Experience Versailles in Virtual Reality

The Palace of Versailles is offering a virtual reality experience with the application “Experience Versailles”, created with Fondation Orange, which allows visitors to relive the visit by the Ambassador of Siam to the Court of Louis XIV in 1686 and the Yew Ball held by Louis XV.

Let yourself be guided ...

Place the headset over your eyes, pick up the controller … and enjoy a unique and fully immersive experience in the Versailles of the 17th and 18th centuries ! Travel through different locations in the Palace thanks to the freedom offered by virtual reality, approach members of the French Court around you and let yourself be guided by history ! From the Royal Courtyard to the Hall of Mirrors via the King's Apartments, the King's Private apartments or the splendid Ambassadors’ staircase, which no longer exists, “Experience Versailles” allows an approach like no other to the palace of Versailles.

Select which action you want to carry out with one hand and learn more thanks to the virtual book held in the other. Visiting the Versailles of bygone times has never been so easy!

Discover and learn …

The experience, available in French and English, is surprisingly educational : visitors can learn more about the life of certain figures – from courtiers to Louis XIV via the famous architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart or Madame de Pompadour – or discover interesting details about the life of the French sovereigns.The “Ambassador of Siam, 1686” experience provides the opportunity to discover or rediscover behind-the-scenes action during the reception of these visitors from afar, and get close up to one of the most emblematic receptions held in the Century of the Sun King. Designed in direct connection with the exhibition Visitors to Versailles. 1682-1789, the experience allows visitors to go a step further in their approach to the visit from these extraordinary ambassadors to Louis XIV.

The second experience, “Yew Ball, 1745” allows the user to discover the sumptuous masked ball held by Louis XV, as well as discover the Palace of Versailles by night and ponder which costume the sovereign wore at this spectacular event. Sneak among the guests and enter the private apartments to find out the curious costume chosen by the King.

The experiences, which include interactive moments with the user, allow you to get a closer view of the daily life of courtiers and discover their habits and duties. Become a member of the French Court in the blink of an eye ! 

The "Experience Versailles" application, which includes both experiences, is also available as a free download, and works with virtual reality hardware such as HTC Vive or Oculus Rift.

Discover Experience Versailles

Partnership

After the MOOC called “Louis XIV à Versailles” and the creation of the Gardens of Versailles, visitor app, the Palace of Versailles and Fondation Orange have come together once again in a partnership based on the creation of new experiences. Over the past years, Orange has been working with multiple cultural establishments on projects that place digital technology at the service of culture. In doing so, Orange confirms its commitment to the creation and distribution of digital tools to all, with the aim of popularising access to culture and knowledge.

https://www.fondationorange.com/