The Hall of Mirrors

Time Needed: 20-30 minutes (often longer due to crowds)

The palace's most famous room stretches 73 meters with 357 mirrors.

What Makes It Special: - Mirrors were luxury items—this display showed incredible wealth - 17 mirrored arches match 17 windows overlooking gardens - The ceiling depicts Louis XIV's first 18 years of personal reign - Crystal chandeliers recreated from original designs

Historical Moments: - Daily processions of the king passed through - The German Empire proclaimed here in 1871 - Treaty of Versailles signed here in 1919 - State dinners still held for special occasions

Best Photography: - Early morning for fewer crowds - Late afternoon for golden light - Stand at either end for full perspective - No flash to protect paintings

Crowd Management: - Peak congestion 11 AM - 3 PM - Move to sides for easier passage - Accessible route follows main path

Hidden Details: - Original mirrors were slightly warped—look for distortions - Curtains once covered mirrors at night (fabric cost more than glass) - Floor marks show where barriers separated nobles by rank