This post is part of our Europe travel series. If you missed the beginning, you could catch up
here. In the previous post, I shared the 1st day of our Paris memories, you can read that
here.
The Palace of Versailles is a powerful symbol of French royalty, luxury, and elegance. It began as a small hunting lodge built by King Louis XIII in the 1600s. Later, his son, King Louis XIV, expanded it into a magnificent palace that reflected the power and wealth of the French monarchy.
Located about twenty kilometers from Paris, Versailles became the center of royal life when Louis XIV moved his court there and ruled France from this grand palace. In later years, Louis XV added new wings and buildings to the complex. The final royal residents, Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, were forced to leave the palace during the French Revolution.
On the morning of May 23rd, we left Paris for Versailles by train around nine, a journey of about thirty minutes. From the station, we strolled beneath a canopy of trees that shielded us from the sun, their shifting shadows almost seeming to guide us toward centuries of history.
From a distance, the palace rose like a gleaming fortress, vast as a royal city. Up close, its golden gates sparkled in the sunlight—not merely gilded, but crafted with real gold, adorned with more than a hundred thousand gold leaves. Beyond the gates, the palace roof itself shimmered, a striking symbol of opulence and power.
A line of eager visitors stretched toward the entrance, yet our pre-purchased tickets allowed us to step inside without delay. Security was strict, much like an airport checkpoint, with every step carefully monitored.
Inside, long corridors led us from one grand room to another, each more beautiful than the last. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, the walls were covered with detailed paintings, and soft carpets stretched across the floors. Elegant furniture filled the rooms, reminding visitors of the luxury and rich life once enjoyed by the French kings and queens.
King Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, made himself the center of power in France. In this palace, the daily life of the king and queen from their morning routines to grand entertainments was filled with luxury, celebration, and splendor.
The Galerie des Batailles tells the story of France’s military history. Statues of famous military leaders stand along the hall, and large paintings show important battles, making it feel as if the walls themselves are telling stories from the past.
The Royal Chapel is a beautiful space filled with marble and light. Tall white columns and high arches rise toward the ceiling, while sunlight passes through delicate windows and lights up the paintings above. Decorated in white and gold in the Baroque style, the chapel once hosted royal masses, where the royal family watched from the upper gallery while the public stood below.
The Hall of Mirrors is pure poetry in architecture, a corridor of over three hundred mirrors and sixteen arches stretching two hundred feet. Golden light dances across the polished surfaces, reflecting triumphs painted on the ceiling. Balls, receptions, and even the signing of the Treaty of Versailles have echoed through this hall, where grandeur and history entwine.
Beyond its luxury, the palace was also a place of learning. Kings and queens built personal libraries filled with books they loved. Louis XIV, the Sun King who made Versailles a symbol of royal power, collected books on theater and dance. Louis XV, his great-grandson, was interested in science and geography. Louis XVI, the last king before the French Revolution, often spent his evenings reading and studying.
The women of the court also valued knowledge. Marie Antoinette, the Austrian-born queen who later died during the Revolution; Madame de Maintenon, the influential second wife of Louis XIV; Marie Leszczyńska, the wife of Louis XV; and Madame de Pompadour, the cultured companion of Louis XV, all built collections of books. Their libraries included works on literature, music, philosophy, and the arts, creating a quiet world of learning within the grand palace.
By early afternoon, our exploration complete, we had lunch at Angelina, a Parisian restaurant dating to the 18th century that also oversees palace dining.
The gardens stretch far and wide, filled with trees, fountains, canals, and statues, covering nearly two thousand acres. It would take a very long time to walk through the entire garden, so we took a small train that moved gently through the greenery. The palace grounds also include the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet.
After four hours exploring the palace and gardens, we returned to Paris, our hearts full of beauty and history. That evening, we had dinner at L’Atlantic French Restaurant. For the first time in France, we tried French onion soup, lasagna with grilled vegetables, and finished with the classic crème brûlée, its caramelized top shining like a little sun.
By 9 p.m., we returned to our hotel, the day’s golden memories lingering like whispers of the past.
It had been a journey not only through space, but through time and magnificence. The next day, we wandered through Monet’s beautiful gardens in Giverny and later explored the historic town of Rouen. You can read those memories
here.
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