Every king’s dream, Versailles was the residence of the French king and the cultural heartbeat of Europe for about 100 years — until the Revolution of 1789 ended the notion that God deputized some people to rule for Him on Earth. Louis XIV spent half a year’s income of Europe’s richest country turning his dad’s hunting lodge into a palace fit for a divine monarch. Louis XV and Louis XVI spent much of the 18th century gilding Louis XIV’s lily. In 1837, about 50 years after the royal family was evicted, King Louis Philippe opened the palace as a museum. Europe’s next-best palaces are Versailles wannabes.Versailles is more than a palace, it’s a symbol – of absolute monarchy, of the excess that brought about a revolution. Occupying a pleasant Parisian suburb, the chateau is one of the city’s top tourist destinations and with good reason.The park and gardens are a joy in their own right, elaborately landscaped with grand fountains and central canal; stand on the terrace, with the palace behind you, and soak up a view fit for a Sun King.

When to Go
In summer, Versailles is especially crowded between 10:00 and 13:00, and all day Tue and Sun. For fewer crowds, go early or late: Either arrive by 9:00 (when the palace opens, touring the palace first, then the gardens) or arrive later, see the gardens first, and tour the château after 15:30 (you’ll get a reduced entry ticket, but note that the last guided tours of the day generally depart at 15:00, though sometimes as late as 16:00). The gardens and palace are great late. On one of my visits, I was the only tourist in the Hall of Mirrors at 18:00…even on a Tuesday