Skip to content

Top Navigation

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Trip Inspiration
  • Plan Your Trip
  • World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises
  • Travel Tips
  • News
  • Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
  • Explore

    Explore

    • World's Best

      World's Best

      The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Read More
    • The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021

      The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2021

      Whether you're traveling solo or planning a family vacation, here are the 50 best places to visit in 2021. Read More
    • Let's Go Together Podcast

      Let's Go Together Podcast

      Start listening to T+L's brand new podcast, Let's Go Together! Hosted by Kellee Edwards. Read More
  • Trip Inspiration

    Trip Inspiration

    • Trip Ideas
    • Weekend Getaways
    • Spring Travel
    • Summer Travel
    • Fall Travel
    • Winter Travel
    • Solo Travel
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Luxury Travel
    • Beach Vacations
    • Adventure Travel
    • Road Trips
    • Family Travel
    • National Parks
    • Holiday Travel
    • Travel Photography
    • Photo of the Day
    • Culture and Design
  • Plan Your Trip

    Plan Your Trip

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line Will Require Vaccinations for All Passengers and Crew

    Norwegian Cruise Line hopes to resume sailing out of the U.S. on or around July 4.
    • Travel Deals
    • Attractions
    • BookTandL.com
    • Amusement Parks
    • Festivals and Events
    • Bus and Trains
    • Flight Deals
    • Budget Travel
    • Hotels and Resorts
    • Disney Vacations
    • Airlines and Airports
    • Ground Transportation
    • Travel Guides
  • World's Best

    World's Best

    • Top Hotels
    • Top Cities
    • Top Islands
    • Domestic Airlines
    • International Airlines
    • Tours
    • Safaris
    • See All World's Best
  • Destination of the Year
  • A-List Travel Advisors
  • Cruises

    Cruises

    • Find A Cruise
    • Caribbean Cruises
    • River Cruises
    • European Cruises
    • All-Inclusive Cruises
    • Family Cruises
    • Alaskan Cruises
    • Disney Cruises
    • See All Cruise Vacations
  • Travel Tips

    Travel Tips

    • Travel Trends
    • Packing Tips
    • Points + Miles
    • Budgeting + Currency
    • Customs + Immigration
    • Responsible Travel
    • Travel Etiquette
    • Travel Warnings
    • Weather
    • Mobile Apps
    • See All Travel Tips
  • News

    News

    • Wellness
    • Celebrity Travel
    • Animals
    • Jobs
    • Offbeat
    • See All News
  • Food + Drink

    Food + Drink

    • Restaurants
    • Wine
    • Beer
    • Cocktails + Spirits
    • Bars + Clubs
    • Celebrity Chefs
    • Cooking + Entertaining
    • Food Fairs + Festivals
    • World's Best Restaurants
    • See All Food + Drink
  • Travel Accessories

    Travel Accessories

    • Travel Bags
    • Shoes
    • Travel Tech
    • Shopping
    • Style
    • Gift Guides
    • See All Travel Accessories
  • Check-In

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

LIVE
  1. Home
  2. Travel Tips and Intel
  3. Take a Tour Inside the Restricted Passages of Versailles

Take a Tour Inside the Restricted Passages of Versailles

By Mich Cardin
August 23, 2017
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Secret Passageways in Versailles
Credit: Courtesy of Mitch Cardin
We know the Palace of Versailles as the iconic French castle — immortalized in pop culture as Marie Antoinette's gilded stomping ground for lavish parties, fashion debuts and other debaucheries.

The landmark, which began as a smaller hunting lodge, saw the reign of four kings, which spanned more than a century. While French historians and locals smirk at the sensationalized rumors behind Château du Versailles and its royal occupants, the site is not without its secrets and controversies.

The kings' mistresses (Louis XIII – Louis XV) are portrayed as outcasts in modern films like Sophia Coppola's, Marie Antoinette. In reality, they had their own luxury apartment in the palace, fit with a private stairway the king could discreetly access.

Marie Antoinette would often retreat to Petit Trianon, her private home a few minutes from the main palace. There, she would lounge in a pastel blue salon with sliding walls that could be lowered for sunlight, and raised to prevent her fans or enemies from snooping.

We were allowed to explore the prohibited areas of Versailles, along with historian and research director, Mathieu Da Vinha. Da Vinha gave us the scoop on the more confidential, dark details of this historic gem.
Start Slideshow

1 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Stairway of Murder

Stairway of Murder in Secret Versailles
Credit: Courtesy of Mich Cardin

In the 1700s, a former monk and servant at Versailles attempted to stab and kill King Louis XV on this stairwell. He had entered a door that led to the front courtyard of the palace — an area where the general public was allowed to congregate. The King's thick winter coat prevented knife injuries and saved his life. The servant was put to death by being tortured and having liquid metal poured into his wounds.

