October 18th 2022 - February 19th 2023 Louis XV
Passions of a king

For the 300th anniversary of the coronation of King Louis XV, the Palace of Versailles is paying homage with an exceptional exhibition. Through more than 400 works, discover Louis XV beyond his function as monarch and learn more about his passions, his family life and his influence on the arts of his time.

the exhibition

Born in 1710 in Versailles, Louis XV was the son of the Duke of Burgundy and Marie-Adélaïde of Savoy, as well as the great-grandson of Louis XIV. Heir apparent after the death of his father, he became king at the tender age of five after the death of the Sun King on 1 September 1715. 

A private man

The exhibition opens with an introduction to Louis XV as a man, looking back on his relations with his family and his entourage. 
His childhood, marked by grief, contrasts with his later life with his large family, where he delighted in his role as a father. Women also occupied a central place in the King’s life -- not only his wife  Marie Leszczynska, but also his many mistresses, some of whom left their own mark on the period. The exhibition also explores Louis XV’s discreet, melancholy nature, a man who preferred the intimacy of his private apartments. There, he received his inner circle, who enjoyed his every confidence.

The King’s tastes and passions

The tour continues with Louis XV’s passion for sciences, botany and hunting, as well as architecture, and the influence of all these fields on his reign.
His curiosity and insatiable thirst for knowledge drove him to fund long sea voyages, transform Trianon into a garden full of botanical experiments, commission cutting-edge scientific tools and order the mapping of the kingdom.

Louis XV and the arts of his time

The final section of the exhibition shows how the arts flourished during the reign of the “Well-Beloved”. 
Multiple masterpieces of rococo art, liberated from formal rules of symmetry, introduce the public to the foundations of this style, which transformed artistic creation in the 18th century.

This exhibition benefits from the loan of works from the Museum national d'Histoire naturelle.

Virtual tour 

Discover all the works of this exhibition in a unique scenography thanks to the 360° photo technology. An immersive experience, to discover the passions of Louis XV.

curators

Yves Carlier, Chief Heritage Curator at the Musée National des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon.

Hélène Delalex, Heritage Curator at the Musée National des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon.

Late-openings

From 15 to 19 February 2023, enjoy the exhibition "Louis XV, Passions of a King" during exceptional evening visits (the exhibition closes at 10pm). 

Late-openings - Exhibition "Louis XV, Passions of a king"

Explore the exhibition during exceptional late-opening hours on a fine winter’s evening.

Secrets, passions, a taste for the arts: come and discover the man...
Read more

Explore the exhibition during exceptional late-opening hours on a fine winter’s evening.

Secrets, passions, a taste for the arts: come and discover the man behind the monarch through many masterpieces, some of which are on show for the first time in France.
Who was the real Louis XV? A king with a passion for science? A lover of women? A shy and reserved man? The story of the private life of this French king is relatively little known. To mark the 300^th anniversary of his coronation, the Palace of Versailles is dedicating its first major exhibition to the life and character of the king they called “the Beloved”.

This ticket only gives access to the exhibition at night, within half an hour of the chosen time (the exhibition closes at 10pm).

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Rates

14,50 € Buy

Late-openings - Exhibition "Louis XV, Passions of a king"

Who was the real Louis XV? A king with a passion for science? A lover of women? A shy and reserved man?

14,50 €

Read more

Late-openings - Exhibition "Louis XV, Passions of a king"

Explore the exhibition during exceptional late-opening hours on a fine winter’s evening.

Secrets, passions, a taste for the arts: come and discover the man behind the monarch through many masterpieces, some of which are on show for the first time in France.
Who was the real Louis XV? A king with a passion for science? A lover of women? A shy and reserved man? The story of the private life of this French king is relatively little known. To mark the 300^th anniversary of his coronation, the Palace of Versailles is dedicating its first major exhibition to the life and character of the king they called “the Beloved”.

This ticket only gives access to the exhibition at night, within half an hour of the chosen time (the exhibition closes at 10pm).

Rates

14,50 € Buy

Timetable for the last returns to Paris by public transport

From Versailles Chantiers to Gare Montparnasse (line N): last return at 00.31 am*

From Versailles Rive Droite to Gare Saint-Lazare (line L): last return at 00.15 am*

From Versailles Château Rive Gauche to Paris (line C): last return at 11.55 pm*

* Schedules subject to change by RATP or SNCF

Selection of works

in connection with the exhibition

The podcast

On the occasion of the Louis XV exhibition, a fictional serialised podcast will explore the “Bien-Aimé's” passion for the sciences.
Coming soon here and on all podcast platforms. 

The audio trail

When visiting the exhibition, discover the audio trail available on the Palace audioguide and mobile application. 

Allegorical portrait of Louis XV

exhibition patrons

With the patronage of: 

The restoration of the Passemant Astronomical Clock was completed thanks to the patronage of Rolex.
The Passemant Microscope was acquired by the Palace of Versailles thanks to the support of L’Oréal.

media partners 

With the media partnership of : 

practical information

The exhibition will be held at the Palace of Versailles from 18 October 2022 to 19 February 2023. The exhibition opening hours are the same as the Palace of Versailles opening hours.

Opening times and access

The exhibition can be accessed with the “Passport” or “Palace” ticket.

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles.

28,50 €

Buy

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles.

28,50 €

Read more

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and the gardens). Book online and enter to the Palace in the half hour following the chosen time.

It includes :

• the Palace with timed entry;
• the estate of Trianon;
• the temporary exhibitions;
• the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend); 
• the Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery (every weekend);
• the Musical Gardens or Musical Fountains Show in the Gardens;
• the Park.

To make the most of the Estate of Versailles, the Gardens are open from 8am, the Estate of Trianon from 10am. in July and August, the Gallery of Coaches from 12.30pm.

Please note that the opening hours of the groves are different from the opening hours for water and music. Please check in advance on this page.

The Gardens close exceptionally at 5:30 p.m. on days of Night Fountains Shows from June to September as well as Friday July 14, Tuesday August 15 and Saturday September 23. The Passport ticket with timed entry does not guarantee access to the Night Fountains shows.

Ticket valid for one entry into the Gardens, through the Honour Courtyard of the Palace or the gates of Little Venice, the Menagerie, Neptune or the Dragon. Please note that a second entry is possible, but only through a different gate than the one used for the first entry.

Tickets can be purchased on site subject to availability.

Rates on Musical Gardens and Fountains Show days

28,50 € Buy

Palace ticket

This ticket gives you access to the Palace.

19,50 €

Buy

Palace ticket

This ticket gives you access to the Palace.

19,50 €

Read more

Palace ticket

This ticket guarantees access to the palace of Versailles. Book online and enter to the Palace in the half hour following the chosen time.

• the Palace with timed entry;
• the temporary exhibitions;
• the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend); 
• the Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery (every weekend);
• the Park.

In order for you to make the most of the Estate of Versailles, the Gardens are open from 8am, the Estate of Trianon from 12pm., the Gallery of Coaches from 12.30pm.

From April 1^st, the Palace Gardens are only accessible on days when Musical Fountains Shows or Musical Gardens are not in session. The Passport guarantees access to the Estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and their Gardens).

Tickets can be purchased on site subject to availability.

Rates

19,50 € Buy