All 9 places, explained
1. Hall of Mirrors
The Hall of Mirrors is a long, bright gallery. Tall windows line one side, and mirrors on the other side reflect the light.
Fun fact The hall is 73 meters (240 feet) long and has 357 mirrors.
2. King's Bedchamber
The King's Bedchamber is in the very middle of the palace. Every morning, courtiers came to watch the king get up and dress.
Fun fact King Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, made this his bedroom in 1701.
3. Council Room
In the Council Room, the king met his ministers to talk about the country and make important decisions.
Fun fact The ministers gave their advice, but the king had the final word.
4. King's State Apartments
The King's State Apartments are a row of grand rooms, each one named after a god or planet from old stories.
Fun fact Several evenings a week, the king opened these rooms for music, card games, dancing and snacks.
5. Royal Chapel
The Royal Chapel is where the royal family went to church. It has two levels, one above the other.
Fun fact The king went to the chapel every day, and the whole court followed him.
6. Queen's Bedchamber
The Queen's Bedchamber is where the queen slept and met visitors in the morning. Its walls are covered with flowered silk.
Fun fact Marie-Antoinette was the last queen to live in this room.
7. Daily life
Behind the grand rooms, hundreds of people worked every day: cooks, servants, washers, craftspeople and musicians.
Fun fact In 1682, King Louis XIV moved his whole court to Versailles, and it became the center of power in France.
8. Gardens and fountains
Behind the palace are huge gardens with paths, statues and fountains, laid out in neat shapes and straight lines.
Fun fact The fountains could not all run at once. Fountain keepers turned them on just before the king walked past.
9. Courtyards
Carriages drove through the golden gates and across the courtyards to bring visitors right up to the palace doors.
Fun fact The small courtyard in the middle is called the Marble Courtyard because it is paved with black and white marble.
