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Bed Down Like Marie Antoinette in Versailles, France

The opulence of 17th century France is actually only a short trip away from the capital.

Jurriaan Teulings
Scenset travel expert
The Versailles Orangerie was designed to shelter tender plants – and impress visitors
The Versailles Orangerie was designed to shelter tender plants – and impress visitors
From royal playground to modern day museum

Versailles, the legendary playground of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, is one of France's greatest achievements in 17th-century architecture. After the French Revolution, when the royal's lives of decadence and debauchery were brought to a swift end, King Louis-Philippe assigned the palace its current role: a grand museum devoted to the history of France.

Now, Le Grand Contrôle is turning back the clock and once again making Versailles the place for an opulent night of rest and recuperation.

This room was named after the French woman of letters Madame de Staël, a voice of moderation during the French Revolution
This room was named after the French woman of letters Madame de Staël, a voice of moderation during the French Revolution
It doesn't get much more opulent than Versailles and its gardens
It doesn't get much more opulent than Versailles and its gardens
France's most exclusive rooms

The first hotel to open within the grounds of the iconic Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle, with only 14 rooms, will likely be the most exclusive address in France for years to come.

Opened in June 2020, each room is individually decorated in 18th-century style and resplendent with authentic chandeliers, fabrics, artwork, and artifacts of the time, such as a love letter from Madame De Staël to her lover Louis, Comte de Narbonne-Lara.

A bathroom that Madame de Staël would certainly have approved of
A bathroom that Madame de Staël would certainly have approved of
This room was named after Jules Hardouin-Mansart, architect of the Grand Trianon of the Palace of Versailles
This room was named after Jules Hardouin-Mansart, architect of the Grand Trianon of the Palace of Versailles
A view of the hotel restaurant by the internationally-acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse. With 21 Michelin stars to his name, his menu was inspired by the flamboyant nature of Louis XIV’s tastes
A view of the hotel restaurant by the internationally-acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse. With 21 Michelin stars to his name, his menu was inspired by the flamboyant nature of Louis XIV’s tastes
Le Grand Contrôle, an impressive size for just 14 rooms
Le Grand Contrôle, an impressive size for just 14 rooms
Live it up like Marie Antoinette

Guests are in for an immersive experience. After-hours access to the famous Hall of Mirrors is an option, in addition to private tours to the Trianon or Marie Antoinette’s much-loved English Garden each morning.

Interested in private dining with a string quartet in the former apartment of Louis XV’s daughters? That's possible too. There’s even a Marie Antoinette-themed day on offer, including a costume fitting – sans the guillotine finale, presumably.

Ready to get fancy in Versailles?

Let us know and we'll start planning a 17th century vacation fit for royalty.

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Jurriaan Teulings
Jurriaan dreamt of becoming either an astronomer or a circus clown. He became a lawyer instead, but finally found the ultimate fit for his free-range mind as a travel writer and photographer. A Stroopwafel evangelist, he's also won a few awards: two in plexiglass, one in bronze, and one made of beads. The biggest prize: 20 years of travel to all continents and 99 countries so far.

All images by Renee Kemps, courtesy of Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle