Published: August 9, 2017
Also available in:

The Palace of Versailles ⚜

Photos of the Palace of Versailles, its gardens and Marie Antoinette’s Petit Trianon.

The Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles - Versailles, France The Palace of Versailles, which began as a small lodge for Louis XIII in the middle of the forest for hunting and other types of activities, later became the official royal residence under Louis XIV. Nowadays it is a museum with more than 60,000 works of art, which have captured a significant period in the history of France.

The Palace of Versailles from the Royal Courtyard

The Palace of Versailles from the Royal Courtyard - Versailles, France

Royal Gate and north wing of the Palace of Versailles

Royal Gate and north wing of the Palace of Versailles - Versailles, France The Royal Gate, on the left, separates the Royal Courtyard from the "Cour d’Honneur" (Honor Courtyard). Behind the gate, a corner of the Palace’s North Wing can be seen, corresponding to the façade of the Gabriel Pavilion, commissioned by Louis XV and began by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, with the dedicatory "A toutes les gloires de la France" (To all the glories of France), and behind it stands the Royal Chapel, built in 1710. The statue next to the Royal Gate is entitled "La Paix" (Peace), and is a 1683 work by Jean-Baptiste Tuby, which personifies Peace as a woman holding a caduceus with wings and intertwined serpents in her left hand, and what appears to be a war trumpet pointing downwards on her right hand.

Detail of the Grille d'Honneur

Detail of the Grille d'Honneur - Versailles, France This gate in the main entrance, known as the "Grille d’Honneur," separates the Place d’Armes from the Cour d’Honneur. You can see an alternative representation of the Royal Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of France under the House of Bourbon, with the crown of France on the crest, and a shield with only three fleurs-de-lis, which in heraldry relates to the "Modern France" from 1376. The scallop shells are a symbol frequently used in the collars of the Order of Saint Michael since its foundation by King Louis XI. Below, the medallion of the Order of Saint Michael and the cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit with the descending dove. On the sides, horns of plenty, or cornucopias, have been added with pineapples and other fruits, as well as the laurel leaves instead of the wings of the angels that were part of the original coat of arms. The letter H symbolizes the initial of the founder of the order of the Holy Spirit, Henryk Walezy, King of Poland, also known as Henry III of France; and the H alternates with the fleur-de-lis, as in the collar of the Order.

Equestrian statue of Louis XIV, King of France and Navarre

Equestrian statue of Louis XIV, King of France and Navarre - Versailles, France Statue of King Louis XIV, who commissioned the expansion of the original structure of the Palace of Versailles, began by his predecessor, Louis XIII. The bronze statue is located in the Place d’Armes of the palace.

North-west façade of the Palace of Versailles

North-west façade of the Palace of Versailles - Versailles, France A photo of the palace from the north pond near the entrance to the gardens. On the first floor (second floor [US]), the reflection of some mirrors gives away the position of the Hall of Mirrors, whose interior can be seen in subsequent photos.

Detail of the façade of the Palace of Versailles from the Marble Courtyard

Detail of the façade of the Palace of Versailles from the Marble Courtyard - Versailles, France In the clock you can see a solar symbol. Louis XIV was known as the "Sun King". In the Palace of Versailles you can notice some common elements with the designs prevalent in Florence, such as the three fleurs-de-lis in the Medici coat of arms, an element granted by Louis XI. Next to the giant on the right, there is a lion stepping on an orb, which the Medici also placed in various parts of Florence, such as on the façade of the Palazzo Vecchio, where you can also see the solar symbol next to the lions. The relation is more than artistic, since Louis XIII, owner of the incipient Palace of Versailles, was the son of Marie de’ Medici and Henry IV of France, one of the many ties between the House of Medici and the House of Bourbon.

