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Palace of Versailles

The palace of Versailles, some 20 km outside of Paris was the seat of political power in the Kingdom of France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved the royal court from Paris.

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All Content on this topic

View of the perfect lawn around the White House.

The power of the perfect lawn

From the gardens of Versailles to suburban America, why are well-manicured lawns central to our cultural identity?
LifestyleNovember 18, 2024
French police officers keep watch in front of the Louvre museum, closed for security reasons, in Paris, as French government puts the nation on its highest state of alert after a deadly knife attack in northern France, October 14, 2023.

France: Louvre and Versailles evacuated amid terrorism alert

France is on its highest security alert after a teacher was stabbed on Friday.
TerrorismOctober 14, 2023
Frankreich König Charles zu Besuch in Paris

France holds rich state banquet for King Charles III

President Macron welcomed King Charles III and Queen Camilla with full pomp at the Palace of Versailles.
HistorySeptember 21, 2023
View from above at the colorful shapes of the gardens at Château de Villandry, France

Europe's stunning parks and gardens

An encounter with landscaping visionaries.
TravelAugust 25, 202311 images
A hand reads "pay" calling for reparations for loss and damage at the COP27 U.N. Climate Summit in 2022

What are reparations?

What are these payments? What other examples have there been of reparations in the past?
PoliticsJune 30, 2023
Barbara Wesel Kommentarbild App *PROVISORISCH*

Europe and Ukraine: Victory for the timid

Barbara Wesel
At the start, the EU was decisive. But on Ukrainian membership in the EU, it's too cautious, says DW's Barbara Wesel.
PoliticsMarch 13, 2022
European leaders pose for a group photo at an EU summit at Versailles, France

EU leaders douse Ukraine's swift accession hopes

EU leaders met for talks at France's Versailles Palace, where Ukraine has topped the discussions.
PoliticsMarch 11, 2022
Friedrich Ebert with Konrad Adenauer

Friedrich Ebert: Germany's pioneer of democracy

Both admired and controversial, Ebert led Germany at a pivotal moment in its history.
HistoryFebruary 4, 2021
DW euromaxx plus 16.10.2020

Exhibition: "The Palace of Versailles in Comic Books”

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited places around the world.
LifestyleOctober 19, 202003:22 min
Deutschland Architektur as Schloss Sanssouci in Potsdam

Potsdam – the Versailles of the North

We visit the palaces, parks and gardens of Potsdam and Berlin.
CultureOctober 3, 202002:41 min
Woman taking a picture of the Eiffel Tower

Paris reawakens — these sights can be visited again

Bars, restaurants, and hotels are open again. And the first tourists are returning.
CultureJune 25, 20209 images
Demonstrators march through Berlin in 1920

Treaty of Versailles: A fragile peace

The fighting in World War I ended in November 1918. But it took seven months until an official peace treaty was signed.
ConflictsJune 28, 2019
Macron Merkel

Merkel and Macron visit WWI memorial

Chancellor Angela Merkel and her French counterpart have marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
ConflictsNovember 10, 2018
Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech in Versailles near Paris

Emmanuel Macron vows "bold and courageous" decisions

Some right- and left-wing lawmakers boycotted Macron's speech, criticising his "monarchical" style.
PoliticsJuly 9, 2018
Vorschaubild DW Euromaxx - Als Gartenarchitekt ein Superstar: Louis Benech

A top landscape architect from France

French landscape architect Louis Benech works on projects the world over.
LifestyleMay 23, 201804:58 min
Bildergallerie zu Europas Parks und Gärten - Villa Liebermann

Europe's stunning parks and gardens

From quintessential baroque to urban gardening: Gardening passion in Europe covers it all.
TravelApril 19, 2018
external

Suspect arrested after car attack

August 10, 201700:19 min
Sendung Euromaxx - 26.07.2017 - Landschaftsarchitekt

A top landscape architect from France

French landscape architect Louis Benech works on projects the world over.
CultureJuly 29, 201704:55 min
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Macron pledges to transform France

The French president laid out his proposals to a rare joint session of parliament.
July 3, 201702:29 min
Frankreich Emmanuel Macron, vor Rede in Versailles

Macron wants to trim French parliament

Macron said streamlining parliament would allow laws to be drafted more quickly.
PoliticsJuly 3, 2017
Frankreich Pressekonferenz von Emmanuel Macron und Vladimir Putin in Versailles

No thaw: sober assessments of Putin's visit to France

Further frosty relations after French President Macron and Russian President Putin's first meeting, Russian experts say
PoliticsMay 31, 2017
Barbara Wesel Kommentarbild App *PROVISORISCH*

Between Putin and Macron, it's strictly business

Barbara Wesel
The French president was looking to temper expectations for Putin's first visit.
PoliticsMay 30, 2017
Emmanuel Macron und Wladimir Putin Bildkombo Kombi-Bild

Macron seeks fast-track connection with Putin

Despite rifts over Syria, Ukraine and cyber attacks, experts expect an intriguing round of talks.
PoliticsMay 25, 2017
Frankreich Gipfeltreffen Frankreich, Deutschland, Italien, Spanien in Versailles

Merkel backs idea of 'multispeed Europe'

The leaders of France, Germany, Spain and Italy urged a reform of the EU ahead of a key summit this month.
PoliticsMarch 7, 2017
Versaille 300. Todestag von Ludwig XIV.