1 of 9

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mistress Du Barry's Apartment

Mistress Du Barry's Apartment in Versailles
Credit: Courtesy of Mich Cardin

Madame Du Barry was a mistress to many during her lifetime, but was also a well-known supporter of the arts. Louis XV was infatuated and gifted her with exorbitant jewelry and clothing. This hand in excessive spending eventually led to her execution by guillotine, following the French Revolution. During her role as mistress, she lived in a luxury apartment in the palace fitted with a library and views of the main courtyard. This was the hidden door and stairway that connected the King's quarters to her room. She wasn't allowed in the King's bedroom, so appointments were set to meet in hers.

2 of 9

3 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Anti-Mistress Gate

Versailles France Secret Anti Mistress Gate
Credit: Courtesy of Mich Cardin

King Louis XVI, son of Louis XV and husband to Marie Antoinette, was said to be the only king who didn't engage in extramarital affairs. He decided to prove this and make a bold statement by installing a sharp-pronged metal gate in the middle of the stairway that once served as his grandfather's cheating route.

3 of 9

Advertisement

4 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Education Rooms

Versailles Education Room
Credit: Courtesy of Mich Cardin

Louis XVI, more of a shy intellect than socialite, became interested in science, geography, and key crafting at a young age. He would later become known for his locksmith talents. He likely inherited this trait from his father, Louis XV, who was also interested in the natural sciences, medicine, and printing presses. This room served as a private space to research, study, and experiment during their childhood and adulthood.

4 of 9

5 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Marie Antoinette's Moving Mirrors

Secrets of the Petit Trianon
Credit: Courtesy of Mich Cardin

The Petit Trianon was originally built for kings' mistresses and was once occupied by the controversial Madame Du Barry. When Louis XVI became king, he gave the smaller, tranquil residence to his wife, Marie Antoinette. Marie would take refuge there often to escape the pressures and formalities of the palace. She wanted the home as private and casual as her era would allow. This included a boudoir with moving wall panels that could slide up or down, depending on how discreet the queen needed to be.

5 of 9

6 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The King's Library

King's Library, Versailles
Credit: Courtesy of Mich Cardin

French Kings and Queen had two sets of residences at Versailles. State apartments were areas where the general public could visit, including bedrooms, although the king didn't actually sleep there. Private apartments are where royalty spent their off-duty hours and led more normal lives. This was Louis XVI's private library and office, where his love of geography is evident. According to Da Vinha, the king would use this telescope to watch those entering the palace and socializing in the front court.

6 of 9

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Maids' Quarters

Maid's Rooms at Versailles
Credit: Courtesy of Mich Cardin

While the kings' mistresses lived in opulence, their servants slept in rooms barely large enough to walk around in. The servants also had maids of their own, who slept in cubbyholes in the wall within the same room. In a residence with plenty of room to spare, it's one of the grim details of daily palace life.

7 of 9

8 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The King's Water Closet

King's Water Closet in Versailles
Credit: Courtesy of Mich Cardin

Considered one of the most beautiful rooms in the Palace, according to Da Vinha, this is actually King Louis XVI's private wardrobe den and bathroom. An 18th century-style toilet is behind a hidden door in the wall. The room has floor-to-ceiling gold detail and elements of the king's love for geography and science can be seen in symbols along the walls.

8 of 9

9 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The Private Courtyard

Versailles Private Courtyard
Credit: Courtesy of Mich Cardin

This outdoor space served as a private meeting point for Louis XV and Madame Du Barry, and is one of the more charming areas of Versailles. The site's origin as a smaller lodge can be felt here and the kings' love of hunting is also evident. It's easy to imagine the beginnings of a romantic affair or an off-the-record political conversation taking place on these open-air terraces — far away from the stiff complexities of the Palace.

9 of 9

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Mich Cardin

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 9 The Stairway of Murder
    2 of 9 Mistress Du Barry's Apartment
    3 of 9 The Anti-Mistress Gate
    4 of 9 The Education Rooms
    5 of 9 Marie Antoinette's Moving Mirrors
    6 of 9 The King's Library
    7 of 9 The Maids' Quarters
    8 of 9 The King's Water Closet
    9 of 9 The Private Courtyard

    Share options

    Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
    Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Sitemap
    • Travel Guide Sitemap

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletters
    Travel + Leisure Group
    Other Meredith Sites

    Other Meredith Sites

    • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
    • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
    • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
    • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
    • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
    • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
    • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
    • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
    • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
    • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
    • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
    • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
    • Health this link opens in a new tab
    • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
    • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
    • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
    • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
    • More this link opens in a new tab
    • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
    • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
    • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
    • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
    • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
    • Parents this link opens in a new tab
    • People this link opens in a new tab
    • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
    • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
    • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
    • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
    • Shape this link opens in a new tab
    • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
    • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
    • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
    MeredithTravel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. Travel + Leisure is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation Travel + Leisure Group All Rights Reserved, registered in the United States and other countries. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.travelandleisure.com

    View image

    Take a Tour Inside the Restricted Passages of Versailles
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.