Palace of Versailles
Castle · Versailles
Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France
Highlights
Gilded apartments, Hall of Mirrors & stunning manicured gardens
Gilded apartments, Hall of Mirrors & stunning manicured gardens
"A sprawling royal palace and grounds accessible via the Paris Museum Pass, offering grand state rooms and expansive gardens that reward an early start or a dedicated day trip to avoid peak crowds." - Lane Nieset Lane Nieset Lane Nieset is a travel writer from Miami who has lived in France for the past decade. From Paris, she covers a mix of lifestyle, wine, food, and design for publications including Food & Wine, Condé Nast Traveler, Vogue, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"In the ‘70s, Versailles was the spot for Cubans exiles to network with a Fanjul brother. The place hasn’t stopped buzzing since. The Cuban restaurant’s superpower is its mirrors. They’re on every wall, so you can bat your eyes at every fulanito and catch your business partner meeting with a competitor from across the room. But the real action is at Versailles’ ventanita, where caballeros in crispy guayaberas share coladas (and Pepito jokes) with politicians mired in scandal. Panama hats for tourists; una guayabera para papi" - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino, julia malave
"This mind-blowing historic marvel is one of France's most opulent jewels, and is crucial to understanding the country's history and a very specific moment of leadership. A 17th century Château and estate that spans over 800 hectares (1,977 acres), The Sun King's grand creation is open for visits year-round and includes bedrooms, the King's state apartments, the Hall of Mirrors, and some 2,300 rooms in total. Annual summer exhibitions highlight the works of prominent contemporary artists like Jeff Koons, Anish Kapoor, and Olafur Eliasson, whose art is displayed in the sprawling gardens. The old and new come together beautifully, a nod to its initial mission to support artistic creations." - Lindsey Tramuta, Mary Winston Nicklin
"A 17th‑century royal residence closely associated with the reigns of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, this UNESCO‑designated palace is both a major museum and, uniquely for 2024, an Olympic host venue. The estate’s longstanding equestrian heritage—originating when stables for hundreds of horses were built in 1682—makes it a fitting setting for dressage and show jumping in a temporary outdoor arena on the Etoile Royale esplanade; cross‑country events will run along the banks of the Grand Canal, and the grounds will host modern pentathlon disciplines. The institution is staging a slate of cultural programs tied to sport and the arts, including a sprawling “Majestic Horses at the Heart of Civilization” exhibition (July 2–Nov 3) that extends into flagship spaces such as the Hall of Mirrors and the King’s State Apartment, plus themed guided tours like Versailles, Games, and Sports; Dancing at Court; Gods and Heroes; Versailles by Horse or by Carriage; and Horses in Art." - Nicholas DeRenzo, Michelle Baran
"An opulent royal palace famed for the Hall of Mirrors, Marie Antoinette’s Petit Trianon and hamlet, expansive lawns and the Grand Canal ideal for picnics, and a rotating slate of temporary gallery exhibitions (examples cited include major retrospectives in rooms such as the Queen’s Guard Room and the Africa and Crimea Rooms); it is a major day‑trip destination easily reached from Paris by the RER C." - Sara Lieberman
