In spite of the many royal domains which he had at his disposal, it was at Versailles, where, according to the word of Saint-Simon, there existed only a "little house of cards" which Louis XIII had made there to no longer sleep on the straw. In 1661 Louis XIV chose to build a castle worthy of its prestige. Taking over the team that built Vaux-le-Vicomte, the ruler launched the largest construction site of the century that will employ up to 36,000 workers. In 1682, the Sun King and the court officially settled in Versailles. The castle was the home of the kings of France until the revolution of 1789.

Bestsellers Musée des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon

See bestsellers

Gallery of Fashions

King's Herbarium

Green Apron Herbier du roi - Maison Baluchon

Museum collections

Discover more objects, gift ideas and inspiration

Homepage shops See all exhibitions See the museums