former French royal residence and centre of government, now a national landmark. It is located in the city of Versailles, Yvelines département, Île-de-France région, northern France, 10 miles (16 km) west-southwest of Paris. As the centre of the French court, Versailles was one of the grandest theatres of European absolutism (Europe, history of).

Declared the official royal residence in 1682 and the official residence of the court of France on May 6, 1682, the Palace of Versailles was abandoned after the death of Louis XIV in 1715. In 1722, however, it was returned to its status as royal residence. Further additions were made during the reigns of Louis XV (1715–74) and Louis XVI (1774–92). Following the French Revolution (France) of 1789, the complex was nearly destroyed; it was subsequently restored by Louis-Philippe (1830–48), but its utility gradually decreased. By the 20th century, though it was occasionally used for plenary congresses of the French parliament or as housing for visiting heads of state, the primary utility of the palace lay in tourism.

Among the most famous rooms in the palace are the Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors; 1678–89) and the other Grands Appartements (State Rooms). The former is characterized by 17 wide, arcaded mirrors opposite 17 windows; glass chandeliers hang from its arched, ornately painted ceiling, and gilded statues and reliefs border its walls. The hall is flanked on opposite ends by the equally striking Salon de la Paix (Salon of Peace) and Salon de la Guerre (Salon of War). It was in the Galerie des Glaces that the Treaty of Versailles (Versailles, Treaty of) was signed by the Allies and Germany in 1919. Other important sites are the Grand Trianon (1678–88) and the late 18th-century Petit Trianon, which were built as private residences for the royal family and special guests. The Museum of French History, founded in 1837 during the period of restoration overseen by Louis-Philippe, was consecrated “to all the glories of France”; however, its 6,000 paintings and 2,000 sculptures are largely closed to the public.

Guy Walton, Louis XIV's Versailles (1986), covers the history and architecture of the palace. Jean-Marie Pérouse de Montclos and Robert Polidori, Versailles (1991; originally published in French, 1991), a well-illustrated work, covers the gardens and the buildings. The gardens in particular are the subject of Pierre-André Lablaude, The Gardens of Versailles (1995; originally published in French, 1995), tracing the development of the gardens from Louis XII to Louis XVI; and Stéphane Pincas, Versailles: The History of the Gardens and Their Sculpture (1996; originally published in French, 1995).