1830 Room

Ceiling of the 1830 Room in the Palace of Versailles - Versailles, France Ceiling of the 1830 Room in the Palace of Versailles

Detail of the Mercury Room ceiling

Detail of the Mercury Room ceiling - Versailles, France The ceiling decoration from 1781 was performed by the brothers Gaspard Marsy and Balthazar Marsy. In this section, angels are represented carrying cornucopias, or horns of plenty, and branches of laurel, for which the Marsy brothers used stucco covered by gold leaf. Despite the angle of the photo you can still appreciate how the branches project from the ceiling forming arches, a particularly difficult task in stucco.

Busts in the Gallery of Great Battles

Busts in the Gallery of Great Battles - Versailles, France Busts of "Pierre-Claude Berbier du Metz" on the left, and "Jacques, Marquis of Castelnau, Marshal of France" on the right, with the cross of the Order of the Holy Spirit, in the Gallery of Great Battles, in the South Wing of the Palace of Versailles.

Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles

Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles - Versailles, France Photo of the two levels of the chapel; on the lower level you can see the altar and arcades, and on the upper tribune, between the Corinthian columns, the 1710 organ engraved with a depiction of King David, which Mozart himself played in his visit to Versailles in 1764. In this chapel it was also celebrated the marriage of Marie Antoinette of Austria and Louis-Auguste of Bourbon, Dauphin of France, and future Louis XVI. The chapel is a work of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the same architect who designed the Hall of Mirrors, which can be seen in other photos.

Royal Chapel ceiling

Royal Chapel ceiling - Versailles, France The scene depicted on the ceiling, in the central part of the chapel, is known as "Dieu le Père dans sa gloire" (God the Father in his Glory), and is a work by Antoine Coypel. On the right, the cornice and architrave of the Royal Tribune, as elaborate as the Corinthian columns below them. The architect, Hardouin-Mansart, avoided employing transverse ribs in the structure so as to be able to present the full scene on the ceiling without divisions.

Madame Victoire's library

Madame Victoire's library - Versailles, France One of the 18th-century armchairs proceeding from Marie Antoinette’s cabinet in the Castle of Choisy, transferred to Versailles in 1788.

The Gallery of Great Battles

The Gallery of Great Battles - Versailles, France This gallery in the South Wing of the palace contains paintings spanning through 14 centuries of the military history of France, as well as busts of personalities who took part in the battles.

The Gallery of Great Battles, photo 2

The Gallery of Great Battles, photo 2 - Versailles, France

Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles

Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles - Versailles, France One of the purposes of this 1684 hall, apart from the restructuring due to practical considerations, was to celebrate France’s artistic, political and economic successes.

A corner of the Hall of Mirrors

A corner of the Hall of Mirrors - Versailles, France A corner dedicated to art, with a depiction of a lyre with the crown of France, flanked by caducei with wings and intertwined serpents, as well as cornucopias. Below, a violin, a theater mask portraying dramatic art, and a painting palette. On the right, a book and a quill.

Candelabrum with pedestal in the Hall of Mirrors

Candelabrum with pedestal in the Hall of Mirrors - Versailles, France The Treaty of Versailles was signed in this hall to bring the First World War to an end.

Statue of Amphitrite

Statue of Amphitrite - Versailles, France Sculpture of the Greek goddess from 1652 made by Michel Anguier, which is found in the Hoquetons Salon; the Hoquetons were the police in the palace.

Bust of Louis XIV, King of France in the Diana Room

Bust of Louis XIV, King of France in the Diana Room - Versailles, France A sculpture made by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1665.

Detail of a chandelier in the Queen's antechamber

Detail of a chandelier in the Queen's antechamber - Versailles, France One of the rooms occasionally used as dining room by the royal family.

Statue in the Queen's antechamber

Statue in the Queen's antechamber - Versailles, France

Madame Adélaïde's Cabinet

Madame Adélaïde's Cabinet - Versailles, France The organ on the left is from approximately 1750 and is attributed to Nicolas Sommer.

Royal Chapel colonnade

Royal Chapel colonnade - Versailles, France Detail of the Corinthian columns on the upper level of the Royal Chapel.

Statuette of Louis XIV from 1835

Statuette of Louis XIV from 1835 - Versailles, France This is a miniature version of the previously shown statue located in the Place d’Armes.

