Event Versailles and the American Independence 1776-2026

The American Season at Versailles – 250 Years of Friendship Between Two Nations

In 1776, as the American colonies declared their independence, Versailles stood at the heart of global diplomacy. A few years later, Louis XVI chose to support the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin won over the Court of Versailles, and the young Marquis de La Fayette set sail for the New World, driven by a desire for liberty that would help shape the history of both nations.

Two and a half centuries later, the Palace of Versailles commemorates this defining chapter through a dedicated programme of events.

The Captain of the Guards’ Apartment

To mark this anniversary, the Captain of the Guards’ Apartment will open to visitors on the 4^th of July. This new exhibition route traces the relationship between Versailles and the United States, from the War of Independence to the present day. Bringing together paintings, sculptures, and portraits from the Palace’s collections, it pays tribute to the leading figures and ideals that shaped this pivotal period in history.

Virtual Reality Experience: Light of Liberty

This virtual reality experience invites visitors to cross the Atlantic alongside the Marquis de La Fayette. From the ocean voyage to the American plains, from his meeting with Washington to the battlefields, it faithfully retraces the young French general’s defining journey and France’s commitment to the cause of liberty.

Located at the Orléans Pavilion, the experience is available with the Passport Ticket + VR option, which also includes priority access to the Palace.

Passport + VR Ticket “Light of Liberty”

Step into the heart of a historic event!
To mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence, dive in a unique and interactive virtual reality experience at the heart of the American Revolution.

42 €

Buy

Passport + VR Ticket “Light of Liberty”

Step into the heart of a historic event!
To mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence, dive in a unique and interactive virtual reality experience at the heart of the American Revolution.

42 €

Read more

Passport + VR Ticket “Light of Liberty”

Step into the heart of a historic event!
 
To mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence, dive in a unique and interactive virtual reality experience at the heart of the American Revolution.
 
For 15 minutes, meet le Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and other iconic figures and take part via interactive displays to spectacular naval battles, diplomatic discussions and diverse happenings and discover keys of the Revolution and its close ties with Versailles.
 
This ticket includes skip-the-line access to the Palace, after your immersive experience.

This ticket includes admission to: 
-the VR experience “Light of Liberty” (at the selected time slot)
-the Palace  (with skip-the-line access immediately with the VR experience)
-the Estate of Trianon: the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon, and the Queen’s Hamlet (open from 12:00 p.m.
-the gardens, including on Musical Fountains Show and Musical Gardens days
(open all day)
-the temporary exhibitions presented in these areas.

Skip-the-Line Access « Passport + VR » ticket

42 €Réserver

“Light of Liberty” VR Experience

Step into the heart of a historic event!
To mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence, dive in a unique and interactive virtual reality experience at the heart of the American Revolution.

7 €Buy

“Light of Liberty” VR Experience

Step into the heart of a historic event!
To mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence, dive in a unique and interactive virtual reality experience at the heart of the American Revolution.

7 €

Read more

“Light of Liberty” VR Experience

Step into the heart of a historic event!
To mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence, dive in a unique and interactive virtual reality experience at the heart of the American Revolution.

For 15 minutes, meet le Marquis de Lafayette, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and other iconic figures and take part via interactive displays to spectacular naval battles, diplomatic discussions and diverse happenings and discover keys of the Revolution and its close ties with Versailles.

7 €Réserver

The Night Fountains Show – 4^th of July Special Edition

On the 4^th of July, the Royal Gardens of the Palace of Versailles will host an exceptional evening featuring a special display of its fountains and ornamental pools. Basins that are usually closed to the public will come to life in a unique nocturnal choreography created in tribute to the Franco-American alliance.

To bring the evening to a spectacular close, the pyrotechnic artists of Groupe F, renowned masters of their craft, will present a royal firework display along the Grand Perspective of the park.

Buy a Night Fountains Show ticket

Historical reenactment at Trianon

On the 4^th and 5^th of July 2026, the lawns of the Trianon Estate will become the stage for a major historical reenactment, bringing together several hundred participants in period costume to retrace the defining moments of the Franco-American alliance. Military encampments, demonstrations of Revolutionary-era tactics, and reenactments of diplomatic encounters will bring this shared history to life over two days. La Fayette was once welcomed here as a hero; today, this very ground provides the setting for a tribute to the enduring bonds between France and the United States.

Buy a America and Versailles ticket

Podcast: La Fayette and the American War of Independence

While La Fayette fought in America, his wife Adrienne remained in France, close to the Court of Versailles. Through the letters exchanged between the couple from 1776 to 1784, a different perspective on the American War of Independence emerges: that of a woman who also played a significant historical role in the Revolution, and whose correspondence reveals both a deep personal attachment and a shared ideal. This podcast explores the earliest ties forged between Versailles and the United States and will be available from June 27 in both French and English on all major listening platforms.

Cryptors in the city

Through a unique trail across the Estate, the Cryptors in the City app invites visitors to hunt for iconic figures connected to the history of Versailles and the American War of Independence. By photographing the “Cryptors” hidden throughout the site, visitors can expand their digital collection while unlocking cultural content dedicated to each historical figure they encounter.

Each discovery grants access to an interactive quiz and AI-powered conversations with the historical characters, offering a new way to explore their stories and legacy.

The "Cryptors in the City" app is available on Google Play and the App Store.