New hotel fit for a king opens within the Palace of Versailles

by Sorcha O'Higgins | 05 Nov 2019 | Design

The unmistakable facade of the Palace of Versailles by Paris. (Photo by Anthony Choren via Unsplash)

Famed luxury brand Les Airelles will soon launch a fabulous new property in the heart of Versailles to give guests the chance to experience first hand the life of a French royal.

A one-of-a-kind hotel-within-a-palace is set to open in the spring of 2020.

Designed by Christophe Tollemer, Les Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle is the Palace of Versailles’ latest attraction and is sure to draw a crowd who want to experience what it was like to be French royalty.

We find out more.

A royal hotel in Versailles

Fans of French history and aristocracy in particular will delight in the newest offering from the Palace of Versailles.

The Palace has long been one of France’s biggest tourist attractions, but soon travellers will have an even better reason to visit this sprawling, impeccably manicured regal complex – a new hotel is set to open within its grounds early next year.

Le Grand Contrôle is a 14-key property nestled within the palace’s regal landscape and is a mix of suites and apartments that would have pleased even the most demanding royals, such as the palace’s former inhabitants Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.

The Gardens of Versailles. (Photo by Armand Khoury on Unsplash)

The epitome of luxurious design

Le Grand Contrôle is the latest addition to the Les Airelles luxury brand’s portfolio, which already includes properties in Courchevel, Provence and Val d’Isère, some of which form part of the Leading Hotels of The World collection.

Famed designer Christophe Tollemer, who has a long history of producing opulent interiors for Les Airelles, was enlisted to take the helm of the project at Le Grand Contrôle, which has been designed in a decadent eighteenth-century style.

A night spent in the hotel will take guests on a “unique journey through time to the Age of Enlightenment and the court of the Kingdom of France”, according to the hotel’s website.

Guests of Le Grand Contrôle will have unparalleled access to the palace’s attractions, including panoramic views out over the Orangerie and the Pièce d’Eau des Suisses, and proximity to the Hall of Mirrors and the exquisite gardens.

In addition, there will be a restaurant headed up by Alain Ducasse, and a state-of-the-art spa, where guests can relax and rejuvenate after a long day of walking the grounds.