The Château of Versailles is located in the Département of Yvelines, 18km/11mi from Paris, and is in effect one half of the town of Versailles which was built to service the Château. The epitome of French Classicism it consists of the Palace itself incuding the Orangerie, the Gardens, the Trianon and Le Hameau.

It all started out as a hunting lodge built by Louis XIII in1624 but by the end of the century had become a Palace with gardens designed by Le Nôtre and furnished with the Grand Trianon. The 18th century saw further improvements including Le Hameau but of course all this splendour contributed to the unrest which culminated in the events of 1789 which forced the royal Family to return to Paris and abandon the Château.