Detail of the equestrian statue of Louis XIV

Detail of the equestrian statue of Louis XIV - Versailles, France This statuette is in the Gallery of the History of the Palace.

Detail of the Diana Room ceiling

Detail of the Diana Room ceiling - Versailles, France In the corner, next to the depiction of the crown of France, you can see the bow, arrows and other items related to the Roman goddess of the hunt.

Chandelier of the War Room

Chandelier of the War Room - Versailles, France

Council Cabinet in the King's Apartments

Council Cabinet in the King's Apartments - Versailles, France The armchair on the center dates from 1720-1725. The clock behind, which represents the Roman god Mars, is from 1754. On the sides, the porcelain and bronze jars are, on the left, the Mars’ jar from 1787; and on the right, Minerva’s jar, which is an accurate reconstitution of the original made in 1970, only the lid is the original one from 1787.

Chandelier of the Mercury Salon

Chandelier of the Mercury Salon - Versailles, France Bronze and crystal chandelier from the 18th century in the Mercury Room, part of the King’s State Apartments.

Madame Victoire's Private Chamber

Madame Victoire's Private Chamber - Versailles, France "Lit à la Turque" or Turkish bed from 1755 who supposedly belonged to Jeanne Bécu, better known as Madame du Barry; therefore its presence in this chamber seems to be a modern arrangement which would have been quite unsettling in the past, due to the disgust Madame Victoria, Marie Antoinette, and many mesdames of the court felt for Madame du Barry. The armchairs on the sides date from 1745, and the corner-piece from 1769.

Madame Adélaïde's chamber

Madame Adélaïde's chamber - Versailles, France A bed from 1775. The portrait in the background is of princess Adélaïde of France, known as Madame Adélaïde, daughter of Marie Leszczynska and Louis XV of France, and was made by Johann-Ernst Heinsius in 1785.

Madame Adélaïde's chamber, photo 2

Madame Adélaïde's chamber, photo 2 - Versailles, France Another area of Madame Adélaïde’s private quarters. The chest of drawers on the right dates from 1770. The statuettes on top of the chest of drawers are entitled "Meditation" and "Melancholy", and date from 1780.

Busts of the dukes of Longueville and Beaufort

Busts of the dukes of Longueville and Beaufort - Versailles, France On the left, the bust of "Charles-Paris d’Orléans, Duke of Longueville"; on the right, the bust of "François de Vendôme, Duke of Beaufort", in the Gallery of Great Battles.

Furniture in Madame Adélaïde's Grand Cabinet

Furniture in Madame Adélaïde's Grand Cabinet - Versailles, France A 1787 sofa proceeding from Louis XVI’s Games Room in the Palace of Saint Cloud. The tea set in front of the sofa is from 1775.

The Queen's bedchamber

The Queen's bedchamber - Versailles, France The piece of furniture next to the door is a jewelry cupboard from 1787 belonging to Queen Marie Antoinette.

Chandeliers in the Hall of Mirrors

Chandeliers in the Hall of Mirrors - Versailles, France

Detail of the Royal Chapel door

Detail of the Royal Chapel door - Versailles, France

Madame Victoire's Second Antechamber

Madame Victoire's Second Antechamber - Versailles, France The bust from 1776 depicts Louis, Dauphin of France, and was made by made by Augustin Pajou. The screen on the right dates from 1715.

Chandelier in Madame Victoire's Second Antechamber

Chandelier in Madame Victoire's Second Antechamber - Versailles, France

Statue of Bertrand du Guesclin in the North Wing of the palace

Marble statue made by Jean-Joseph Foucou at the end of the 18th century. Statue of Bertrand du Guesclin in the North Wing of the palace - Versailles, France

Chandelier and Princes' Staircase

Chandelier and Princes' Staircase - Versailles, France An area dating from the 17th century in the South Wing of the palace, near the Gallery of Great Battles.

Statue of Diana

Statue of Diana - Versailles, France Statue of the goddess in the Lower Hall of the Palace of Versailles.

