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Built by Louis XIV, it was a royal residence and its park contains many elements, including the Petit and Grand Trianon
Do we still need to introduce it? Listed as a World Heritage Site, the Château de Versailles is certainly one of the finest achievements of 17th-century French art. Originally a hunting lodge designed by Louis XIII, the château is inextricably linked with another sovereign: Louis XIV, his son. As early as 1661, the Sun King launched a major expansion campaign on the estate that so fascinated him, and which became the royal palace we know today, with the installation of his Court and Government in 1682.
Inside, no fewer than 2,300 rooms! Not all are open to the public, but some are true masterpieces, such as the famous Galerie des Glaces with its 357 mirrors. The rest of the estate is equally grandiloquent. The Park, which extends over 800 hectares, is a veritable treasure trove of greenery to be explored on a self-guided tour:
The Grand Canal, with its dimensions and perfect perspective designed by André Le Nôtre, and the pièce d'eau des Suisses, to be discovered at the southern end of the gardens and extending over 12 hectares.
The Trianon estate, so dear to Louis XIV. Discover the Petit and Grand Trianon, where Marie-Antoinette's imprint can also be seen. This is all the more evident in the Hameau de la Reine, a small country village.
André Le Nôtre's gardens are the beauty of Versailles. A stroll through them will reveal a thousand and one marvels, including fountains, water features and statues, culminating in the Grande Perspective, the axis of symmetry of the gardens that extends to the Grand Canal.
The Orangerie, under the Parterre du Midi, built in 1663 by Louis Le Vau, then enlarged by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. It features a magnificent variety of orange trees from Portugal, Spain and Italy, as well as lemon, oleander, palm and pomegranate trees. The gardens are open to the public only on guided tours, or exceptionally at night.
The Opéra Royal, designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel. Requested by Louis XIV, it was not completed until the reign of Louis XV, and was inaugurated in 1770 for the wedding of the future Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.
A word of advice: before coming to visit the complex, choose the main parts you wish to see, get your tickets in advance, put on your sneakers and arrive early! And don't hesitate to come back again and again to enjoy the site from every angle.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
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Opening time and information on PALACE OF VERSAILLES
High season: April 1 - October 31. Low season: November 1 - March 31. The Château is open every day except Monday and May 1st, December 25th and January 1st: 9am to 6:30pm in high season, last admission at 6pm (ticket office closes at 5:50pm), 9am to 5:30pm in low season, last admission at 5pm (ticket office closes at 4:50pm).The Trianon Estate is open every day except Monday and May 1st, December 25th and January 1st: from 12:00 to 18:30 in high season for the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, last admission at 18:00 (ticket offices close at 17:50), and from 12:00 to 17:30 in low season, last admission at 17:00 (ticket offices close at 16:50). For the Hameau de la Reine and its gardens, from 12:00 to 19:30 in high season (gardens evacuated from 19:00), from 12:00 to 17:30 in low season, last admission at 17:00 (checkouts close at 16:50). The Park and Gardens of Versailles are open daily: 8am to 8:30pm in high season (last admission at 7:45pm for the park and 7pm for the gardens) and 8am to 6pm in low season (last admission at 5:30pm).- Passport ticket (access to the entire estate: Château + Gardens + Trianon Estate): €24 in low season, €32 in high season.- Château ticket: €21- Trianon Estate ticket: €13 1 year at Versailles" pass: €65 solo, €98 duo.Free admission: Admission to the Château, Trianon estate and temporary exhibitions is free for under-26s (EU residents), jobseekers, disabled persons, etc., on presentation of proof. Please note that this free admission does not apply to the Gardens on the days of Grandes Eaux Musicales and Jardins Musicaux, which are only open to children aged 0 to 5.Please consult the Château de Versailles website for details of all those entitled to free admission.Reservations are required for all, including those eligible for free admission.
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Members' reviews on PALACE OF VERSAILLES
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
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The palace doesn’t whisper elegance — it screams it in gold leaf and mirrors. From the Hall of Mirrors to the endless gardens, everything is so extra… but in that perfectly French way. You don’t walk through Versailles. You glide. Or at least pretend to while checking if your jaw is still on the marble floor.
As someone who struggles to keep my bedroom tidy, seeing Louis XIV’s place made me realize: maybe I just need a few fountains and a sculpture garden to pull it all together.
The whole experience is a decadent dive into French history, drama, and decorative ambition. Versailles isn’t just a palace — it’s a humble reminder that less is not always more (especially if you’re a Sun King).
Would I go back? Oui, oui, et encore oui. Versailles isn’t just a tourist spot — it’s a royal mood.