SCHLOSS LINDERHOF

Linderhof Palace is undoubtedly the most beautiful of the three residences built by Ludwig of Bavaria, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2025. Once a simple hunting lodge, it is now home to the famous castle, nicknamed the "royal villa" because of its small size. This little architectural marvel blends perfectly into the idyllic mountain landscape. The park elegantly blends elements of French Baroque with those of an English landscape garden.

Linderhof is in fact the only one of his three major building projects that Ludwig II of Bavaria (1845-1886) was able to complete (1878), and it was also his favorite residence. The king lived here for a total of 8 years, if we take the sum of all his stays at Linderhof. Having visited the castle and park, it's easy to see why Ludwig II was so fond of this place, which exudes tranquillity and magic, and never ceases to stimulate the imagination. The park is home to a host of fascinating buildings, including the Moroccan house, the Moorish kiosk and the Venus grotto. This immense artificial grotto was equipped with ultramodern electric lighting for its time, featuring multicolored, interchangeable glass prefixes that allowed the space to be immersed in different lights and atmospheres. Completely renovated, it reopened to the public in April 2025.

Linderhof Palace itself can only be visited with a guide, and is not to be missed. Inside, everything is decorated in rococo style. You'll discover opulent, refined ornamentation using precious materials from all over the world: porcelain from Meißen and Nymphenburg, vases from Sèvres, clocks from Neuchâtel, lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, ivory from India, and much more. An ^18th-century French innovation was incorporated into the château's royal dining room, namely a "table couvre-toi", which operated with a crank that had to be turned to raise and lower the table. Perfect for not disturbing the king's daydreams. Another French heritage awaits you in the hall on the first floor: a statue of Louis XIV! Admired by Louis II, the Sun King was his idol and source of inspiration. This wonder is echoed in the impressive bedroom of Ludwig II of Bavaria. The rococo splendor of each room is simply fantastic, but nothing surpasses the sumptuousness of the Hall of Mirrors at the end of the visit.