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The Palace of Versailles History

A Century as France’s Royal Residence

The Palace of Versailles served as the royal residence of France for more than a century, from 1682 until the French Revolution in 1789. It began humbly in 1624, when Louis XIII built a small hunting lodge in the village of Versailles, just outside Paris. That modest structure would be transformed by his successor, Louis XIV—known as the “Sun King”—into one of the most extraordinary palaces in the world. Both Louis XV and Louis XVI also made Versailles their primary home until the Revolution.


Early Construction and Grand Design

  • Original Hunting Lodge: Built by Louis XIII in 1624.
  • Major Expansion Under Louis XIV:
    • Louis Le Vau (architect), Charles Le Brun (painter and decorator), and André Le Nôtre (landscape architect) cleared 37,000 acres, introducing terraces, walkways, vast flowerbeds, 1,400 fountains, and 400 sculptures.
    • Jules Hardouin-Mansart joined in 1676, enlarging the palace and creating the Hall of Mirrors, Southern Wing, and Ministers’ Wings.

By the late 17th century, the palace grounds could host up to 5,000 residents, with thousands more soldiers and servants in annexes and nearby.

The view of the gardens of Versailles from the château.
The view of the gardens of Versailles from the château.

Louis XV’s Court and Financial Strains

In June 1722, Louis XV brought the royal court back to Versailles from Paris. It was during his reign that Ange-Jacques Gabriel updated interiors, including the King’s Council Chamber, and introduced a lighter neoclassical style.

However, ongoing warfare—particularly the Seven Years’ War—left France heavily in debt. When Louis XV died in 1774, he left his heir, Louis XVI, with massive financial burdens. Despite this, Louis XVI continued to commission new projects, such as replanting gardens, adding a new library, and permitting Marie Antoinette to refurbish her private apartments.


The French Revolution Comes to Versailles

By 1788, the French government was bankrupt. Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General, which met in the town of Versailles—famously using the Jeu de Paume court, becoming a key site in revolutionary history.

On October 6, 1789, a crowd of mostly women marched from Paris to Versailles demanding bread. They forced entry into the palace and nearly reached Marie Antoinette’s bedchamber. Soon after, in an effort to calm the uprising, Louis XVI moved the royal family to Paris. They would never return to live in Versailles. During the Revolution, much of the palace’s furniture was sold, and its art was moved to the Louvre.

A portrait of Louis XVI, King of France.
A portrait of Louis XVI, King of France.

Post-Revolution Restorations and Modern-Day Versailles

  • Napoleon’s Era: Napoleon commissioned partial restorations, continued by King Louis XVIII after the monarchy’s restoration in 1814.
  • Museum of French History: Louis-Philippe converted Versailles into a historical museum in the 1830s, inaugurating it in 1837.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • In 1871, the German Empire was proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors.
    • In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed there, ending World War I.

During the 1960s and 1980s, extensive restoration efforts returned original furnishings, artwork, and decorations to the palace.

Today, much of the château remains a national monument. Although only a portion is open to the public, visitors can explore the opulent central section and parts of the north and south wings. The rest still houses various government offices and archives.

A crystal chandelier in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles castle.
A crystal chandelier in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles castle.

Visiting Versailles from Paris

Versailles is an easy day trip from Paris. Options include private driver-guides with skip-the-line tickets and round-trip transportation from your hotel, or combined excursions that include both Versailles and Monet’s Giverny in one day.


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For more travel tips on France’s grandest palace, check out our dedicated tours and additional resources. Enjoy a step back into French royal history—and don’t miss the Hall of Mirrors, the lavish gardens, and the Queen’s chambers left untouched since 1789.