Château de Versailles: several rooms about the Third Republic open - our photos

The Third Republic invites itself to the Château de Versailles! This year, the Château celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Third Republic. To mark the occasion, the château is commemorating the birth of this new republic, highlighting the legacy and traces left by this period in the monument.

Versailles and the Third Republic: a little history...

Yes, this great symbol of absolute monarchy and the Sun King also played an important role in the Third Republic. For the record, the Republic was proclaimed on September 4, 1870, following Napoleon III's defeat by Prussia at Sedan. As the war continued, the provisional government moved to Tours, then Bordeaux. In 1871, following the signing of the armistice, the National Assembly, with its monarchist majority, took up residence at the Château de Versailles, far from the turmoil of Paris and the Commune, which broke out in March 1871. It was in the Hall of Mirrors that the German Empire was proclaimed on January 18, 1871, a further humiliation for France.

After the bloody suppression of the Commune in May, Versailles remained the center of power. The Constitutional Law of 1875 established a bicameral parliamentary system, with a Chamber of Deputies elected by universal male suffrage and a Senate representing the notables (Wallon Law). The inscriptions "Sénat" (Senate) and "Chambre des députés" (Chamber of Deputies) can be found on the facades of theOpéra and the Salle des Congrès. The presidency of the Republic was also defined (the French parliament was responsible for electing the President of the Republic), marking the stabilization of the regime despite tensions between republicans and monarchists. Today, the Salle des Congrès is the venue for meetings of Congress, when the two houses of Parliament meet to revise the Constitution.

The Congress Hall, a still-used room open to visitors for the very first time

Not familiar with the Salle du Congrès at the Château de Versailles? That's understandable: this space is not open to the public. That's why you should take advantage of this opportunity: from February 15 until the end of September 2025, the Château is offering the Congress Hall and the ceremonial apartment of the President of the Congress to the general public.

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For a limited time at weekends, and with guided tours during the week, the château opens the doors to these little-known places steeped in history.

• The congress hall and related apartment were built in 1875. The hall, inspired by the apartments of Louis XIV, is larger than the hemicycles of the Senate and National Assembly. Its size, color scheme and layout are reminiscent of a theater.
• Theapartment of the President of the Congress, on the other hand, features a neo-Louis XV decor, and replaced the former apartments of members of the royal family.

Also note that the Château de Versailles invites you to discover a series of three podcasts, available on all platforms this year. The idea is to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the installation of the government of the Third Republic at Versailles. TheNational Assembly and the Château de Versailles Research Centre are also organizing a symposium on June 4, focusing on the birth and evolution of the Republic in France from the 18th century to the present day. And for younger visitors, theatrical tours will be available from spring 2025.

A chance to visit these hidden corners of the Château de Versailles!