Unique, magical and prestigious; the Palace of Versailles

A trip to the Palace of Versailles, easily accessible by public transport, is a must during a stay in Paris. A former residence of French royalty, an architectural wonder and a listed UNESCO World Heritage site, this majestic and opulent château invites you to enter the private world of the Sun King. The events presented at Versailles include the Night Fountains Show and the Royal Serenade in the Hall of Mirrors every Saturday evening in summer from June 15th to September 21st, 2019!

The Palace of Versailles; enter the private world of the Sun King

A former hunting lodge of Louis XIII, the Palace of Versailles is a magnificent historic monument that was developed and enlarged during the reign of Louis XIV, who had his court installed there in 1682. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful architectural achievements in France; a building that celebrates the greatness of a kingdom and the glory of a monarch in a constant quest for prestige.

Follow the audio guide route that takes you through the most beautiful parts of the palace. You’ll visit the salons, the royal apartments and, of course, the famous Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors) created by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Don’t miss your ‘invite’ to the King's table, set in the antechamber of the Grand Couvert.

Continue your visit in the gardens designed by the landscape architect André Le Nôtre during the reign of Louis XIV. Stroll freely along the paths amidst the lawns and flowerbeds and by the Grand Canal and admire the many works of art (statues, fountains, pools, etc.) spread throughout the park. Don’t miss the other buildings such as the Petit Trianon, the Temple of Love, and the Hamlet of Queen Marie Antoinette. Every weekend you can enjoy the Musical Fountains Show, a magnificent spectacle during which the water of the pools and fountains dances to the sound of music.

The Night Fountains Show and the Royal Serenade in the Hall of Mirrors

Every weekend from June to September, the gardens of the Palace of Versailles are transformed at night for about 2½ hours during the Grandes Eaux Nocturnes (Night Fountains Show) as fountains such as the Neptune, the largest in the gardens, send their cascades of sparkling water into the night air to the sound of baroque musical works, illuminated by colourful and dramatic lighting effects. The show ends in stunning style as the multihued magnificence of a grand fireworks display spreads its fiery hues over the gardens and the central aisle known as the Grande Perspective to create a spectacle reminiscent of those that would have been enjoyed during the heyday of French royalty.

Just before the Night Fountains Show you can see the Royal Serenade in the Hall of Mirrors as musicians and dancers in superb period costumes perform for your pleasure in the Grand Apartments and bring to vivid life scenes from the 17th century court of the Sun King.

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More information:

- The Palace of Versailles 

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