Travel Guide to Versailles, France

French city Versailles is very popular among tourists from all over the world. Each year it is visited by numerous travellers, overcoming many capitals of different countries. The city looks more like an elegant palace, surrounded by parks and green valleys. Large number of historical and architectural sights makes this place one of the most valuable historical and cultural centers of the world.

Palace of Versailles is the main sight and the first association people name when asked about this place. It was built in the 12th century and nowadays it is considered the architectural model among the palaces of that period. Initially this palace belonged to Louis XIII. Later the house was expanded and turned into a luxurious palace with rich decorations and spacious halls. Art experts immediately recognize unforgettable elements of classicism that are laconically coincided with the elements of baroque.

The main park of Versailles has become the most popular place for pedestrian walks. The square of the park exceeds 6,000 hectares. It is also decorated with various sculptures, swimming pools, and fountains. The noblest people of France once walked on the roads of this park.

The crossing of three main streets of Versailles is the location of the statue of Louis XIV. The statue was installed around 150 years ago. Nearby the palace starts the main valley of the town. If you take a walk along it, you can reach the Grand Canal. Here are located a series of sights, among which are the palaces Le Grand Trianon and Le Petit Trianon, and also a cozy village named after Maria Antoinette. This settlement still keeps an ancient windmill, houses and a milk farm. There is also a historic-architectural complex that will tell you about the history of the town and the whole country. The galleries and halls of this complex exhibit various collections of historical artifacts.