Hall of Mirrors and Royal Apartments – Highlights, Timing, and Photo Tips

The Hall of Mirrors is the showstopper — 73 meters of chandeliers, gilt, and reflecting light designed to awe ambassadors and cement Louis XIV’s image. But its impact multiplies when you view it at the right time and with a few details in mind.

Best timing

• First timed entry (09:00–09:30) or the last hour before closing for softer crowds and better light.
• Rainy days can be atmospheric but increase interior traffic; plan for patience.

What to look for

• The mirrors themselves: a symbol of French luxury and technology, reflecting the gardens and court life.
• Ceiling paintings narrating the political power of the Sun King.
• The alignment: windows to the west catch late‑day glow; mirrors amplify it.

King’s State Apartments

• Sequence: Hercules Salon → Abundance → Venus → Diana → Mars → Mercury → Apollo. Each themed to classical deities that reinforce royal virtues.
• Don’t miss: the Apollo Salon’s throne platform and fine marbles; Hercules Salon’s massive paintings.

Royal Chapel (when open)

• A two‑story chapel with a gallery for the royal family; note the organ, columns, and light.

Photo strategies

• Embrace angles: shoot along the line of chandeliers; capture reflections of windows in mirrors for depth.
• Wait for gaps: crowds ebb in small waves — step aside, then re‑enter the flow.
• Keep gear light: monopods/tripods are generally restricted; a fast lens/phone night mode helps.

A 5‑minute history

• Built under Louis XIV, Versailles became the stage for absolute monarchy. The Hall of Mirrors hosted key moments, from royal rituals to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles (1919).

Bottom line

Think choreography: arrive early or late, move with the visitor flow, and let the mirrors do their work — reflecting not just light, but the spectacle of power Versailles was built to project.