This sumptuous exhibition is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see and experience here in Australia a fascinating and often tumultuous period in French history. For the first time ever, treasures including royal paintings, intricate tapestries and luxurious gilded furniture have traveled from France to entice visitors into a world of power, passion and luxury through this epic exhibition.
Ranging from small objects such as Marie-Antoinette's hand-crafted chair and harp to huge works including six-metre tapestries produced for Louis XIV, the treasures bring to life the reigns of three kings, their queens and mistresses.
The exhibition celebrates the lives, loves and passions of the people of Versailles through a full program of activities including music performances, children's programs and public events.
The NGA has worked exclusively with master perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian, in scenting the foyer of the exhibition space with a fragrance inspired by Louis XIV to create an immersive and unforgettable exhibition experience.
‘There is so much excitement around this unique exhibition. I encourage all Australians to see this once-in-a-lifetime event.’
Tina Arena
FINAL WEEKS - until 17 April 2017
To purchase your ticket to Versailles: Treasures from the Palace, select the date from the calendar and your ticket option. Open daily 10am-5pm, closed Christmas Day
Weekends only, 9am-10am
Premium tickets provide access to exclusive exhibition viewing with a limited group people before the doors open to the general public. Available every weekend from 9am-10am. You can continue to enjoy the exhibition after 10am until 5pm.
A ticket to Versailles: Treasures from the Palace is a superb gift and the recipient can exchange the gift voucher for a ticket at the NGA or at any Ticketek agencies nationally. Gift vouchers can be exchanged for any dates that have tickets available.
Discounts are available to groups of ten or more people so if you would like to share the experience with family, friends or work and social groups simply make your selections below and call 1300 364 001.
| Ticket prices | |
|---|---|
| Adult | $27.00 |
| Adult + Catalogue | $76.95 |
| Adult + Champagne | $47.00 |
| Adult Group (10+ people) | $24.00 |
| Adult Premium (Sat/Sun 9-10am entry after 10am incl) | $55.00 |
| Adult Season | $81.00 |
| Children (accompanied - 16 years and under) | Free |
| Concession / Student | $25.00 |
| Concession / Student Season | $75.00 |
| Concession + Catalogue | $74.95 |
| Concession + Champagne | $45.00 |
| Concession Group (10+ people) | $22.00 |
| NGA Member | $20.00 |
| NGA Member + Catalogue | $64.95 |
| NGA Member + Champagne | $40.00 |
| NGA Member Premium (Sat/Sun 9-10am entry after 10am incl) | $45.00 |
| NGA Member Season | $60.00 |
| Audio Guide | $7.00 |
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Indulge in the luxury of the Palace with our champagne package. Enjoy a glass of Moët & Chandon before you experience the Versailles: Treasures from the Palace exhibition.
The champagne-infused hedonism of Versailles is legendary. For the majority of his reign, Louis XIV drank champagne almost exclusively at the extravagant Palace parties. The mistress of Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour, was a highly influential tastemaker and propelled Moët & Chandon to become the champagne of choice throughout royal courts of Europe. These celebratory traditions established in Versailles still continue today.
Audio guides are available for adults and children in English and French, or why not experience a music tour? Download from the Apple or Google Play app stores or hire an iPod from the NGA preloaded with all tours for $7. These can be pre-purchased to be collected when you arrive.
Versailles background music (pdf 59kb)
Accomodation packages
Accor Hotels are our Exclusive Accommodation Partner for Versailles, so check out all their great offers.
Travel packages
Murrays Coaches offer a daily express service from Sydney, as well as great value packages that can be booked online.
A rich calendar of events will be available to coincide with the exhibition.
Hear experts speak on a range of topics, listen to music from Versailles and get creative with a range of programs for all ages accompanying the exhibition.
Opening weekend festivities include free lectures by NGA Director Gerard Vaughan and art critic for The Australian, Christopher Allen, on 10 December, period painting demonstrations and pop-up performances.
Saturday 1 April 2.00pm
Salut! Baroque celebrates the extraordinary legacy of Louis XIV during his 72-year reign,
performing music by Couperin, Rameau, Rebel, Charpentier, Montéclair, Marais, Dornel, Lalande and Lully.
Friday 17 – Saturday 18 March 2017
Explore the enduring influence and resonance of Versailles, its desires and self-perceptions of modernity, from film to fashion to architecture. Learn more + Booking details
9.00–10.00am Monday–Friday term time
This is a fantastic opportunity to show your students treasures from the Palace of Versailles exclusively in Canberra and discover our new NGA Play space, the Versailles activity room.
Free Visual Arts, French language and Design and Technology educational activities and resources aligned to the Australian Curriculum will be available on the NGA Versailles website shortly. French language resources were produced by the Modern Language Teachers Association of the ACT in conjunction with the NGA.
Learning programs at the NGA are proudly supported by Tim Fairfax in honour of Betty Churcher.
Marie-Antoinette is synonymous with the opulence of Versailles. The luxury of her fashion, possessions and lifestyle is as famous as she is and everyone dreams of being spoilt the way she was at least once in their lives. This formal portrait captures the youthfulness, grace and radiance of the 22-year-old queen.
The palace's furniture conveys the magnificence and power of Versailles. Everything was dripping in gold, including this beautiful desk crafted by the most talented cabinetmakers in Europe for Louis XV's son, the Dauphin, to celebrate his marriage. The Rococo curves, gilded details and secret drawers make this an incredible work of art.
This grand tapestry is by far the largest work made for the interior of the palace at Versailles, measuring a whopping six metres long. Part of the most important series of wall hangings made for the monarchy by the famous Gobelins workshop, it includes amazing detail depicting important events in the life of the king.
This monumental group portrait of the aristocratic Sourches family, over three metres high, required individual freight and it was well worth it. Up close you can see the beautiful detail of this masterpiece and imagine what it was like to be part of the unique world of Versailles.
This bust of Louis XIV is an exceptionally important work of art. Aside from its great value it depicts the face of the king responsible for the largest palace ever built. To place this into perspective, Buckingham Palace would fit into the grounds of Versailles many times over. It was the grandest of visions realised by the power-hungry Louis XIV, who referred to himself as the Sun King.
This exhibition has been made possible through the generous support of the Exhibition Patrons:
Philip Bacon AM │ Kay Bryan │ Krystyna Campbell-Pretty │ The Hon Ashley Dawson-Damer AM │ Paula Fox AO │ Ginny Green and Leslie Green │ Wayne Kratzmann │ Justin Miller │ Lady Potter AC │ Lyn Williams AM
