Versailles Palace

The Palace of Versailles was originally a humble hunting lodge built by King Louis XIII. His son, King Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, massively expanded it starting in 1661 to establish his royal court outside of Paris. Louis XIV officially moved the French government and nobility to Versailles in 1682.

The Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces) is arguably the most iconic room, featuring 357 mirrors facing arched windows overlooking the gardens. Other famous spaces include the King's Grand Apartment and the opulent Royal Opera House. It was in the Hall of Mirrors that the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, ending World War I.

The Gardens of Versailles are sprawling, covering approximately 800 hectares (about 2,000 acres) of meticulously landscaped grounds. Designed by André Le Nôtre, the gardens feature over 50 spectacular fountains and hundreds of statues. The fountains operate using a complex, historic hydraulic system built during Louis XIV's reign.

The royal family was forced to flee Versailles during the French Revolution. On October 6, 1789, a mob of angry Parisians—largely composed of working-class women—marched on the palace. They demanded that King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette return with them to Paris, effectively ending Versailles's era as the seat of royal power.