There are places in the world where history feels alive—and then, then there’s the Palace of Versailles. Just a short train ride from Paris, this magnificent palace, once home to French royals, is an experience that leaves you inspired. It’s walking into a world of opulence, grandeur, and controversy.

If you are in Paris, it is imperative to set aside at least one day for a day trip to this marvelous place. The good news is that getting there is quick and convenient. Located 20 kilometers (12 miles) outside of the city, is an easy and enjoyable day trip that doesn’t require too much time or effort to reach.

The most popular way to get to Versailles is by train, specifically the RER C line, which runs from several stations in Paris. If you're near Gare d'Austerlitz, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, Invalides or really many places in the city center, you can hop on the RER C, which will take you directly to Versailles Château Rive Gauche station in about 40 minutes. Once you step off the train, it’s just a short 10-minute walk to the main entrance of the palace. A round-trip ticket for the RER C will cost you about €9 euros. Make sure you do buy the return, so can skip lines when getting back to the city.

Alternatively, you could take a SNCF train from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers or from Gare Saint-Lazare to Versailles Rive Droite, both of which also offer direct routes to the palace. The journey takes about 30-40 minutes, depending on the service. But for the most straightforward experience and the views of the Eiffel Tower from the train, I recommend the RER C.

The entry fee for the Chateau is €29 euros, which covers access to both the palace itself and the beautiful gardens, as well as the Trianon Estate, with Marie Antoinette’s Petit Trianon. It is totally recommended to buy your ticket in their website in advance and set up a visit time. Also, always reconfirm opening times in case of special events or holidays: https://versaillesticket.com

If you’d like to take your visit to the next level, you can also book a private guided tour. These tours, which range from €50 to €120 euros, offer a more personalized and in-depth experience of Versailles. Also for €10 euros additional to your passport ticket, you can choose to do guided themed tours into less busy areas of the palace. Otherwise, you can take their audio-tour and explore by yourself.

For those who want to make their visit as smooth as possible, there are also skip-the-line tickets, which save you time and hassle, particularly during the high season when crowds can get overwhelming. Me personally, I have always been there in dates of not such high flow of people and been able to have a seamless entrance.

Visiting the Palace of Versailles is definitely a luxurious experience, indulge in this iconic French landmark.

Who Lived in the Palace of Versailles? A Journey Through Royal Drama

The Palace of Versailles is a magnificent work of architecture—it’s also the setting for centuries of royal drama, intrigue, and the opulence of France's monarchs. The palace, has seen its fair share of grand entrances and grand exits. But who exactly lived in this palace that still dazzles the world today?

Louis XIV – The Sun King Who Made Versailles Shine

Let’s begin with the king who started it all: Louis XIV, the Sun King. This charismatic ruler wasn’t content with just ruling France—he wanted to own the stage. Louis XIV decided to leave behind the cramped and chaotic streets of Paris and build a palace that would make every other royal residence small in comparison. Versailles was born from this ambition. Louis moved his court here in 1682, making it the center of political power in France for over a century.

Why the Sun King? Well, Louis saw himself as the center of the universe, much like the sun is the center of the solar system. His self-aggrandizing symbolism was everywhere, from the sun motifs in the décor to the grand Hall of Mirrors, where he would receive foreign dignitaries. Versailles became the embodiment of his personal power.

Louis XV – The King Who Preferred Parties to Politics

Next up is Louis XV, the great-grandson of Louis XIV. He inherited the throne as a young child and had a somewhat more relaxed approach to ruling. Though his reign lasted from 1715 to 1774, much of his time at Versailles was spent indulging in luxurious living, grand balls, and courtly affairs rather than focusing on political matters.

Louis XV is remembered for his personal scandals. Versailles under Louis XV was often a stage for extravagance, as the king surrounded himself with lavish court life, while the undercurrents of discontent were beginning to stir outside the palace walls.

Marie Antoinette – The Queen Who Wanted to Escape It All

Now, let’s talk about the infamous Marie Antoinette—the queen who became the face of royal excess, and who had a rather complex relationship with Versailles. When she married Louis XVI in 1770, Marie Antoinette moved into the Queen’s Apartments and quickly became a target for public criticism, mostly due to her fondness for fashion, extravagant parties, and the growing dissatisfaction with the French monarchy.

