Versailles

Versailles is a town in the Yvelines department, located west of Paris and divided into eight neighborhoods. The built environment ranges from dense residential areas to wide green spaces and forested sections.

Louis XIV moved the royal court here in 1682 and made the place the center of French power. After the Revolution, the town lost its political role but remained an important administrative seat.

The town houses a school for landscape architecture and several conservatories teaching classical music and dance. In the parks surrounding the palace, visitors encounter joggers, families picnicking, and students sitting on the lawns.

Several train lines from Paris serve different stations in town and connect to neighboring communes. On foot, the main areas are easy to reach, while a bicycle is useful for the larger parks.

The town library holds handwritten documents from five centuries, including personal letters from members of the royal family. Some of these are accessible to the public in rotating exhibitions.

Location: Yvelines

Location: arrondissement of Versailles

Location: Communauté d'agglomération Versailles Grand Parc

Inception: 1624

Elevation above the sea: 133 m

Shares border with: Vélizy-Villacoublay, Ville-d'Avray, Marnes-la-Coquette, Guyancourt, Bailly, Buc, Jouy-en-Josas, Saint-Cyr-l'École, Viroflay, Vaucresson, Le Chesnay-Rocquencourt

Address: 4 avenue de Paris, 78000 Versailles

Phone: +33130978000

Website: https://versailles.fr

GPS coordinates: 48.80354,2.12669

Latest update: December 12, 2025 20:15