On the trail of King Louis XIV

Even 300 years after his death French king Louis XIV is still fascinating.
CultureDecember 12, 2016

On the trail of King Louis XIV

Even 300 years after his death French king Louis XIV is still fascinating.
LifestyleDecember 11, 201604:42 min
01.2012 DW Euromaxx

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe | 11.12.2016

A ride on the Royal Scotsman luxury train, Barcelona with a blogger, and on the trail of King Louis XIV. 
CultureDecember 11, 2016
Jerome Kerviel

French 'rogue trader' must pay 1 mn euros

A French court has told Jerome Kerviel to pay 1 million euros to his former employer Societe Generale.
September 23, 2016
external

Versailles falls foul of furniture fakers

Palace of Versailles in Paris pays a fortune for fake furniture
BusinessSeptember 6, 201600:57 min
President Hollande in Versaille

Inside Europe: A cool breeze through Versailles

John Laurenson reports on the installation of air conditioning in the ancient palace of Versailles.
CultureApril 27, 201604:25 min
DW euromaxx Louis

Euromaxx - Highlights of the Week | 01.11.15

A special exhibition in Versailles, a food museum in London, beautiful Poland and innovative streaming platforms.
November 2, 2015
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Euromaxx - Highlights of the Week

In this edition: a special exhibition in Versailles, a food museum in London, beautiful Poland and innovative streaming platforms.
LifestyleNovember 1, 201526:07 min
Versaille Orangerie 300. Todestag von Ludwig XIV.

Adieu, Louis: France's royal deaths

French kings lived in luxury, but their deaths were just as spectacular.
CultureOctober 27, 20159 images
Anish Kapoor sculpture in Versailles, Copyright: picture-alliance/dpa/Y. Valat

Anish Kapoor sculpture vandalized

A controversial sculpture by artist Anish Kapoor in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles has been vandalized.
September 7, 2015
Portrait of France's King XIV, Copyright: public domain

Louis XIV: What France's Sun King did for art

He didn't care for politics, but Louis XIV left behind artistic treasures. He died 300 years ago this month.
September 2, 2015
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Euromaxx - Highlights of the Week

On this week's Euromaxx highlights: We meet German painter Georg Baselitz at the Art Biennale in Venice, take a stroll around the medieval city of Bruges in Belgium and take a look behind the scenes of some of Europes most successful food blogs.
LifestyleMay 17, 201526:02 min

What's new at Versailles Palace?

A landscape gardener and glass artist have teamed up to create this amazing new palace spectacle.
CultureMay 17, 201504:02 min
Touristen mit Selfie-Stick in Paris

Ban on selfie sticks in London

London's National Gallery and France's Versailles Palace ban selfie sticks used for taking photos.
March 11, 2015
Frankreich Festnahme nach Anschlag auf Jüdisches Museum Marseille

Nemmouche fights extradition

Mehdi Nemmouche has told a court in Versailles that he does not accept automatic extradition to Belgium on the basis of a European arrest warrant. His legal team wants any potential trial to take place in France.
June 5, 2014

Versailles cashes in on the perfume industry

How many new perfumes do you think were launched last year? 200? 600? The right answer is 1330. A record. The perfume industry is worth billions of dollars these days with every fashion house and celebrity launching a scent of their own. Now, the French city of Versailles is hoping to cash in on the trend. John Laurenson paid a visit and met a rose amid the thorns of consumerism.
September 8, 201304:53 min

Herrenchiemsee - Versailles in Bavaria

Versailles or Herrenchiemsee? Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between the two palaces. Their facades, hall of mirrors and staircases are very similar. But that was the idea. King Ludwig II of Bavaria wanted to imitate the Sun King, France's Louis XIV.
CultureAugust 31, 201303:34 min
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À la carte -Le Versailles brasserie in Limoges.

In der ältesten Brasserie von Limoges "Le Versailles" steht seit Jahrzehnten eine der bekanntesten regionalen Spezialitäten auf der Speisekarte: Rinderkotelett vom Limousin-Rind mit Sauce Bernaise. Ein einfaches Gericht, das durch die hohe Qualität des Fleisches geadelt wird.
LifestyleAugust 20, 201304:11 min
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À la carte -Le Versailles brasserie in Limoges.

.Traditional French cuisine is on today#s menu for euromaxx à la carte
LifestyleAugust 20, 201304:03 min
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18th Century Fashion Exhibition in Versailles

Top fashion designers often incorporate elements reminiscent of the lavish 18th century gowns and costumes worn by royals. In fact, sometimes it's hard to tell whether a garment is old or new. An exhibition in Versailles concludes that ceremonial dresses are actually more about art than fashion.
LifestyleAugust 11, 201103:40 min
Treaty of Versailles historical painting

Long-term debt

Germany is finally close to paying off its First World War debts, the state finance agency said.
December 3, 2009
Sarkozy arriving with National Assembly President Bernard Accoyer at the Palace of Versailles

Sarkozy address

The French president did not mince words in a historical speech on social and political issues.
June 22, 2009
Members of the National Assembly and Senate, gather at the Chateau de Versailles

Instead of a Referendum

A vote in the French Parliament set the stage for ratification of the EU reform treaty.
February 4, 2008

Merkel Dismisses French Threat in Cordial Meeting With Chirac

French and German leaders Jacques Chirac and Angela Merkel met Monday in the historic town of Versailles outside Paris, where discussions focused on the future of the EU and efforts to rein in Iran's nuclear program.
January 24, 2006

Great War Generation No Longer Around, Legacy Remains

Ninety years ago this weekend, the first, confused steps were taken to Europe's first bloody war of the 20th century. Not only would the Great War kill millions, it planted the seeds that would eventually start WWII.
August 1, 2004

Historians Split on German WWI Role

Aug. 1 marks the 90th anniversary of Kaiser Wilhelm II's declaration of war against Russia. But the role of imperial Germany in unleashing the horrors of World War I continues to divide historians nearly a century later.
July 29, 2004