The Hall of Mirrors is the room everyone pictures when they think of Versailles. It runs along the garden front of the palace for about seventy-three metres, lined on one side with seventeen tall windows and on the other with mirrored arches, 357 mirrors in all, which in the seventeenth century were a spectacular luxury. The ceiling paintings by Charles Le Brun celebrate the early reign of Louis XIV, and crystal chandeliers and gilded sculpture complete the effect. Louis XIV used the gallery for audiences and court ceremony, and later history made it famous again: the German Empire was proclaimed here in 1871, and the Treaty of Versailles that ended the First World War was signed in the hall on 28 June 1919. It is part of every standard palace ticket, so this entry is for visitors who want to understand the room properly. A guided tour with priority entry is a good choice here, because the guide times the visit and explains the symbolism that the room is built to carry.
Why a guide helps
The Hall of Mirrors is easy to walk through and hard to read. The mirrors were made in France to prove that the kingdom no longer needed Venice for glass, and the ceiling programme is an argument that the king rules by divine favour. A guide places those messages, points out the doors to the State Apartments and shows how the hall connects the King's Apartments to the Queen's, which makes the rest of the palace easier to follow.
How to see it at its best: arrive for the first slot of the day, when the gallery is calm and the light from the garden windows is clear. Late morning, weekends and school holidays are crowded, and the hall can fill with phones and tour groups. Look up at the ceiling, then at the garden through the windows, and turn around to see the mirrors reflect the view back to you. Photographs are allowed, but the best images come from standing near the middle and waiting for gaps in the crowd.
Good to know
The Hall of Mirrors is inside the palace, so the usual rules apply, which means timed entry, closed Mondays, last entry at 16:45 in low season and a short wait at the security check. The gallery was restored in the 2000s and looks bright and complete, but individual rooms can close for events, so check the booking page for the day. If you prefer to explore without a guide, a standard ticket with an audio guide will take you through the same room.
What to expect
The experience
A walk through the seventy-three-metre gallery as part of the palace route, best with a guide who explains the ceiling, the mirrors and the 1919 treaty.
Best time
The first slot of the morning, before tour groups and school visits fill the gallery.
How long
About an hour for the gallery and the apartments around it; the full palace takes around three.
Tips
Book a timed guided slot, arrive early, look up at the Le Brun ceiling and note that the palace is closed on Mondays.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-timers and photographers who want the room explained and the least crowded view.
- Families
- Older children enjoy the story of the treaty and the mirrors; younger ones do better with a short visit and a promise of the gardens afterwards.
- Couples
- Go first thing, then step out through the garden door for a walk once the visit is done.
- Pair with
- The State Apartments, the Royal Chapel and a stroll along the Grand Canal.
- Time needed
- One hour for the hall and its neighbouring rooms.
Good questions
How long is the Hall of Mirrors?+
It is about seventy-three metres long, with seventeen windows on one side and 357 mirrors on the other. The ceiling paintings are by Charles Le Brun.
Is the Hall of Mirrors included in a standard palace ticket?+
Yes. It is on the normal palace route, so any palace ticket gets you in. This guided entry is for visitors who want priority entry and the room explained.
What happened in the Hall of Mirrors?+
The German Empire was proclaimed there in 1871, and the Treaty of Versailles was signed there on 28 June 1919. Before that, Louis XIV used it for court audiences and ceremony.
When is the Hall of Mirrors least crowded?+
Early on a weekday, in the first slot after opening. Weekends, late mornings and school holidays are the busiest.
Can I visit the Hall of Mirrors on a Monday?+
No, the palace is closed on Mondays, so choose a Tuesday to Sunday. Check the booking page for event closures on your date.
