Marvel at the ornate State Apartments and breathtaking Hall of Mirrors inside the official residence of the French monarchy from 1682 to 1789 – The Palace of Versailles. Learn more about Louis XIV and other French royals. Located just 30 minutes from central Paris by train, Versailles was a sleepy village until Louis XIII began to build a hunting lodge in 1623. By the end of the century, continued expansion saw the town and castle become the symbolic center of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. Louis XIV moved the royal family to the palace in 1682, and 2 enormous new wings were added during a 2nd phase of building (1678–1715). Your ticket allows you access to the ornate State Apartments built by Le Vau. Get a sense of life in the French court, and walk through the glittering Hall of Mirrors. Learn about the main figures of the French monarchy, up to the French Revolution when the royal family was forced to return to Paris in October 1789. Take a walk through the legendary gardens at your own pace, and marvel at fountains, sculptures, and beautifully manicured lawns. Please take in consideration that the waiting time to enter the Palace of Versailles can be more than 2 hours in high season, even with a pre-booked ticket. Arrive early in the morning or in the middle of the afternoon to avoid the long lines.