The world-famous city of Versailles is located in northern France in the Île-de-France region of the country. Today, it is basically a wealthy suburb of Paris - as it is located a mere 17.1 kilometers from the city centre - but from 1682 to 1789 Versailles functioned as the capital of the entire country. It is perhaps best known for the magnificent 17th century Palace of Versailles, which was originally built by Louis XIII as a grand hunting lodge, but was later expanded by his successor, Louis XIV, who slowly turned it into one of the largest and most impressive palaces in the entire world.

While visiting Versailles, you will undoubtedly notice the grid-like pattern of the streets – a timeless testament to the vision of the king, who demanded a rational and symmetrical plan for his new city. Today, it has retained a distinct royal feel and boasts a variety of excellent shopping and dining opportunities, as well as a thriving arts and music scene.