Aile du Midi, South wing at Palace of Versailles, France
The Aile du Midi is a wing of the Palace of Versailles located on the south side of the main building. It is made up of two parallel structures separated by inner courtyards, with a facade facing the gardens that shows Italian architectural features.
Jules Hardouin-Mansart designed this wing between 1679 and 1681 as a residence for the royal children of Louis XIV. The construction was part of a broader expansion of the palace that transformed Versailles into one of the largest royal residences in Europe.
The Galerie des Batailles displays large paintings of French military victories that visitors walk past in a long, open hall. The paintings are arranged in order, moving from ancient times through to the 19th century.
The wing can be entered from two levels, with one entrance on the park side and another opening toward the main courtyards. Allow plenty of time, as the halls are long and connect to several different rooms and galleries.
A hall inside this wing has been used since 1953 for joint sessions of the French parliament, including presidential elections by elected representatives. This makes it one of the few places outside Paris where decisions of national importance are formally taken.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
