We have all heard about grand and magnificent Palace of Versailles located in the Île-de-France region. This Monument historique and UNESCO World Heritage site is placed about 20 kilometres (or about 45 minutes driving distance) southwest from the centre of Paris and has been leaving people breathless for centuries with its opulent Hall of Mirrors, the State apartments of the King, Private apartments of the King and Queen as well as the Royal Gardens. Besides the Versailles, you can also visit Grand Canal de Versailles, Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet and Petit Trianon which are all located in the relative vicinity of 45 minutes walking distance, mostly through the outstanding gardens of Versailles.
The beginning of this architectural wonder was modest. Starting with Henry IV, the founder of the Bourbon dynasty, who liked hunting in forests of Versailles and who created a tradition of visiting the place. Later, his son, Louis XIII bought a piece of land where he built a two-story hunting lodge on the site of the current marble courtyard and only a couple of years later he decided to build a château. The Palace was later rebuilt, embellished, enlarged and thus transformed into a setting for both rest and elaborate entertainments on a grand scale by the orders of the Sun King, Louis XIV, who officially moved there in 1682. Since the Versailles opened its gates until the French Revolution, it was the place where the destiny of Europe and the world was shaped, where fashion trends were set and where careers were built and destroyed.
Being the place the most unbelievable stories and legends were told of and with its magnificent look worth of French royalty, Versailles is one of the must-visit places in France. After a morning exploration of Paris, why shouldn’t you spare a couple of hours to enjoy the view on this ornate palace and gardens beautifully designed by André Le Nôtre? Or if you are willing to escape the hustle of the capital for a day, you could extend your trip to Versailles for couple of hours and visit the village of Giverny nearby. Allow yourself to dive into the 17th century and enjoy your time on the most important court of Europe.