Versailles Orangerie, Versailles

The Versailles Orangerie is a testament to the grandeur of French classical architecture and a quintessential component of the Palace of Versailles, one of the most renowned palaces in the world. Nestled within the palace grounds, the Orangerie stands as a remarkable structure that was designed by the eminent architect, Jules Hardouin-Mansart, and completed in 1686 under the reign of Louis XIV.

This palatial greenhouse, situated below the Palace's Parterre du Midi, is an emblem of the Sun King's taste for exotic plants and meticulous landscaping. The Orangerie is famed for its grand scale, stretching over 150 meters in length, and is flanked by two lateral galleries each spanning 117 meters. The central gallery's soaring arched ceilings provide a majestic shelter for the orange trees, palms, pomegranates, and myrtles, some of which are over 200 years old.

During the winter months, the Orangerie becomes a sanctuary for the palace's collection of over a thousand trees, which are kept in large wooden crates and carefully arranged within the gallery to protect them from the cold. With the arrival of spring, these trees are meticulously transported outside to adorn the Parterre de l'Orangerie, creating a lush, Mediterranean oasis amidst the classical French gardens.

Visitors to Versailles are invited to meander through the Orangerie's serene walkways and experience the harmonious blend of architecture and nature. The south-facing façade ensures maximum sunlight exposure, ingeniously utilizing natural heat and light to create a favorable microclimate for the citrus trees within.