The Latona Parterre

The Latona Parterre - Versailles, France Part of the Gardens of Versailles and the beginning of the Royal Way or Green Carpet in the background, which leads to the Fountain of Apollo.

Apollo in his Chariot

Apollo in his Chariot - Versailles, France Sculpture of the sun god from 1670 made by Jean-Baptiste Tuby, which emerges from the Fountain of Apollo in the Park of Versailles.

The Grand Canal in the Park of Versailles

The Grand Canal in the Park of Versailles - Versailles, France A view overlooking the area known as Green Carpet or Great Lawn, the Fountain of Apollo with Tuby’s sculpture, and the Grand Canal in the background.

Petit Trianon interior

Petit Trianon interior - Versailles, France The "Little Trianon", a neoclassical building from 1768 in the Estate of Trianon, to the north of the Grand Canal, is a work of architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel. This building is usually associated with Marie Antoinette, although it was initially built for King Louis XV as a residence immersed in the gardens and isolated from the palace. Afterwards, in 1774, his grandson and successor Louis XVI, gives the Petit Trianon to Marie Antoinette, who uses it until 1789.

Marie Antoinette at the Petit Trianon

Marie Antoinette at the Petit Trianon - Versailles, France One of the oil paintings on linen of Marie Antoinette made by the Parisian painter Elisabeth-Louise Vigée-Lebrun in 1783.

Petit Trianon Avenue

Petit Trianon Avenue - Versailles, France At the end of this street you can see the Petit Trianon building.

Petit Trianon kitchen

Petit Trianon kitchen - Versailles, France

Petit Trianon Palace reception room

Petit Trianon Palace reception room - Versailles, France Behind the tea table you can see a golden music stand from 1779, and a harp, also from the 18th century.

Mahogany pianoforte in the Petit Trianon

Mahogany pianoforte in the Petit Trianon - Versailles, France Another musical instrument in the Petit Trianon, a pianoforte from 1790 made by Pascal-Joseph Taskin.

Petit Trianon stone corridor

Petit Trianon stone corridor - Versailles, France

Livery, frock coat, front view

Livery, frock coat, front view - Versailles, France Attire on display in the Petit Trianon, corresponding to the servants who worked in the stables of the Duke of Orléans.

Servant's attire, rear view

Servant's attire, rear view - Versailles, France The colors and designs served as indicators of the servants’ position and hierarchy.

Goblet on display in the Petit Trianon

Goblet on display in the Petit Trianon - Versailles, France

Bust of Marie Antoinette in the Petit Trianon

Bust of Marie Antoinette in the Petit Trianon - Versailles, France Plaster cast bust from 1923 in the billiard room, a copy of Louis-Simon Boizot’s original sculpture.

Water Parterre

Water Parterre - Versailles, France One of the bronze statues around the north pond, dating from 1687, in the area of the Versailles gardens known as Water Parterre. On the background, the north-east façade of the Palace of Versailles.

The Park and Gardens of Versailles

The Park and Gardens of Versailles
The Park and Gardens of Versailles

Media (59)  

