Discover Versailles by hire car

Versailles, with 90,000 inhabitants in an area of just over 26 square kilometres, is a medium-sized city near Paris in the heart of France. However, the independent city can almost be considered a suburb of the French capital. Those who can afford it work in Paris but live in Versailles.

It is not its proximity to the capital that has made Versailles famous, however, but the famous palace of the same name, built in the 17th century by Louis IV. The legendary Sun King had it built out of envy of Fouquet, who had a more beautiful residence with his palace Vaux-le-Vicomte, in Piedmont. But first he had Fouquet imprisoned. How could he have committed the sacrilege of scratching the King’s splendour? Without further ado, he hired the sacrilegious man’s builders, and over the next 30 years the Palace of Versailles was built, which to this day is a symbol of centralism and absolutism in France.

To the west of the phenomenal structure, the garden opens onto three alles, also radiating, which formed the basis of the present-day city of Versailles. Following a regular grid, other spacious squares were laid out around the palace. Later, this urban structure of Versailles was used as a model for cities like Washington or Rastatt. After the First World War, the momentous ‘Versailles Treaties’ were signed here.

When staying in this enchanting place, one should definitely not neglect to take a hire car. Not only does it make trips to Paris easier, but it also makes the Euro Disney amusement park, the only one of its kind in Europe, easy to reach. A worthwhile destination, not only for children.

Sights in Versailles

Tourists from all over the world flock to Versailles to visit the palace that King Louis the XIV had built there. Originally, a small hunting lodge stood here, built between 1631 and 1634 by order of Louis XIII. Sun King Louis XIV then had it expanded so much from 1671 to 1710 that it could accommodate up to 5,000 people.

The façade of the castle appears quite austere, the more splendid it is inside. In the “Galerie des Batailles” you can marvel at huge war paintings documenting key events in French history. In the Salle du Sacre hangs a detailed coronation painting of the former French emperor Napoleon I

Stroll through sumptuous rooms with noteworthy ceiling paintings when you visit the Grands Appartements de la Reine, where Queen Maria Theresa held court in the 17th century. Breathtaking is the Hall of Mirrors, which you could visit afterwards. It is 73 metres long, ten metres wide and twelve metres high. Each of the 17 mirror arches has 18 segments. Thus, a total of 306 mirror elements create a bewildering optical illusion that makes the hall appear much larger. The magnificent ceiling paintings, which document the reign of Louis XIV, also deserve attention.

There seems to be no end to the number of stately rooms in the château. You’re best advised to use the audio guide you get with your ticket so you don’t miss any of the details or make a conscious choice. From April to October, the castle is open every day except Monday from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm. From November to March, you can visit it from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm every day except Monday.

A ticket costs 15 euros. After the long and therefore exhausting tour of the palace, you will be happy to stroll through the large park. There are ornate flower borders, small canals and magnificent fountains everywhere. You can also rent a rowing boat in the park and sail along the canals – a very romantic experience.