Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles)

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited sites in France and famous for its immense size. The palace began as a ‘modest’ hunting lodge, built by Louis XIII in 1623, and was transformed by the architect Jules Hardouin Mansart under the guidance of Louis XIII’s son, Louis XIV, into a grand palace complex surrounded by lavish gardens designed by André Le Nôtre. Louis XIV was so taken with the palace that by 1682 it had become the official residence of the court of France and a lavish statement of monarchical power. Today, visitors are still able to view much of the palace, including the renowned 75m (250ft) Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors), where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, signifying the end of World War I.