Château de Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most famous royal residences in the world and a symbol of the absolute power of the French monarchy. Originally a hunting lodge for Louis XIII, it was transformed by Louis XIV into an enormous palace designed to place the French king at the centre of European politics. Visitors can explore the Hall of Mirrors, royal apartments, ornate gardens and the vast estate surrounding the palace. Beyond the famous interiors, the gardens themselves are an attraction, with fountains, woodland paths and carefully designed landscapes stretching for miles. Versailles is essential because it tells the story of France's monarchy, its culture and its political ambitions before the Revolution. Although located near Paris, it can also form part of a wider cycling or camping itinerary through the surrounding Île-de-France countryside.
