Chateau de Versailles

the one only Chateau de Versailles (Palace). When the château was built, Versailles was a country village; today, however, it is a suburb of Paris. From 1682, when King Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in 1789, the Court of Versailles was the centre of power in Ancien Régime France. Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy that Louis XIV espoused.Number of windows 2,153 Number of rooms 700 Staircases 67

Probably the most famous room is The Hall of Mirrors which is lit by 17 tall windows matched by 17 mirrors that reflect the light. This well lit hall makes the chandellers sparkle and with all the gold and colorful paintings, it's spectacular. The Hall of Mirrors was used as a passage way, each day the courtiers would wait here for the King and the royal famly in procession on the way to mass. It was also the setting for ambassadors and for state audiences. This hall is most noteable for hosting the proclamation of the German Empire on Januray 18th, 1871 and the signing of the Treaty of Versaille on June 28th 1919, which put an end to WWI.

Louis XIV (the Sun King) built Versailles to project the absolute power of the French monarchy....and it worked! Despite the layers of scaffolding covering the front of the building when we were there (2007) it still is an extremely impressive and grand building! We got there just as the water and music show was starting in the gardens (fountains timed to music from the 17th century) - Les Grand Eaux Musicales. The gardens are massive and the music made you almost slip back in time. The chateau itself is incredible. The rooms and chambers are gorgeous and so ornate. The Hall of Mirrors was definitely a highlight.

Versailles is a massive royal palace that would have to rank as one of the best in the world. It was built at the height of French powers and turned into the largest palace in the world. It is truly a palace befitting those absolute monarchs.

In addition to the size, the opulence of the palace is quite amazing and grand, while the garden make for a nice refreshing and pleasant contrast.

A definite must-see while in the Paris region. I've been there twice, and would go a third time if I went to Paris again.

Wow, this place is truly amazing. A great look into French History with all of their glamour, glory, and tragedy. Definitely go with a tour guide or the audio guide so you can get all of the information. Make sure you leave yourself enough time to wander the vast gardens. From Paris, it's an easy 30 minute subway ride.

If you were to visit Versailles you would probably go there to visit le Chateau de Versailles, in all its glory, with its beautiful landscaping, and its vast artistic treasures put on display in the castle itself. Definitely a place that can leave a lasting impression upon your cultural senses.

Wow... This is what you say when you see the chateu upfront but when you get to the back... You dont say anything, you are just baffled at the size of their backyard. The whole stroll through the many garden-walks is a feeling not easy forgotten.

Das Schloss Versailles mit seinen imposanten Parkanlagen ist wirklich eine Reise wert, auch wenn es etwas ausserhalb der Stadt liegt. Die Führung durchs Schloss ist etwas altbacken, wobei der Spiegelssal durchaus auch einen Blick wert ist.

Tal Vez 5 si sos fan de la arquitectura, La historia o los Franceses.
Maybe 5 if you're a fan of Arquitecture, History or The French.
---No vayas un Lunes, el palacio esta cerrado.
---Don't Go on Mondays, the palace is closed.

Amazing, just try not to go on a beautiful day in the middle of tourist season as it can get very busy. Definately a must visit - and you will need to spend a whole day there as the gardens are great too, especially the fountains

This is the most decadent place I have ever been. There are many things to see here, including the grande palais, the petit palais, the river, gardens, and peasant village, oh, and the infamous gazebo!

Chateau de Versailles is such a beautiful place to visit.  It's about a 30 minute train ride outside of Paris.  Try to buy your entry tickets at the train station.  The ticket lines are long at Versailles.

A must-see when in France! C'est magnifique! The gardens are beautiful! The art, the architecture, the decorating, the history! Beautiful!!

Magnifique, agréable à regarder et en plus j'ai passé mes concours dans le parc, ce qui en fait un environnement sympa lors de ces moments importants.

Amazing palace with beautiful gardens. The level of riches makes you understand the rising anger which lead to the French Revolution a bit better!

Amazing gardens! I found a beautiful place for a picnic. be sure to spend at least one day in the gardens alone, and another for the palace itself.

Amazing palace and gardens deffinetly worth a visit if you are in or around the paris area. Leave a day to properly see everything.

apparently Marie Antoinette is buried somewhere in the gardens... didn't get to see it cos it was piddling down

The chateau is magnificent beautiful... imagine people who were living there during that period...

Great place - Garrdens are amazing and its possible to rent boats. Bring food and wine

beautiful castle, take a full-day to visit it, and if you can, a guide

On a warm day with a little breeze in the air the gardens were amazing

Gorgeous palace, lovely huge gardens. Nice place to spend a day. =)

Amazing! Completely breathtaking! It was huge and very...gold!

The most powerful people in France lived there; worth visiting.

A huge palace and the biggest garden i have ever seen.

amazing castle. very big. pretty gardens. =]

BEAUTIFUL.. doen die gardens met n golf cart!

Beautiful place and the garden is huge. :)

True kitsch but a must-see!

The best thing about Paris!

Amazing, elegant architecture

this place is awesome