Tickets and Guided Tours for the Palace of Versailles

Built in the 17th century, the Hall of Mirrors is the largest and certainly the most famous of the 700 rooms in the Palace of Versailles. The most spectacular effect of the decoration is produced by the large glass mirrors arranged opposite the windows. It is these mirrors that give the room its name, Hall of Mirrors. Their creation is exceptional in more ways than one. No mirror of this size had been blown until then. The fact that all were produced in France adds to the extraordinary nature of this achievement. Indeed, until the 1660s, Venetian master glassmakers, who guarded their craft jealously, held a true monopoly in Europe. However, the establishment of the Royal Glass and Mirror Factory allowed for competition with Venice and enabled the production of the famous Versailles mirrors within the kingdom. Thus, the Hall of Mirrors is a testament to the rise of luxury industries in France, a rise fostered by dynamic policies.