La Nuit des Musées is a not-to-be-missed event that invites us to rediscover museums, castles and cultural centers from a different angle, through a vast program of free nocturnes. The event takes place all over the Paris region, and this year's 21st edition is set for Saturday May 17, 2025. This year, we're off to the Yvelines to discover the program that awaits us on the grounds of the Château de Versailles.
A visit to the Château de Versailles and its program
The Château de Versailles, its gardens and grounds, are a world heritage site. The official residence of the kings of France, the Château de Versailles holds the record as the largest château in the world, and of course the most visited in France. [Read more]
This emblem of royal power under Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, symbolizes the apogee of 17th-century French art and marks a turning point in the history of the French monarchy. Today, Versailles is not only a monument to French grandeur, but also a living testimony to the ingenuity and excess of the ancien régime before the French Revolution.
Originally built as a modest hunting lodge for Louis XIII, the Château de Versailles was transformed and enlarged under the reign of his son, Louis XIV, who made it the center of political power in France from 1682 until theFrench Revolution in 1789 . Architect Louis Le Vau, landscape architect André Le Nôtre and artist Charles Le Brun played key roles in the development of Versailles, creating a harmonious ensemble that combines architecture, interior design and landscaping in exemplary fashion.
The Versailles estate also includes the Petit and Grand Trianon, more intimate retreats created to escape the strict etiquette of the court. The Hameau de la Reine, built for Marie-Antoinette, is an idealized rustic village where the queen and her guests could enjoy country life.
Today, Versailles attracts millions of visitors every year, eager to explore its opulent rooms, impeccable gardens and fascinating history. The château is not only a museum of French history, but also a lively performance venue, with concerts, operas and fireworks shows keeping the château alive.
That's why any opportunity to visit it for free is worth taking. Take a plunge through time, where every stone, every sculpture and every garden tells a story of grandeur, decadence and, ultimately, revolution.
Nuit des Musées 2025: a free nocturne at the Petite écurie at the Château de Versailles (78)
The Petite écurie at the Château de Versailles, home to the sculpture and casting gallery, is opening its doors to us free of charge this Saturday, May 17, on the occasion of Nuit des Musées 2025. [Read more]
Nuit des Musées 2025 at La Maréchalerie, ÉNSA's contemporary art center in Versailles (78)
The Night of the Museums also extends to the town of Versailles in the Yvelines. At La Maréchalerie, ÉNSA's contemporary art center, we're unveiling an exceptional nocturne for this Saturday, May 17, 2025. We tell you all about it! [Read more]
Don't miss this unique and enriching experience, plunging you into the heart of French history at the Château de Versailles during Nuit des Musées 2024.
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Dates and Opening Time
On May 17, 2025
Location
Palace of Versailles
Château de Versailles
78000 Versailles
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
A visit to the Château de Versailles and its program
