The Town of Versailles

Historical Context

Before the Sun King arrived, Versailles was a modest village of 100 inhabitants. The palace's construction transformed it into France's de facto capital, growing to 30,000 residents by 1789. Today's city of 85,000 maintains an elegant, small-town feel despite its proximity to Paris, offering visitors authentic French experiences without tourist markup.

Orientation

The town spreads out from three main squares: - Place d'Armes: Directly facing the palace - Place du Marché Notre-Dame: The historic market square - Place de la Cathédrale: Religious and judicial center

Three distinct neighborhoods offer different experiences: - Notre-Dame Quarter: Lively, commercial, affordable - Saint-Louis Quarter: Historic, architectural, quiet - Montreuil Quarter: Residential, authentic, peaceful