What is the Private King’s Apartment Tour at Versailles?

The Private King's Apartment Tour at Versailles offers exclusive access to the private chambers of King Louis XV and Louis XVI, areas not included in the standard ticket. The tour is led by an expert guide and includes rooms such as the king’s library, dining room, and clock room.

How do I book the Private King’s Apartment Tour?

You can book the tour through the official Château de Versailles website or through authorized tour providers. Due to limited availability, it’s best to book in advance.

Is the Private King’s Apartment Tour included with a standard Versailles ticket?

No, the Private King’s Apartment Tour is a separate, guided experience and is not included with general admission. It must be booked as an additional experience.

How long does the Private King’s Apartment Tour last?

The tour typically lasts about 1 hour and is conducted in small groups for a more personalized and immersive experience.

Is photography allowed during the tour?

Yes, photography is generally allowed, but flash and tripods are not permitted. It's best to confirm with your guide at the start of the tour.

Inside The King's Private Apartments At The Palace Of Versailles

Inside the King’s Private Apartments at the Palace of Versailles: A Behind-the-Scenes Look for the Intentional Traveler

If you’re planning a trip to Versailles, you’re probably already picturing golden gates, the Hall of Mirrors, and maybe a photo or two twirling in the gardens.

But if you’re anything like me, you crave the quieter, behind-the-scenes moments too — the ones that make you feel like you’re stepping directly into history.

That’s where the King’s Private Apartments tour comes in.

This exclusive guided experience gives you access to areas of the palace not open to the general public. It’s the perfect add-on for travelers who want to dig deeper, avoid the biggest crowds, and walk in the (very polished) footsteps of Louis XV and Louis XVI.

Table of Contents

The Vestibule de l’Escalier Louis-Philippe at the Palace of Versailles, France, featuring arched doorways, classical columns, and soft natural light illuminating the elegant stone architecture — a transitional space of grace and symmetry — The Vestibule de l’Escalier Louis-Philippe

What Are the King’s Private Apartments?

While the State Apartments were all about ceremony and public life, the King’s Private Apartments were where the monarchs actually lived. These spaces are smaller, more intimate, and filled with personal touches you won’t find anywhere else in the palace. They reveal a very human side of Versailles—and they’re stunning.

Key Rooms in the King’s Private Apartments

The King’s Private Apartments at the Palace of Versailles offer an intimate glimpse into the personal lives of French monarchs, distinct from the grandeur of the State Apartments.

These rooms, accessible only through guided tours, showcase the evolution of royal tastes and the desire for private spaces away from the formal court life.

These rooms offer a much deeper understanding of life at Versailles, and for anyone with a passion for French history or interiors (raises hand), they’re unforgettable.

Cabinet des Chiens (The Dog’s Room)

Yes, the king’s dogs had their own room—complete with paneling and all the luxury you’d expect from Versailles. Louis XV adored his spaniels, and this space reminds us that even royalty had a soft spot for their furry companions. A must-see detail for dog lovers!

Louis XV’s Bedchamber

Established in 1738, this room provided a more comfortable and private sleeping area for the king, contrasting with the ceremonial bedchamber used for public rituals. Louis XV passed away here in 1774.

Louis XVI’s Clothes Cabinet

Commissioned just before the French Revolution, this exquisitely decorated room served as a private study and dressing area, reflecting the king’s personal interests and the craftsmanship of the era.

The Cabinet Intérieur, or King’s Study, at the Palace of Versailles, featuring an ornate writing desk, gilded moldings, rich wood paneling, and royal blue accents — Cabinet Intérieur (The King’s Study)

The King’s original desk in the Cabinet Intérieur at the Palace of Versailles, a finely crafted piece with intricate marquetry, gilded bronze accents, and neatly arranged writing tools — King’s Original Desk, commissioned by Louis XV around 1760

Cabinet des Dépêches (Dispatch Cabinet)

A quiet and richly decorated workspace where the king handled private matters, met with close advisors, and read dispatches. It’s more subdued than the State Apartments, with intricate paneling, elegant furnishings, and a sense of solitude that shows just how much the monarch valued his personal space.

A tiny tucked-away room attached to the study

Katie selfie in mirror in the tiny tucked-away room attached to the study

Cabinet Intérieur (The King’s Study)

A more personal, book-lined study where the king focused on confidential matters and wrote private letters. This was the introspective heart of his apartment.

