The Royal Chapel at Château de Versailles: A Divine Beacon Fit for a Sun King

Larger Than Life: Art that inspires us through the ages

The king and his family sat in the center of the upper level of the chapel, while the ladies of court sat in the side galleries. The remainder of the court and the public sat in the nave below. Thomas Garnier/Château de Versailles

A renewed sense of grandeur has returned to the Royal Chapel at Versailles, after a three-year restoration project.

In the 17th century, the Sun King, Louis XIV, personally directed the creation of this grand chapel. In doing so, he established a conduit between the heavens, the French monarchy, and hence the people of France for generations to come.