Île-de-France · Yvelines, France

Château de Versailles

Louis XIII's brick-and-stone hunting lodge, transformed from 1661 by Louis XIV into the seat of the French court and the most imitated palace in Europe. Architects Louis Le Vau and Jules Hardouin-Mansart, painter Charles Le Brun and gardener André Le Nôtre created the template of absolute-monarchy grandeur.

At a glance

Built: 1623 (lodge); transformed from 1661
Style: French Baroque / Classicism
Commissioned by: Louis XIII; transformed by Louis XIV
Signature feature: The Hall of Mirrors — 73 metres, 357 mirrors, by Hardouin-Mansart and Le Brun
Gardens: c. 800 hectares designed by André Le Nôtre
Court residence: Seat of the French court and government 1682–1789
Heritage status: UNESCO World Heritage since 1979
Visiting: Open to visitors (closed Mondays)