But despite her extravagance, Marie Antoinette was also misunderstood. She spent much of her time at the Petit Trianon, a more private residence within the Versailles grounds, where she could escape the rigid court life and live more simply. The queen even created a mini-village where she could pretend to be a shepherdess. While this might seem like an idyllic escape, it didn't exactly help her image as the country’s finances were crumbling.

Her infamous declaration, "Let them eat cake," might not have been true, but her lavish lifestyle certainly became to be seen on a very negative light. The palace that was once a symbol of royal power became a symbol of everything wrong with the monarchy in the eyes of the people.

Louis XVI – The Reluctant King

Then there was Louis XVI, the king who came to the throne after Louis XV and was the most tragic figure in Versailles’ history. Louis XVI wasn’t interested in grandiose displays of power or fashion. He had a more introverted approach, and spent much of his time at Versailles enjoying quieter pursuits.

But his inability to manage the financial crisis over France, and with growing discontent from the people, the palace became a place of escapism instead of the once center of the French monarchy’s. In 1789, the royal family was forced to leave Versailles, and later, Louis XVI was executed to technically end with the throne.

Discovering Versailles

Ah, Versailles—the epitome of French grandeur and opulence! If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping back in time and experiencing the lavish lifestyle of French royalty in every single space, this is the place for you. However, it actually had a rather humble beginning. It all started with Louis XIII, who, in the early 1600s, decided he needed a quiet retreat to escape the hustle and bustle of the royal court. Enter: Versailles, a small hunting lodge set amidst the lush forests of the Île-de-France. At the time, it was just a modest little outpost, far removed from the grandeur we know today.

Fast forward to Louis XIV, or as he liked to call himself, the Sun King. When he ascended to the throne in the mid-1600s, he took one look at Versailles, already a favorite getaway for his father, and saw potential. Louis XIV envisioned something far grander than a mere hunting lodge; he dreamed of creating a palace that would become the center of French power, a monument to his absolute reign, and a stage for royal spectacle.

In 1661, Louis XIV decided to expand Versailles into a full-fledged palace. He brought in the best architects, artists, and landscapers of the time—most famously André Le Nôtre, the garden genius who designed the magnificent gardens, and Louis Le Vau, who worked on the architectural plans. What started as a modest lodge quickly grew into a massive construction project that took several decades to complete.

By 1682, Louis XIV had moved the royal court to Versailles full-time, effectively making it the seat of French political life. It wasn’t just about the king’s family anymore—Versailles became the epicenter of court life, home to nobles, diplomats, and thousands of servants. Imagine over 10,000 people living in the palace at any given time, each vying for the king’s favor or trying to navigate the strict and often dramatic etiquette that governed life at court.

But the lavishness of Versailles wasn’t just about drama—it was about control. Louis XIV wanted to keep the nobility under his thumb, so he lured them into Versailles, where they would have to live in close quarters with him. By surrounding the aristocracy with the grandeur and opulence of Versailles, he made sure they were both impressed and kept busy, leaving them with little time or inclination for plotting against him. Brilliant, right?

But as the decades passed and Louis XIV’s reign ended, the once-unstoppable splendor of Versailles started to fade. The revolution was brewing, and the French Revolution of 1789 put an end to the monarchy’s days of absolute power. The royal family was forced to leave Versailles, and it would never again return to its former glory.

After the fall of the monarchy, Versailles underwent a significant transformation. It became a museum of the history of France, a space where the nation could come to reflect on its royal past.

While the Palace of Versailles actually has 2,300 rooms —yup, that’s right— and around 500 points of interest for visitors. I’m going to focus on just a handful of my personal favorites:

The Royal Chapel

You are immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of grandeur. This architectural masterpiece, with its vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, and stained glass windows, is a stunning testament to the divine right of kings. The chapel was designed by the great architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart and completed during the reign of Louis XIV, a monarch who was as dedicated to his spiritual duties as he was to his political ones.

The opulence of the chapel is a clear reflection of Louis XIV’s desire to showcase both his power and his devotion to God. The majestic altar, bathed in soft golden light, is flanked by soaring columns and adorned with religious imagery. The ceiling itself is a breathtaking canvas, painted with scenes of celestial glory and divine intervention, creating the illusion that the heavens themselves are descending into the chapel.

