L'Histoire au château

Venue

Château de Versailles

Address

Auditorium, Château de Versailles, Place d'Armes 78000 Versailles France

Dates and Times

Starting November 5, 2025, and continuing monthly on the first Wednesday of each month. Specific dates: November 5 & 12, December 3, January 7, February 4, March 18, April 8, May 6. Hours: 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Each course lasts 1 hour, followed by 15 minutes of discussion with the audience.

Prices and Tickets

Free upon reservation. Reduced price: €8 for eligible individuals. Free admission: check all conditions for free entry.

Activity Description

The Palace of Versailles offers a new monthly series of history courses dedicated to the reign of Louis XIV. These courses, held in the Château's auditorium, cover major themes such as diplomacy, taxation, and religion, providing an alternative way to discover one of the most emblematic reigns of the French monarchy. Each session is led by a recognized specialist.

The curriculum explores:

• The functioning of royal power and the logic of absolute monarchy.
• The evolution of the kingdom's diplomacy and geopolitics, including military conflicts and periods of peace.
• How the king financed his authority through taxation.
• The complex relationship between the king, religion, and the Church.
• The flourishing of arts and sciences, making Versailles a major cultural and intellectual hub in Europe.
• The hierarchical structure of society and interactions between different classes of the Ancien Régime's socio-economic system.
• An analysis of the crises and revolts that shook the kingdom, revealing social and political tensions during Louis XIV's time.

Each course is an autonomous entity but forms part of a coherent whole, concluding with a Q&A session.

Language

French

Suitability

Open to everyone aged 16 to 96. Aimed at curious non-initiates wishing to discover French history from the perspective of specialist historians.