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“What was your favourite subject in school?” – I’m sure many would say Science, Maths, or Literature. Well, for me, it was a history in most parts. Whether it was learning about the Guptas and Satvahanas to Hoysalas and Chalukyas in the South or the Lodhis in the North and the Mughals, I’ve loved every bit of it.
It was during the 9th grade (if I remember correctly) when we moved away from Indian history and started learning about world history: the French and Russian revolutions and much more. I remember reading about Louis XVI and the various phases of the French Revolution, where the Palace of Versailles played an important role.
Hence, during my maiden trip to Paris, one of my bucket list items was to visit the Palace of Versailles and soak in its grandeur. In this blog post, I’ll provide a complete guide to visiting the Palace of Versailles.
History of the Palace of Versailles
Built as a hunting lodge by Louis XIII in 1624, it was converted into a grand palace by Louis XVI in the late 1600s. The palace sprawls across an astonishing 721,206 square feet, with 2,300 rooms adorned in gold, marble, and fine art. The estate spans nearly 2,000 acres of manicured gardens, fountains, and, of course, the iconic Hall of Mirrors, which has 357 mirrors in a 240-foot-long gallery!
Historically, Versailles is more than just a palace—it was the epicentre of French political power for over a century. In 1783, the Treaty of Paris was signed here, ending the American Revolutionary War. In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors, officially ending World War I. The most dramatic event was the French Revolution. The Women’s March on Versailles in October 1789 forced Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette to abandon the palace, marking the end of France’s absolute monarchy.
After the revolution, the palace fell into disrepair until Louis-Philippe transformed it into the Museum of the History of France in 1837. Today, Versailles is both a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage site, attracting over 7 million visitors annually who witness this testament to French art, history, and power. Each room tells a story of ambition, luxury, and this palace’s profound impact on world history.
Planning your visit to the Palace of Versailles
Located about 20 km southwest of Paris, the Palace of Versailles makes for a perfect day trip. The journey takes about an hour from central Paris on the RER C line. While Paris’s standard metro pass works within the city, you’ll need a special ticket for Versailles (Zones 1-4) as the RER train system services it. A weekly Navigo pass covering all zones will work, but regular metro tickets won’t.
Arriving at Versailles Château – Rive Gauche station is an experience in itself. With its classical architecture, the station offers your first taste of Versailles’s grandeur. The 10-minute walk to the palace through the charming town of Versailles is delightful – you’ll pass elegant buildings, tree-lined avenues, and the impressive town hall.
Palace entry tickets cost €32 for adults, with access to the palace, gardens, and temporary exhibitions. It’s a time-based entry, and hence I highly recommend booking in advance as tickets are sold out. Due to KubeCon, I couldn’t prebook, and there weren’t any left.
Hence, I opted for a GetYourGuide guided tour for around €60, which, though expensive, was worth it. The guide’s insights brought the palace’s rich history to life, helping us understand countless details we might have missed on our own.
What to Expect at the Palace of Versailles
Crowd, crowd, and more crowd! It’s one of the most crowded places that I’ve been to. So make sure you’re prepared for it.
After spending half a day exploring Versailles, I realized that even that wasn’t enough to appreciate its grandeur fully. Here are the absolute must-see highlights that left me awestruck:
The Hall of Mirrors – imagine walking through a 240-foot gallery where 357 mirrors reflect the light streaming in from 17 massive windows overlooking the gardens. The ceiling, adorned with Charles Le Brun’s paintings depicting Louis XIV’s achievements, tells stories of triumph and glory. Also the most crowded place in the entire palace.
The King’s and Queen’s State Apartments are breathtaking in different ways. The King’s Grand Apartment, with its planetary theme, features seven salons, each dedicated to a different deity. The Queen’s Apartment, particularly Marie Antoinette’s bedroom, where she famously escaped during the Revolution, offers a more intimate glimpse into royal life.
The Gardens are a world unto themselves. Designed by André Le Nôtre, they feature 50 spectacular fountains (check the Musical Fountain Show schedule before visiting), 620 water features, and over 400 sculptures. The Grand Canal, stretching over a mile, creates a mesmerizing mirror effect on clear days.
Don’t miss Jacques-Louis David’s massive “The Coronation of Napoleon” in the Coronation Room. While this is actually a replica (the original is in the Louvre), its scale and detail are breathtaking. It depicts Napoleon crowning himself Emperor in 1804, a pivotal moment in French history.
The sheer scale of Versailles is mind-boggling—it’s impossible to see everything in one visit. However, allow yourself time to wander and soak in the atmosphere of this magnificent palace, which changed the course of history.
There’s also a branch of the famous Parisian café Angelina within the palace. While the café was as crowded as its flagship location on Rue de Rivoli, it offers a perfect respite after hours of walking through the grand halls.
I tried their famous Mont Blanc, which, to be honest, was a bit disappointing. It was mostly just layers of cream without the complex flavours you might expect. However, the other desserts we sampled were quite enjoyable.
Pro tip: Early morning or late afternoon visits offer the best lighting for photographs in the Hall of Mirrors when the sun streams through the windows, creating magical light effects across the gallery.
An Unforgettable Visit
My feet were tired, but my mind buzzed with centuries of history. Standing in the halls, I’d read about in history books – where Marie Antoinette once fled from revolutionaries and where world-changing treaties were signed – brought the past alive in ways I never expected.
When I boarded my train back to Paris, I was physically drained but mentally exhilarated. I fell into my hotel bed, still dreaming of mirrored halls and fountain-dotted gardens. In many ways, Versailles is a mirror. It reflects humanity’s highest aspirations and deepest flaws, making it an endlessly fascinating window into our nature.
If you’re planning to visit, book ahead and prepare for crowds. One crucial tip: if you’re in Paris for three days or less, save Versailles for your next trip. This magnificent palace deserves a full day of your attention.
That’s about it for this post. Feel free to reach out to me for any assistance. Drop your thoughts in the comments below, tweet to me at @Atulmaharaj, DM on Atulmaharaj on Instagram, or Get In Touch.
