Palace of Versailles
Can you describe the Palace of Versailles in ten words or less… golden, decadent, sumptuous, grand, extravagant, ordered, beautiful, breathtaking, majestic and intricate? Are these any of the words you would have chosen to describe what started out as a king’s hunting lodge, became the seat of power and is now a museum of French history?
Chateau Versailles was a world of golden decadence exhibiting the latest in building techniques and materials, fabric and furniture production and extending the known boundaries of landscaping and horticulture. Versailles showcased France’s wealth and importance to the world at the time.
Palace of Versailles Exhibition at the National Gallery, Canberra
Full of priceless art and treasures, the Palace and its gardens are visited by more than 7.5 million people a year. And right now the National Gallery of Australia located in the capital of Australia, Canberra, is holding the ‘Versailles: Treasures from the Palace’ exhibition. The exhibition will continue until April 2017. On display are more than 130 paintings, gilded furniture, intricate tapestries, monumental statues and personal china and other items belonging to Marie Antoinette.
The top 5 reasons to visit this exhibition in Canberra
- Visitor numbers attending the exhibition in Canberra are much lower than those visiting Versailles, France.
- Access to exhibited items is not as restricted in Canberra, and by getting up close, you can see the fine details of the china, paintings, fabric and tapestries.
- The National Art Gallery has many other exhibits that are worth visiting while you are at the Versailles exhibition.
- Canberra is an easy city to navigate, find accommodation and park your car making your visit a stressless one.
- Taking a bit of France home is easy to do with the delightful merchandise in the NGA Versailles gift shop. Books, china, scarfs, note papers, children’s toys, jewellery, clothing, perfume and even champagne should have you finding something special to bring home.
Even if you have toured Chateau Versailles in France, the intimacy of this exhibition and the ability to closely see the items on exhibition, is just one reason to travel to Canberra and check this out.
When I went to this exhibition with my friend Amber last weekend, I also enjoyed the International Art Hall and the Artists of the Great War exhibition (on until June 2017). Claude Monet’s Waterlilies 1914-17 was my favourite from the International Art Hall.
Marie Antoinette High Tea at the National Gallery, Canberra
But what was truely the highlight of the visit to the National Gallery was the Marie Antoinette High Tea event. This event was part of the overall festivities associated with the Versailles exhibition and was a lovely occasion to meet new people whilst being serenaded by a harpist.
Does Canberra and the ‘Versailles: Treasures from the Palace’ exhibition sound appealing to you? If you are unable to get to Versailles in France yourself, or you have visited the Palace already, but want to view the exhibition items up close, then a trip to Canberra is a good idea.
Visit Chateau Versailles with A French Collection
If you can get to France then The Palace of Versailles holds concerts, operas, masked balls, firework displays and historical events as well as Chateau and garden tours. The official Chateau Versailles website has more information and you can purchase tickets well in advance if you want to attend a special event.
A French Collection also offers 7 day tours to Paris for women. Our tours are small, unhurried, elegant and we explore the hidden treasures of Paris that the locals know and love. We also visit Paris’ classic sites that you’ve been dreaming of. Get a beautiful brochure and find out more here on our Classic Paris Tours.
