to Versailles
Le Chateau de Versailles awaits you in all its grandeur as you return to the time period of the most famous French Kings and Queens. Allow us to bring you the most famous "house" in the world as few others have experienced it.
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65€pp
Departures:
3/1 to 3/31 Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun at 9:15am
4/1 to 10/15 Everyday at 9:15am (except Monday)
10/16 to 11/15 Tues, Thurs, Sat & Sun at 9:15am
Duration: 7 hrs
Includes: guide, bicycle, transportation to and from Versailles and Chateau entrance.
Use the inquiry form to book
After meeting at our Paris office we'll ride our bicycles to the nearest RER station for the quick 20 minute trip to Versailles. Once at Versailles, we'll first visit the village market for all of us to buy baguettes, cheese, ham, wine or whatever you desire for our picnic later in the Chateau's gardens.
The highlight of the day is our bicycle ride through the gardens behind the Chateau. The average Versailles tourist doesn't realize that they can only visit a small fraction of the gardens on foot. We, however, are able to visit everything worth seeing including Marie Antoinette's Hameau and the quiet Petit and Grand Trianons. The gardens and forests are crisscrossed by a network of fantastic trails and tree-lined paths. Bring your camera for breath-taking views in every direction.
Once we arrive at the far end of the Grand Canal we'll settle down for our picnic in the exact spot where Kings Louis XIV, XV and XVI ate in order to marvel at their house at the other end. The magnitude of Versailles and the basis for the anger of the French citizens in 1789 is finally understood. But today we'll simply relax all alone in the grass and sunshine since we're the only ones that can easily reach the end of the Grand Canal.
After lunch we'll pedal again through the gardens back towards the Chateau itself for an unforgettable view into the lives of the monarchy before being deposed by the Revolution in 1789. Visit the Hall of Mirrors (site of the treaty ending World War I), the King's state apartments and the amazing King's chapel. And finally after enjoying one of the treasures of France we'll return to Paris via the RER.
No Tours July 24th
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Private Tour
Let our licensed bilingual guides pick you up and drop you off at your hotel or apartment rental. No lost time. Either half day or full day in a luxury vehicle from 1 to 8 persons. Or in combination with a half day in Paris or Giverny.
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Half Day Tours 4 hrs
Click on the above Inquiry Form to request a private tour
On the way to Versailles, introduction to the history and architecture of the palace. Visit of the parc of Versailles (Grand Canal, Petit Canal, outside visit of the Trianon and the Hamlet of Marie Antoinette). Guided visit of the State Apartments. Visit of the Gardens.
Back to Paris and drop at a charming restaurant in Paris for lunch.
Full Day Tours 8 hrs
On the way to Versailles, your guide will give you an introduction to the history and architecture of the palace. Guided visit of the chateau Grands Apartments (King's Apartments, Queen's Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, Hall of the Battles). Visit of the Gardens and the Groves (Ball Room, Colonnade, Encelade, Bath of Apollo, Arc de Triomphe, Neptune etc).
Free for lunch in Versailles. After lunch visit of the Parc, Grand Canal, Grand Trianon (visit), Petit Trianon (visit) and Hamlet of the Queen Marie-Antoinette (visit).
If you are lucky enough to visit the Gardens on Saturdays or Sundays in the summer you will see a magical Fountain Show in the garden.
Reservation Fee Included
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Visit Versailles + Horse Show
L'Academie du spectacle equestre de Versailles, directed by Bartabas, lets you into the intimacy of dressage sessions open to the public. Work sessions of the riders and their horses dancing to baroque music.
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Private Full Day Tour of Versailles, Gardens and Royal Stables to see the Horse Training Tour.
Like any other artist, the Academy’s equerries practice everyday with their horses. Les Matinales des écuyers will allow you to discover these dressage sessions against a baroque musical background. Equestrian art as seen by Bartabas, all about the rigour and smoothness, momentum and subtlety of the riders’ work with their mounts.
Available Saturdays and Sundays February thru July except June.
Thirty horses live today in the 17th century stables restored for the Academy of equestrian arts. Most of them are Lusitanian. Their cream-coloured coat (cremelos) and their blue eyes were particularly appreciated by Louis XIV. They made the reputation of the Ecole de Versailles. There are other horses in the cavalry: for example eight Argentine criollos, three black Arab thoroughbreds, one Shire, one Andalusian and one Quarter Horse... Each horse works according to its level of training (basse école, haute école, saut d’école) or is used in artistic fencing.
15 Equeries follow different curricula live and work together every day in Versailles. They like to speak of it being a company as the notion of collective work is very much at the core of their experience. Every year, riders join the Academy with the prospect of becoming permanent riders at some stage as the Academy’s internal organisation allows them to gain some responsibilities within the structure, depending on their competences, motivations and seniority.
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Versailles by Helicopter
Fly From Versailles to Paris
Discover the beauty of Versailles from the air by Helicopter. 30 minute rides leaving from Paris or Versailles.
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Private Flights
5 seater US Robinn 44 helicopters leave from Paris during the weekend and 3 seaters Robinns everyday from Versailles. See an unspoiled view of Paris and its most beautiful monuments - Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tour, Montparnasse Tower, Invalides, the National Library, Tuileries, Versailles Palace and its gardens.
Or
Combine a half day tour to the Chateau and and in the afternoon take a helicopter tour. Your will be waiting at the heliport to drive you back to Paris.
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Music, Fountains & Firework Show
Limited Departures - Book Early
Experience the glories of Louis IV with a baroque serenade in the Hall of Mirrors, followed by a magnificent illuminated fountain show and fireworks.
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Only 79€pp
Departure every Saturdays: 19th and 26th June, 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
and 31st July, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th August 2010.
Adults 79€pp Kids 55 €pp More Details and Secure Online Booking
For a private visit please use the inquiry form
Serenade 7.45 pm - 8.35 pm
Get a glimpse of the flamboyance of the court under the reign of Louis XIV in the King’s appartments and the Hall of Mirrors to the sound of a serenade at sunset. Baroque musicians and pairs of costumed dancers will accompany your visit. A privileged moment when the great Mirrors reflected the glory of the setting sun and the Sun King shines once more.
Evening Fountains Show 9.00 pm - 11.20 pm
At nightfall, the fountains are illuminated and the music begins to play. The Gardens of Versailles create the mysterious backdrop for a walk along the terraces and through the groves, accompanied by music. Fireworks above the Grand Canal light up the stunning finale to a magical stroll through time and provide a fitting conclusion to the spectacle.
Beverages and snacks available in the park (not included).
Departure from Versailles at 11.30 pm.
Return to Paris around 0.30am, drop-off points at Etoile, Opéra and Chatelet.
Approximate Itinerary
6:30 pm: collect your tickets
6.45 pm: departure from Paris
7:30 pm: arrival at the Palace
Return journey in motorcoach from Paris center. King’s Palace visit «skip the line». Accompanied by hostess. Entrance tickets.
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