Le Château de Versailles

Opening period for visits: The Palace of Versailles is open every day except Monday. Schedules vary by season, generally from 9am to 5:30pm (last admission at 4:30pm) in low season and from 9am to 6:30pm (last admission at 6:00pm) in high season. The park is open daily from 8am to 8:30pm in high season and from 8am to 6pm in low season. It is recommended to check the opening times on the official website before planning your visit.

The Palace of Versailles was originally built as a hunting lodge for Louis XIII in 1623. It was Louis XIV, the Sun King, who transformed the lodge into an opulent palace and made it his primary residence in 1682. The chateau has been expanded and embellished over the years by the greatest architects, painters, and sculptors of the time, such as Le Vau, Le Nôtre, Le Brun, and Hardouin-Mansart.

The Palace of Versailles became a symbol of absolute monarchy and French power. The French-style gardens, designed by André Le Nôtre, are also renowned worldwide for their beauty and grandeur.

After the French Revolution, the palace lost its royal residence function and was transformed into a museum in 1837 by King Louis-Philippe. The Museum of French History was created at this time to present the history of France from the Merovingians to the Revolution.