Exciting Renovations at the Château de Versailles
What’s old is new again at the Château de Versailles as several important rooms reopen to the public after a significant refurbishment to resemble their appearance in earlier centuries.
During the pandemic, while many were unaware, exciting changes took place at the Château de Versailles. Notably, a new hotel opened on its grounds last summer, arguably becoming one of the most standout hotels in France. Guests are offered exclusive after-hours access to the former royal palace, beautifully furnished rooms evoking 18th-century charm, a restaurant overseen by renowned chef Alain Ducasse, and a spa featuring treatments inspired by Marie-Antoinette.
Daytrippers to the palace don’t need to spend $2,077 per night to enjoy the new offerings. While visitors were away, several important rooms received significant makeovers, including the Jeu de Paume or Royal Tennis Court of Versailles, which has reopened following a €1.8 million refurbishment project. This renovation provides access to a forgotten part of France’s history, as stated by Catherine Pegard, president of the palace’s public administration.
The room was initially created in 1686 for Louis XIV as a tennis court for the royal family. It later became the historic venue for the founding act of French democracy in 1789, when deputies swore an oath to draft France’s first constitution after being locked out of the Menus-Plaisirs hall in Versailles for refusing to yield to the king.
Today, the hall is welcoming guided tours again after an eight-month closure, restoring motifs that had disappeared after prior restorations, including the impressive Luc-Olivier Merson painting, The Tennis Court Oath.
Additionally, the apartment of the Dauphin – Louis XV’s eldest son – has also reopened after 18 months of extensive work. This prestigious ground floor apartment, which includes a bedroom, library, and reception room, rejoins the tour circuit alongside the restored quarters of Madame Du Barry, Louis XV’s mistress.
Museum officials aimed to recreate the ambiance of the rooms during their peak, employing local artisans, including carpenters, gilders, and marble workers, to restore their 18th-century elegance.
“This campaign has allowed the apartment to regain its perfection,” added Pegard, highlighting that the refurbishment now opens the entire ground floor of the palace to tours.
“Today, we push open a new door, which has been closed for a long time. Proof that at Versailles, we have never seen everything,” Pegard told reporters.
As of April 1, the rooms are open to the public through guided tours. The Château de Versailles welcomes visitors every day except Mondays, while the beautiful gardens and park are accessible seven days a week.
