The Palace of Versailles

Although the most classical place to visit while traveling to France is the Eiffel Tower we will like to offer you another excellent choice: The Palace of Versailles. According to an international tourism webpage this wonderful place scored the 4^th place of the 10 “Most Beautiful Places in the World”

The Palace of Versailles is the most famous palace in France, not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy. This ancient building was built in 1624 in the mandate of Louis XIII; it was originally a hunting lodge. Louis XIV (Louis thirteen´s successor), expanded the place and at that time it was considered one of the largest palaces in the world!

 This might have sound really nice, however not everything was like that. Louis XIV didn´t expand the place just for France to look beautiful, on the contrary, he used the palace to control France by absolute rule. The Palace of Versailles was the official King´s residence from 1682 until October 1789 when the royal family was forced to return to Paris during the French Revolution. 

Nowadays this palace is a charming museum…..

The Fifth Republic promoted the museum as one of France´s foremost tourist attractions although it still keeps some political functions.  Heads of State, the Senate and the National Assemble meet in Hall of Mirrors in order to revise the French Constitution as a tradition that was established with the promulgation of the 1875 Constitution.  

There are different exhibitions shown in The Palace of Versailles and these are constantly changing. If you have the desire to visit the palace, expect a lot of elegance and luxury, since this was a royal residence. The price of the ticket is €15 and it includes the exhibitions and all of the most famous places such as: the Hall of Mirrors, Grand Apartments of the King and of the Queen, King's Bedchamber etc.

Because of its big size The Palace of Versailles opens certain sections on certain days:

Palace
Every day except Mondays
9 am - 6.30 pm
Last admission: 6 pm - Ticket office closes at 5.50 pm
Trianon Palaces and Marie-Antoinette's Estate
Every day except Mondays
12 pm - 6.30 pm
Last admission: 6 pm - Ticket office closes at 5.50 pm

Garden
Open every day
8 am - 8:30 pm
Park
Open every day
7 am - 7 pm for vehicles; 7 am - 8.30 pm for pedestrians

Official Webpage http://www.chateauversailles.fr/homepage