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Versailles is, without a doubt, one of the most breathtaking places to visit in France. It is a must-see experience when in Paris, since it is so close. We took a short bus ride from Paris to Versailles, but it is also easily reachable by train. Plan to spend the entire day there as there is so much to take in.

The Entrance to the Chateau: the Parade Ground, the Royal Railings and Grille d’Honneur

Upon arrival at Versailles, the Entrance to the Chateau is very ornate with stone sculptures and gilded wrought iron gates. We visited Versailles years ago, in September, and it was a lovely time to visit. We purchased the audio guide along with our tickets and found it very informative. There are many rooms and levels to get through and it’s probably an ambitious undertaking to do in one day. After the visit, however, we received a thank you email from the Palace of Versailles with links to more resources about Versailles, which was very nice, since it only enhanced our visit.

Louis XIV – The Sun King (1638-1715)

When walking through the palace, you will learn about the many Kings of France, including Louis XIV. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, was born to Louis XIII and Anne of Austria in 1638. In 1643, at the very young age of five, Louis XIV became the King of France. In the portrait below by Hyacinthe Riguad, Louis XIV is wearing his coronation robes. Louis XIV spent much of his life at Versailles, expanded it greatly, and died there in 1715. Also, pictured below is a statue of Louis XIV in the Venus room.

The Hall of Mirrors

Probably the most famous room at Versailles is the Hall of Mirrors. It’s truly amazing and awe inspiring. There are 17 arched windows on one side. Across from each of the windows on the opposite side of the room are 17 mirrors. Throughout the room is marble, chandeliers, exquisite paintings on the ceiling, statues — utterly a room that takes your breath away. There’s a short video clip of the Hall of Mirrors directly below.

Photo of Hall of Mirrors, Versailles. There are 17 arched windows on one side, pictured here. Across from each of the windows on the opposite side of the room are 17 mirrors.

Pictured below in the slide show are a sampling of various rooms we visited, including the Room of Abundance, the Nobles room and the Antechamber of the Great Dining Hall.

The Water Garden

You will find the Water Garden (or Water Parterre), when walking outside the palace very far down on the garden side. There are many beautiful bronze sculptures you will see, including the Loiret, pictured below, which represents the Loire river.

Photo of The Loiret, Thomas Regnaudin & Jean Balthasar Keller (1685-90). Photo taken at Versailles in the Water Garden.

The Orangery Garden, the Hundred Steps and the Swiss Pool

While we visited Versailles on two separate occasions, we still didn’t get to see all of its beauty and are definitely looking forward to going back yet again.