The King’s State Apartments (Appartements du Roi)

The King’s State Apartments at Versailles, with their seven rooms, stand as a magnificent testament to Louis XIV's reign, connecting king to the divine and showcasing the symbolism of his power. They were designed not only for the personal use of the king but also to emphasize his absolute power and divine right to rule. The apartments were a public stage for royal rituals, state ceremonies, and diplomatic events.

Hercules Room

Adorned with grand frescoes that depict the labors of the mighty Hercules, this room was designed to celebrate both the physical prowess and divine favor of the legendary hero. With its gilded moldings and dramatic murals, it evokes a sense of triumph and power, transporting you to a time when gods and mortals mingled in the pursuit of glory.

The Room of Abundance

True to its name, the Room of Abundance is nothing short of a visual banquet. Decorated with sumptuous scenes of overflowing harvests and bountiful treasures, this room celebrates nature’s gifts in all their glory. You can almost smell the fruits, flowers, and grain that seem to leap from the walls. The room exudes a feeling of opulence—an homage to the prosperity that Versailles represented during the reign of Louis XIV.

The Venus Room

Enter the Venus Room, where romance and beauty reign supreme. With its soft pastel hues and delicate depictions of Venus, the goddess of love, this space feels like stepping into a dream. The Venus Room is an ode to love’s divine power. The room’s elegance invites you to linger, savoring the timeless connection between beauty, love, and grace.

The Diana Room

It celebrates the hunt and the goddess who rules over the moon and wild animals. With scenes of Diana, the goddess of the hunt, accompanied by her loyal nymphs and hounds, the room pulses with a sense of untamed nature. The artwork is as graceful as it is fierce, capturing the balance between elegance and strength in a way only Versailles could manage.

The Mars Room

Powerful and bold, the Mars Room is a tribute to war and military prowess, dedicated to Mars, the god of war. Filled with dramatic depictions of battle and victory, the room is a reminder of the martial strength that was central to the kingdom’s pride. The deep red tones and the heroic imagery on the walls invite you to feel the rush of a battlefield.

The Mercury Room

Named after the Roman god of communication, the Mercury Room is a celebration of movement, eloquence, and the art of discourse. It’s a room that hums with energy, just like the mythological messenger it honors.

The Apollo Room

No room in Versailles is more closely tied to Louis XIV than the Apollo Room. The centerpiece is an exquisite fresco portraying the Sun King, with rays of light symbolizing the monarch’s divine right to rule. Richly adorned in gold, the room practically glows with royal authority.

The Salon of War (Salon de la Guerre)

Imagine walking into a room where every detail screams royalty: golden walls, sumptuous tapestries, and a ceiling fresco that depicts the king’s military victories. Louis XIV, was obsessed with projecting his power and military might, and the Salon de la Guerre was his grand statement of strength and glory. This was the place where he would receive ambassadors and military leaders, creating an atmosphere charged with political and military tension, all while surrounded by fine art and opulence.

The room was originally designed to celebrate Louis XIV’s military prowess. It faces its counterpart, the Salon de la Paix (Room of Peace), creating a visual dialogue between the triumph of war and the peace that followed. These two rooms together represent the king's belief in balance—but also his desire to remind everyone that, in his world, peace was only possible because of his ability to conquer.

The King’s Chamber

his room was more than just where Louis XIV or any of the other kings slept. The room itself is magnificent, with its rich gold decor, opulent tapestries, and lavish furniture

The king’s daily routine, known as the "lever" (rising ceremony) and the "coucher" (bedtime ceremony), was a grand spectacle —just imagine a 17th-century version of reality show, but with way more gowns and wigs. Everyone had their role to play, and if you wanted to be close to power, you had to secure a place at court—which meant endless hours of watching the king and attending balls.

The Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces)

Arguably the most famous room in all of Versailles, the Hall of Mirrors is a true masterpiece that radiates grandeur and magnificence. This extraordinary hall is adorned with 357 mirrors, designed to reflect the light from the enormous chandeliers that dangle from the ceiling like glittering jewels. The hall is flooded with natural light from the windows that offer sweeping views of the Palace Gardens.

