Versailles' Colonial History - Guided Tour
- Ages 12+
A tour through the depictions of colonization in the decors of the Palace and the life of the people from the colonies at court.
Date and time
Location
Château de Versailles
Place Léon Gambetta 78000 Versailles FranceRefund Policy
About this event
« To All Glories of France » : those words are written since 1837 under the pediments of the Palace of Versailles. But what are they really referring to?
Through the State Apartements and rooms of the former Museum of French History, this tour deals with the functionning of the French colonial empire, from the French India Companies to the « Black Policy », and aims at showing the way colonisation influences the decor of the Palace, from the furniture to the ceilings, from Louis XIV to Louis-Philippe.
It also explores the life of the people from the colonies who lived in France and at court between the enactment of the « Black Code » and the Revolution, from the anonymous portrait models to the famous Chevalier de Saint-Georges.
This tour lasts 1h30. It includes the State Apartements of the King and Queen, the Hall of Mirrors, the Coronation Room, the room of 1792 and the Hall of Battles. Visitors are free to visit the rest of the Palace on their own after the tour.
Warning: this tour is about racism, slavery and other forms of violence, it may not be suited for all audiences.
Accessibility: the tour can be difficult to follow for people with reduced mobility or agoraphobia (stairs, long walk, standing for long periods, crowds, narrow passages). The access for wheelchair users demands a few changes in the tour. Feel free to contact me for further information.
Frequently asked questions
the tour can be difficult to follow for people with reduced mobility or agoraphobia (stairs, long walk, standing for long periods, crowds, narrow passages). The access for wheelchair users demands a few changes in the tour. Feel free to contact me for further information before booking.
This tour deals with racism, slavery and violence. Its content may not be suited for all audiences and is not adapted for young children.
The ticket you buy on Eventbrite allows an entrance in the Palace through the group access with the guide at the tour's starting time. You are free to roam the palace as you wish at the end of the tour. The ticket DOES NOT include : access to the gardens, fountain shows, estate of Trianon.
The tour lasts around 2 hours. The exact duration can vary according to the affluence of the day and potential delays at the door of the Palace due to security checks.
The meeting point with the guide is near the Royal Chapel and the Chapel's Gate (at the corner of the Place Léon-Gambetta and Rue Robert-de-Cotte in Versailles). It is very important to arrive to the meeting point early or exactly on time.
This tour is in English. For a tour in French or German, you can ask me directly by writing to clement.nivat-guide@outlook.com
This tour can have 10 participants maximum.
Sadly, no refund is possible as the guide has to book the entrance tickets for the Palace in advance and can not get refunds. If you can not come, try to give your ticket to a friend!
It is very important to be at the meeting point around 20 minutes before the tour starts. This tour starts at 9:20 a.m. The meeting time is 9 a.m.
If you are running late, please warn the guide as early as possible. Direct phone number will be sent to the participants per email a few days before the tour. Sadly, the guide can not wait for you if you arrive after 9:20 a.m. and you won't be able to use your ticket to enter the Palace.
Organized by
Guide-conférencier diplômé d'histoire de l'art, je vous propose de (re)découvrir Versailles et ses environs au travers de visites guidées originales.