After wandering the palace with an audio guide in hand, one question remains: what did it truly feel like to live within these gilded walls? What stirred in the minds of royals as they strolled through sculpted gardens, pausing in the hush of manicured hedges? And whose gaze met theirs in the endless reflections of the Hall of Mirrors — past, present, or imagined?

Of course, there are memoirs, period films, and history books. You might even arrive well-prepared — culturally immunized, so to speak. A knowledgeable guide may reveal the subtleties of court life, details invisible to most.

Yet even the finest storytelling can’t replicate the gentle pressure of a corset, the delicate flavor of a royal feast, or the lingering trace of century-old French perfume. And still… something stirs.

LE GRAND CONTRÔLE, a hotel located within the very grounds of the Palace of Versailles, offers guests the chance to step into the everyday world of royalty and truly immerse themselves in the spirit of Versailles.

Private, after-hours palace tours, horseback rides through royal grounds, exquisite dinners in historically accurate 18th-century attire, and a host of other refined experiences are woven together with a rich cultural program.

Every moment is steeped in elegant ceremony — you may even want to brush up on your curtsies and courtly bows. If you've ever been fascinated by the life of the French nobility and longed to feel like a king or queen of France, LE GRAND CONTRÔLE is exactly what you've been looking for.

Reach out to the Descartes team to reserve your experience — with privileged access, personalised care, and every detail shaped around you.