Private Loo

A tiny tucked-away room attached to the study, complete with a hidden toilet—proving that even kings needed a moment alone.

The Salon de la Pendule (Clock Room) at the Palace of Versailles, France, featuring the ornate astronomical clock encased in gilded bronze, surrounded by richly decorated paneling, mirrors, and Rococo details

The great astronomical clock in the Clock Room (Salon de la Pendule) at the Palace of Versailles, featuring gilded bronze details, celestial dials, and mechanical figures, set within an opulent Rococo interior — The great astronomical clock

Salon de la Pendule (Clock Room)

The room is named after its masterpiece of horology—a stunning astronomical clock created by Claude-Siméon Passemant in the mid-1700s.

The clock displays not only the time and date but also the phases of the moon and the movement of the planets. Topped with a model of the solar system, it was an Enlightenment-era marvel that blended science, art, and royal prestige. Louis XV loved it so much, he had an entire salon built around it.

The room is filled with refined wood paneling, mirrors, and gold accents, but it’s more intimate than the state rooms. The decor reflects a transition from the grandeur of Baroque to the more personal and intellectual tastes of the Enlightenment period.

Less ceremonial, more cerebral. It was a space where the king could discuss scientific discoveries, write correspondence, or host select guests in a quiet setting.

Salle à Manger aux Retours de Chasse (Post-Hunt Dining Room)

This elegant dining room was used by the king after hunting excursions, often shared with close courtiers and family. The deep blue silk drapes and matching upholstered chairs are a showstopper—rich, regal, and totally unexpected against the gilded backdrop of Versailles. The room has a cozy-but-grand feeling, with warm wood paneling and a more intimate scale than the palace’s public spaces.

This room is a favorite for design lovers. The symmetry, texture, and color palette are total inspiration for anyone into interiors or royal aesthetics.

Louis XVI’s library at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, France, featuring floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, rich wood paneling, and classical detailing with natural light filtering through tall windows — a refined intellectual retreat — Bibliothèque du Roi (The King’s Library)

Bibliothèque du Roi (The King’s Library)

Created by Louis XVI in 1774, this room is a peaceful escape from the palace’s grandeur—a place for study, reflection, and intellectual curiosity. Lined with floor-to-ceiling bookcases filled with beautifully bound volumes, the library showcases the king’s interest in science, literature, and philosophy. The richly paneled wood walls and globe-topped writing desk make it feel less like a throne room and more like a deeply personal sanctuary.

If you love libraries or quiet, intentional design, this space will speak to your soul.

Bonus: It’s a great spot to ask your guide questions about what kinds of books the king actually read!

Cabinet des Médailles (Medal Cabinet)

This room displayed the king’s collection of medals and precious objects, serving as a private museum and reflecting the monarch’s interests in art and history.

Salon Ovale (Oval Salon)

An elegantly designed room used for private gatherings, showcasing the refined taste and architectural innovation of the period.

What to Know Before You Book

This tour is only available via a guided reservation, so make sure you book in advance.

It’s usually available as an add-on when you buy tickets through the official Versailles website or through trusted partners like GetYourGuide.

Tours are small (often under 20 people), so it feels personal and immersive.

Pro Tip: Wear comfy shoes—you’ll be climbing a few staircases and standing for most of the tour. And bring your questions! The guides are amazing and love when you geek out over the details.

The Escalier Louis-Philippe staircase at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, France, with sweeping stone steps, a graceful iron railing, and classical architectural lines — the final stop on the tour — The Escalier Louis-Philippe staircase

Is It Worth It?

Absolutely! If you’ve already carved out a day trip from Paris, this tour is what elevates it from a “bucket list check” to a meaningful travel memory. You’re not just seeing Versailles; you’re experiencing how the kings lived beyond the gilded halls. We also went to Disneyland Paris on our trip – so we got both types of activities, haha.

Want to know how to get to Versailles from Paris, what kind of ticket to book, or where to eat once you’re there? Check out my Paris to Versailles Day Trip: Tickets, Tips, & Best Routes guide for all the details. And here’s some tips on how to skip-the-lines at Versailles.

Looking for more things to do in Paris? I have guides on visiting the Arc de Triomphe, Catacombs, dining at a Michelin-star restaurant, tons of great city tours to choose from, and seeing a show at the Moulin Rouge.

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