The Salles Louis XIV at the Palace of Versailles, new layout

Starting this May 4, 2019, the Palace of Versailles unveils a new layout of the Salles Louis XIV recounting the reign of the Sun King. Discover a totally redesigned tour, following a chronological and thematic order. Masterpieces come and dialog with unknown works from the storehouses or freshly bought or restored. A new look to experience asap.

The Palace of Versailles invites you to discover the new presentation of the Salles Louis XIV. Set on the first floor, in the north wing of the palace, this series of 10 rooms shows a new layout recounting the reign of the Sun King also called the Great.

Let’s discover a chronological presentation going from the birth to the death of the Sun King. We discover then the story of the life of the king, his family and the court through family portraits, paintings of festive and political events. The works displayed in these rooms are priceless and historic testimonies of the 17^th century and the early 18^th century.

In this new layout, we discover historical masterpieces of course, known by most people, as well as rather unknown paintings coming from the storehouses or recently purchased.

We also discover the evolution of portrait over the century: head and shoulder, three-quarter, full-length, intimate, official or dressed up. Some works displayed are some major creations by Le Brun, Mignard, Van der Meulen, Largillière and Coysevox, others have been created by smaller masters and show the richness of the art creation in the 17^th century.

Among the latest purchases, we have: La famille royale autour du berceau du duc d’Anjou by Charles Le Brun, the four small portraits of Louis Elle le Père, the one of Tiberio Fiorilli dit Scaramouche by Pietro Paolini and even La Sculpture travaillant au buste de Louis XIV by Baudrin Yvart and La Fondation de l’Hôtel des Invalides in 1674 by Pierre Dulin.

These rooms not only display paintings but also superb items and a panel of furniture coming from places now disappeared such as the Médaillier du Cabinet des Raretés de Louis XIV [Louis XIV’s Cabinet of Rarities medal collection]. It includes works from the Great Century or produces in the following centuries and in the same line. The marquetry designed by cabinetmaker André-Charles Boulle has become a kind and a style in fashion until the 19^th century.

In other words, some nice rooms to discover for a new delight.

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.