The reigning king of French cuisine is coming home to roost with the Sun King: visitors from around the world will soon be able to stay and dine on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France. According to CTV News, starred chef Alain Ducasse has been chosen to lead a team that will transform part of the Palace into a hotel-restaurant. For the first time in the history of the property, tourists will be able to sleep in the same building from which Louis XIV reigned over France and where Marie-Antoinette frolicked.
The LOV Hotel Collection, a luxury hotel group based in Savoie, will build a 20-room hotel in three buildings on the royal estate. A gourmet restaurant by Alain Ducasse is planned for one of the buildings, all of which are located in the southeast area of the property and once served as the king’s finance ministry and military building. The structures – which encompass more than 30,000 square feet – have been empty since 2008. Renovations are expected to cost over $15 million. CTV writes that the “decor will remain faithful to the opulent and sumptuous style of the 18th century.” Expect gilding, tapestries, mirrors, marble, decorative statues and goblets overflowing with fresh flowers.
The hotel has an opening date of 2018.
Although hotels like the Waldorf Astoria Hotel Trianon Palace Versailles borders up to the property on which Marie Antoinette once roamed, tourists have never been able to spend the night at the Palace. Until now.
