With a new Versailles Palace hotel opening this month, guests can step back hundreds of years and enjoy a taste of French royal life.
This exciting new venture is a luxury hotel within the Palace of Versailles itself, offering an exclusive new place to stay.
We take a look at this one-of-a-kind property, that is quite literally fit for royalty.
The principal royal residence of France
Versailles. Its name alone evokes the Golden Age of French history. A time of royal opulence, grand balls, and lavish splendor.
Dating back to the reign of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the Château de Versailles started as a modest hunting lodge. But over the centuries it grew in size, expanded and embellished for the courts of Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI.
In its final incarnation, still intact to this day, the principal royal residence of France
boasts a mind-boggling 2300 rooms, including grand halls and apartments, galleries, chapels, and museums. It is surrounded by lavish fountains and sprawling French gardens, created by landscape designer André le Nôtre. All just 15 miles from Paris.
Quite rightly, Versailles is one of the finest achievements of French art.
With such an iconic status, visitors to the palace have long dreamed of spending the night. But up to now, the 7.5 million visitors each year must leave when the sun goes down.
Staying overnight on the grounds is possible, by owning one of the converted apartments in the former King’s Furniture Depository. This is something we previously reported in this blog.
But now in 2021, this new residence offers the chance to enjoy a fabulous hotel break within the grounds of Versailles.
Airelles in charge of the Versailles Palace hotel opening
Luxury French brand Airelles is responsible for this new Versailles Palace hotel opening. Their portfolio of properties already includes exclusive hotels in Saint-Tropez and Val-d'Isère.
Their latest opened June 1, 2021, and is officially known as Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle.
This prestigious property has just 14 rooms and suites, adorned with original 18th-century furniture, art, and artifacts, including a grand chandelier in each.
The project has taken four years to complete, with painstaking attention to detail given to the design, consulting the palace archives to ensure the décor is authentic and of the period.
Hotel facilities include a signature restaurant with a terrace, a bar, a spa by Valmont, and a 15-meter indoor swimming pool.
As Christophe Tollemer, the hotel’s designer and architect says, “the 21st century will disappear – apart from its comforts.”
World-renowned chef Alain Ducasse
Let them eat cake? There’s a whole lot more on the menu for those staying at this ultra-luxurious hotel.
World-renowned chef Alain Ducasse is leading up the restaurant, known as The Feast. Ducasse is only one of two chefs to hold 21 Michelin stars throughout his career.
Dining here is set to be nothing short of spectacular, with the evening dinner service like an 18th-century performance. This includes waiters dressed in period costumes, serving each course on gold and silver platters.
Ducasse’s tantalizing dishes take inspiration from the great classics of French cuisine. The menu includes galantine with foie gras and pistachios, scallops with Jerusalem artichokes and truffles, and traditional vol-au-vent.
While the dessert menu also tempts with signature sweet plates such as L'Elixir de Louis XV with citrus fruit, and L'Orangerie with chocolate and praline.
The latter is a fitting choice for the restaurant, which itself offers views over the famed Orangery of Versailles.
Other exclusive experiences for hotel guests
Outside of the main restaurant, guests can also book a private dining experience in the former apartment of Louis XV’s daughters, accompanied by a live string quartet.
It’s just one of the opulent extras available, which also include a Marie Antoinette-themed costume fitting and a private performance at the Royal Opera.
Even after-hours access to the famed Hall of Mirrors is available, for those willing to dip into their own personal coffers.
But all hotel guests can indulge with complimentary royal extras, included in the price of their stay. This includes exclusive access to areas of the palace grounds that are usually off-limits such as the state apartments, halls, gardens, and Trianon Estate. All guests can enjoy private guided tours through these rooms when the general public have gone home.
When exploring the palace grounds, guests can even make use of golf carts and electric boats to sail on the Grand Canal.
To crown this royal treatment, guests are also assigned a dedicated butler throughout their stay, who will arrange these experiences, along with complimentary afternoon tea, and access to the indulgent Valmont Spa.
Here to help with all your real estate queries
While we may not specialize in palaces, at 56Paris we are experts on helping clients find their perfect Parisian home.
Just one luxurious property in our portfolio includes this seven-bedroom house in the nearby Parc de Saint-Cloud, on Louis XII’s former hunting grounds.
Whether you are looking to buy, sell or rent in Paris, please do get in touch with the team to see how we can help. All advice is freely given with no obligation.
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Photo: Paolo Costa Baldi, Renee Kemps