Versailles

Versailles is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region of north-central France. It lies in the western suburbs of Paris, about 20 kilometers from the city center, and is part of the greater Paris metropolitan area. The town is best known for the Palace of Versailles, a former royal residence whose influence extended across European political and cultural life.

The Palace of Versailles was developed from a hunting lodge into a grand palace under Louis XIV in the 1670s and 1680s. It became the principal seat of the French monarchy and a symbol of absolutism, housing the court until the French Revolution began in 1789. The palace is renowned for its opulent interiors, the Hall of Mirrors, and the extensive gardens designed by André Le Nôtre. Within the park lie the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, as well as the Marie Antoinette’s Estate, elements that illustrate evolving tastes and political functions of the estate.

The estate and its grounds have long shaped Versailles as a cultural and political center. The town today hosts administrative institutions, universities, and a thriving cultural life, drawing millions of visitors annually. The Treaty of Versailles, signed in the Hall of Mirrors on June 28, 1919, formally ended World War I and contributed to shaping 20th‑century international relations. Versailles is served by regional rail links to Paris, making it a prominent historical and tourist destination in the region.