aerial view of Palace of Versailles
the length of Hall of Mirrors
the vibrant red Mercury Salon
the Royal Opera House from the stage
Hercules Salon
the Council Study
the inside of the Orangery
The Orangery from the air
aerial view of Latona Fountain
the floral Queen's Bedchamber
Madame Victoire's Bedchamber
the Royal Chapel from the first floor
a corridor overlooking Stag Courtyard
the Diana Salon
the royal dining room
the green bedchamber of the Mistresses' Apartments
the library in the Mistresses' Apartments
the Queen's Library
the pink Grand Cabinet
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Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King due to his emblem of Apollo, built the luxurious property along an east-west axis to follow the rising sun.
Photograph courtesy Thomas Garnier, EPV in collaboration with Skydrone

Best Kept Secrets of Versailles

Get an unprecedented look inside France’s remarkable royal château.

ByKarina Sharma
July 18, 2017

Although a monarch hasn't lived in the Palace of Versailles since the French Revolution, this UNESCO World Heritage site remains a testament to five centuries of France's rich history. In 1682, Louis XIV transformed his father's hunting pavilion into the nation's center of government. The decadent palace has since been converted into a museum attracting more than three million visitors each year. Located in the countryside, 40 minutes from Paris, the opulent 17th-century château boasts 2,300 rooms across 75,532 square yards—the equivalent of about 15 and a half football fields.

However, there's more to the grounds than the extravagant royal residence and its enchanting gardens. The grandeur lies in the subtle accents and little-known history scattered throughout the estate. Uncover secret passageways and unique perspectives of the Sun King's powerful estate with these never before seen glimpses into the historic epicenter of French royalty.

Versailles: The Great and Hidden Splendors of the Sun King's Palace by Catherine Pégard will be published in September 2017 by Vendome.

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