Palace of Versailles

Located just outside Paris, the Palace of Versailles stands as the ultimate symbol of absolute monarchy and French Baroque architecture. Originally a modest hunting lodge, Louis XIV transformed it into Europe’s most magnificent royal residence, moving his court here in 1682 to centralize political power.

The palace’s Hall of Mirrors represents its crowning achievement – a 73-meter-long gallery with 357 mirrors facing arched windows overlooking the gardens. The King’s Grand Apartments dazzle with gilded decoration, while the Queen’s Hamlet reveals Marie Antoinette’s rustic retreat. The estate stretches across 800 hectares including the geometrically perfect Gardens of Versailles, featuring 400 sculptures, 1,400 fountains, and the Grand Canal.

Versailles witnessed pivotal historical events, including the 1789 signing of the Treaty of Versailles ending WWI in the same Hall of Mirrors where German unification was proclaimed in 1871. Today, the palace preserves its lavish interiors while hosting contemporary art installations that dialogue with its historic spaces.