Originally conceived by Louis XIV, the Hall was a statement of his absolute power. With its opulent design and scale, it was meant to be a dramatic display of the king’s authority and the splendor of his reign. The mirrors themselves were a symbol of Versailles’ wealth, as they were considered a luxury in the 17th century and were imported from Venice.

But beyond its beauty, the Hall of Mirrors also played a pivotal role in shaping French history. The hall was the setting for royal ceremonies, state banquets, and diplomatic events, all aimed at showcasing the might of the French monarchy to both courtiers and foreign dignitaries. Its sheer size and elegance left visitors in awe, reinforcing the grand image of Louis XIV.

The Salon of Peace (Salon de la Paix)

This space, located on the opposite side of the Hall of Mirrors from the Salon de la Guerre, was designed as a tribute to Louis XIV’s peace-making and diplomatic success. The juxtaposition of these two rooms reflects the king’s belief that true power came from both military conquest and the ability to establish lasting peace. Where the Salon de la Guerre celebrates the thunder of battle, the Salon de la Paix whispers the quiet strength of diplomacy.

The Queen’s State Apartments (Appartements de la Reine)

The Queen’s Apartments are equally impressive as the King’s, though they are more delicate and personal. These rooms are a reflection of royal femininity, with soft colors and elegant decorations. They were used by the queen to hold private audiences and to entertain select guests. The Queen’s bedchamber is a particularly fascinating spot, where the queen’s "ceremonial rising" took place—an elaborate daily event where the court gathered to witness the queen’s waking.

The Trianon Palaces

The Trianon Palaces—they're the perfect example of Versailles in its most intimate and personal form. While the grand Palace of Versailles dazzled with its splendor and ceremony, the Trianon Palaces (the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon) served as retreats, offering a more private and relaxed atmosphere for the royal family. Think of them as the royal getaway spots—somewhere to escape the overwhelming pomp of Versailles and find a little peace amidst nature and simpler surroundings —even though you can actually walk to these spaces from the palace.

The Grand Trianon

The Grand Trianon was the first of the Trianon Palaces, and it was built by Louis XIV in 1687 as a place to escape from the rigid formality of the main palace. It’s often referred to as a "palace within a palace" because it’s beautifully secluded but still absolutely opulent. The Grand Trianon was designed to be more relaxed and comfortable than the massive, ceremonial rooms of Versailles, with stunning neoclassical architecture and an expansive terrace overlooking the gardens.

The Petit Trianon

The Petit Trianon, on the other hand, has a more romantic and intimate feel and is most famously associated with Marie Antoinette. Louis XVI gave it to her in 1774, and she transformed it into a charming, more personal space, far removed from the grandeur of the court.

Marie Antoinette took a particular interest in the design and landscaping of the Petit Trianon, turning the surrounding gardens into a picturesque, almost idyllic countryside. She even had a small village built nearby, called the Hameau de la Reine (the Queen's Hamlet), where she would pretend to be a peasant, playing at farm life with her ladies-in-waiting. It was her escape from royal responsibilities, and she adored the more natural, rustic lifestyle that the Petit Trianon offered.

Inside, the Petit Trianon was more modest than Versailles, with delicate neoclassical interiors that emphasized simplicity and elegance over opulence. The marble statues, frescoed ceilings, and light-filled rooms gave it a soft, feminine atmosphere that made it the perfect place for Marie Antoinette to relax and enjoy some quiet moments away from the royal court.

Palace Gardens

Designed by André Le Nôtre, these grounds stretch over 800 hectares (about 2,000 acres) of land—it’s the size of a small city. And every inch is a work of art. The layout follows a strict geometric pattern, with perfectly aligned paths, symmetrical hedges, and fountains that sparkle in the sunlight.

The gardens are organized into a series of stunning parterre gardens, dramatic water features, and peaceful groves. Each garden section has a unique feel—there’s something for everyone, from grandiosity to tranquility. The Grand Canal, for example, is one of the largest fountains in Europe, and it’s where Louis XIV used to indulge his love of boating—because of course, a royal canal is just another part of the grandeur.

Inside Versailles —opulence, art, and controversy.