Aile du Nord, Royal palace wing in Versailles, France
The North Wing is a multi-story palace building with high ceilings, large windows, and classical French design featuring detailed stone carvings throughout. The complex houses the Royal Chapel and Royal Opera along with numerous apartments and galleries displaying intricate decorative details.
The North Wing was built between 1685 and 1689 under architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart as part of Louis XIV's expansion of the former hunting lodge. The Royal Chapel was completed in 1710 and the Royal Opera was added in 1770, marking the court's continued growth and ambition.
The Royal Chapel in this wing displays ornate altars and religious artwork that reflect the spiritual life of the court. Visitors can still see the gilded decorations and paintings that expressed both faith and royal power.
Visitors reach the North Wing through the main palace entrance and follow marked pathways through multiple rooms and galleries. Comfortable shoes are recommended since exploring several floors with many rooms takes considerable time.
This building section contains the Crusades Rooms, originally used as apartments for court ladies but later transformed into galleries displaying historical paintings of medieval French military campaigns. This renovation under King Louis-Philippe shows how the palace adapted over time to new interests and purposes.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
