Versailles is mentioned for the first time in history in a charter dated 1038. At the end of the 11th century, it was merely a country village built around the castle and church of Saint-Julien-today the site of the Grand Commun, former residence of the royal court. Owing to its agricultural activities and prime location on the road from Paris to Dreux and Normandy, Versailles was relatively prosperous until the end of the 13th century. Following the tumultuous events of the Hundred Years’ War, the town had a population of approximately 100.
In 1662, vivid memories of the insurrection of the Fronde drove Louis XIV to relocate to a new royal residence just outside Paris. Envious of the château built by his finance minister, Fouquet, at Vaux-le-Vicomte, the young Louis XIV determined to outdo him. He recruited the design team of Vaux-le-Vicomte - architect Le Vau, painter Le Brun and gardener Le Nôtre - and ordered something a hundred times the size. The result was Versailles, the apotheosis of French regal indulgence.
After more than 150 years of quiet existence, Versailles has succeeded in carving a new role for itself in modern society. The city’s architecture has been restored and its historic districts adapted to contemporary lifestyle, but the urban fabric remains decidedly intact. Steady growth in outlying suburbs has practically made a next-door neighbor of Paris.
There's a wonderfully posh place to take tea in the town: the Hôtel Palais Trianon , where the final negotiations for the Treaty of Versailles took place in 1919.
Located near the park entrance at the end of boulevard de la Reine, it offers trayfuls of mouth-watering pâtisseries. The style of the hotel is very much that of the town in general.
Versailles is thus pleased to welcome you back in time...
