The 17th-century Palace of Versailles is due to get a long-awaited hotel. The grand estate and grounds built by King Louis XIV are some of France's eternally popular tourist attractions, but the majority of visitors who come to Versailles often do so as a day trip from Paris due to a lack of hotels in the area. No longer: the palace's management is seeking an outside partner who will transform three buildings on the property into accommodations. The buildings, which date from the 1680s, are just outside of the Versailles gates (about 200 yards from the palace) and have been in need of renovations for several years.
Update 4/5/2016: Not only is Versailles getting a luxe hotel, it's getting a world-class restaurant. France-based LOV Hotel Collection has won the contract for the Versailles hotel, while French chef Alain Ducasse will be opening an as-yet-unnamed restaurant on the property. The total cost of fixing up the old buildings and converting them into a hotel is expected to cost €14 million, with an estimated opening date in 2018 (not this year, which was the original hope). LOV has indicated that they plan to go with a traditional 18th-century look for the decor. Mark your calendars.
There have been rumors about Versailles hotels before; one nearly came to fruition in 2012. The most recent information says that the on-site property will be called the Hôtel Du Grand Contrôle, a five-star hotel with 23 rooms. Potential partners have until September 14 to make their bids, with a planned opening date sometime in 2016.
Versailles' expansion into hotels isn't surprising considering that many other luxurious estates are opening up tourist accommodations as a money-making venture. Two small lodgings opened up on Queen Elizabeth's Sandringham estate in England this spring, and Highclere Castle, which "plays" the titular estate on Downton Abbey,opened an on-site guesthouse in time for Valentine's Day.
This post was originally published in August 2015. It has been updated with new information.
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