Until 15 February 2026 The Grand Dauphin (1661-1711), Son of a king, father of a king, but never a king

Louis de france

Born in 1661 at the château de Fontainebleau, Louis de France was the first son of Louis XIV and Maria Theresa of Spain. During his lifetime as Dauphin, he was called “Monseigneur”, but was given the name “Grand Dauphin” after his death in 1711, to distinguish him from his son, the Duke of Burgundy.

This heir to the crown died prematurely of smallpox in April 1711 at the château de Meudon, four years before his father. His eldest son, the Duke of Burgundy, died a year later, leaving behind two children. The eldest child, the two-year-old Duke of Anjou, became the dauphin and acceded to the throne in 1715 after the death of Louis XIV under the name Louis XV. Although the Grand Dauphin did not reign, he remains a key figure in the Bourbon dynasty: grandfather to Louis XV, great-great-grandfather to Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and Charles X, and father of Philip V, first sovereign of the Spanish branch of the Bourbons, which still reigns to this day.

The Grand Dauphin’s entire life was spent preparing to be king and he received a rigorous education in the arts, war and government. His life was summed up by Saint-Simon in the famous formula:

« Son of a king, father of a king, but never a king. »

It embodies the paradox of a prince who was trained to rule, but was never crowned.

Aside from his political duties, the Grand Dauphin also developed a keen taste for the arts and the pleasures of the court. He was an avid collector and assembled a large number of works of art, some of which will be exhibited for the first time due to exceptional loans, notably from the Prado Museum in Madrid.

The exhibition, created with the exceptional participation of the BnF Museum, turns the spotlight on what it meant to be the Dauphin of France under the Ancien Régime by retracing the major stages of the life of the Grand Dauphin. It is presented in three sections mirroring Saint Simon’s formula, and explores his education as a prince, his life at court, and his involvement in affairs of state.

This exhibition is held under the patronage of Mr Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic. 

Some 250 works from French and international public and private collections illustrate every aspect of his life. Paintings, sculptures, objets d’art and manuscripts retrace the life of this prince whom Louis XIV believed would be his worthy successor.

Download the exhibition booklet Discover the exhibition catalogue

activity booklet

From 7 years old

Le Petit Léonard, in partnership with the Palace of Versailles, has designed a activity booklet inviting children aged 7 and over to discover the life and legacy of the Grand Dauphin. Richly illustrated, this booklet combines fun and learning: questions, puzzles and games encourage active and playful exploration of the exhibition.

The activity booklet is available in digital format:

Download the activity booklet

Curator

Curator: Lionel Arsac, Heritage Curator, Public Establishment of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles. 

patronage

The exhibition is produced with the exceptional participation of the National Library of France.

The exhibition has been made possible thanks to the patronage of Free - Iliad Group and Hubert and Mireille Goldschmidt.

partners

practical information

Dates: from 14 October 2025 to 15 February 2026.
Opening times: view all opening times, closed on Mondays, 25 December and 1 January.
Venue: exhibition rooms in the North Wing of the Palace

tickets and tours

Palace ticket

This ticket gives you access to the Palace.

21 €

Buy

Palace ticket

This ticket gives you access to the Palace.

21 €

Read more

Palace ticket

This ticket guarantees access to the palace of Versailles. Book online and enter to the Palace in the half hour following the chosen time.

• the Palacewith timed entry;
• the temporary exhibitions in the Palace;
• the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend); 
• the Royal Tennis Court;
• the Gardens (from 1 November to 30 March only) - to access the Gardens before 1 November, you need a Passport ticket or a Gardens ticket;
• the Park.

The Passportguarantees access to the Estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and their Gardens).

Tickets can also be purchased on site subject to availability.

Rates

21 €Acheter

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles.

25 €

Buy

22 €

Buy

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles.

25 €

Read more

Passport

This ticket gives access to the whole estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and the Gardens). Book online and enter to the Palace in the half hour following the chosen time.

It includes :

• the Palacewith timed entry;
• the estate of Trianon;
• the temporary exhibitions;
• the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend); 
• the Royal Tennis Court;
• the Gardens (until 31 October, single admission during the Musical Gardens or Musical Fountains Show, ticket valid for one entry);
• the Park.

To make the most of the Estate of Versailles, the Gardens are open from 8am, the Estate of Trianon from 12pm, the Gallery of Coaches from 12.30pm.

Standard price

25 €Acheter

Reduced rate

22 €Acheter

mobile app & audioguide

A tour guide and audioguide are available on the official palace app. We advise you to download the free mobile app before you arrive and to open it to load the exhibition tour in advance.