The Palace of Versailles - Thumbnail The Palace of Versailles The Palace of Versailles from the Royal Courtyard - Thumbnail The Palace of Versailles from the Royal Courtyard Royal Gate and north wing of the Palace of Versailles - Thumbnail Royal Gate and north wing of the Palace of Versailles Detail of the Grille d’Honneur - Thumbnail Detail of the Grille d’Honneur Equestrian statue of Louis XIV, King of France and Navarre - Thumbnail Equestrian statue of Louis XIV, King of France and Navarre North-west façade of the Palace of Versailles - Thumbnail North-west façade of the Palace of Versailles Detail of the façade of the Palace of Versailles from the Marble Courtyard - Thumbnail Detail of the façade of the Palace of Versailles from the Marble Courtyard Ceiling of the 1830 Room in the Palace of Versailles - Thumbnail Ceiling of the 1830 Room in the Palace of Versailles Detail of the Mercury Room ceiling - Thumbnail Detail of the Mercury Room ceiling Busts in the Gallery of Great Battles - Thumbnail Busts in the Gallery of Great Battles Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Royal Chapel of the Palace of Versailles Royal Chapel ceiling - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Royal Chapel ceiling Madame Victoire’s library - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Madame Victoire’s library The Gallery of Great Battles - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ The Gallery of Great Battles The Gallery of Great Battles, photo 2 - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ The Gallery of Great Battles, photo 2 Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles A corner of the Hall of Mirrors - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ A corner of the Hall of Mirrors Candelabrum with pedestal in the Hall of Mirrors - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Candelabrum with pedestal in the Hall of Mirrors Statue of Amphitrite - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Statue of Amphitrite Bust of Louis XIV, King of France in the Diana Room - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Bust of Louis XIV, King of France in the Diana Room Detail of a chandelier in the Queen’s antechamber - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Detail of a chandelier in the Queen’s antechamber Statue in the Queen’s antechamber - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Statue in the Queen’s antechamber Madame Adélaïde’s Cabinet - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Madame Adélaïde’s Cabinet Royal Chapel colonnade - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Royal Chapel colonnade Statuette of Louis XIV from 1835 - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Statuette of Louis XIV from 1835 Detail of the equestrian statue of Louis XIV - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Detail of the equestrian statue of Louis XIV Detail of the Diana Room ceiling - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Detail of the Diana Room ceiling Chandelier of the War Room - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Chandelier of the War Room Council Cabinet in the King’s Apartments - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Council Cabinet in the King’s Apartments Chandelier of the Mercury Salon - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Chandelier of the Mercury Salon Madame Victoire’s Private Chamber - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Madame Victoire’s Private Chamber Madame Adélaïde’s chamber - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Madame Adélaïde’s chamber Madame Adélaïde’s chamber, photo 2 - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Madame Adélaïde’s chamber, photo 2 Busts of the dukes of Longueville and Beaufort - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Busts of the dukes of Longueville and Beaufort Furniture in Madame Adélaïde’s Grand Cabinet - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Furniture in Madame Adélaïde’s Grand Cabinet The Queen’s bedchamber - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ The Queen’s bedchamber Chandeliers in the Hall of Mirrors - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Chandeliers in the Hall of Mirrors Detail of the Royal Chapel door - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Detail of the Royal Chapel door Madame Victoire’s Second Antechamber - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Madame Victoire’s Second Antechamber Chandelier in Madame Victoire’s Second Antechamber - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Chandelier in Madame Victoire’s Second Antechamber Statue of Bertrand du Guesclin in the North Wing of the palace - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Statue of Bertrand du Guesclin in the North Wing of the palace Chandelier and Princes’ Staircase - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Chandelier and Princes’ Staircase Statue of Diana - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Statue of Diana The Latona Parterre - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ The Latona Parterre Apollo in his Chariot - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Apollo in his Chariot The Grand Canal in the Park of Versailles - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ The Grand Canal in the Park of Versailles Petit Trianon interior - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Petit Trianon interior Marie Antoinette at the Petit Trianon - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Marie Antoinette at the Petit Trianon Petit Trianon Avenue - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Petit Trianon Avenue Petit Trianon kitchen - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Petit Trianon kitchen Petit Trianon Palace reception room - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Petit Trianon Palace reception room Mahogany pianoforte in the Petit Trianon - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Mahogany pianoforte in the Petit Trianon Petit Trianon stone corridor - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Petit Trianon stone corridor Livery, frock coat, front view - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Livery, frock coat, front view Servant’s attire, rear view - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Servant’s attire, rear view Goblet on display in the Petit Trianon - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Goblet on display in the Petit Trianon Bust of Marie Antoinette in the Petit Trianon - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Bust of Marie Antoinette in the Petit Trianon Water Parterre - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ Water Parterre The Park and Gardens of Versailles - The Palace of Versailles ⚜ The Park and Gardens of Versailles
49+