Adjoining the royal property of Versailles, the most dazzling palace in French history, the Relais & Châteaux Hôtel Les Lumières has made a grand entrance into the world of hospitality. This five-star property serves as the ideal base for exploring the destination like a local, with style and sophistication, naturally.
The story of Versailles has been told in many ways… From the “Angélique, Marquise des Anges” TV saga starring the unforgettable Michèle Mercier to Sofia Coppola’s Hollywood-glam reimagining of Marie Antoinette’s life, this French royal city fascinates and inspires, drawing tourists from across the globe as well as creative minds who pay tribute to it. Whether in gastronomy, fashion, the arts, or diplomacy, Versailles shines; it is a true masterclass. In its stonework, the city bears witness to unique craftsmanship; here, architecture becomes a jewel. Establishing a presence in Versailles requires impeccable credentials. 2L Collection, which owns properties such as Château de Fonscolombe and Château d’Audrieu in France, has honored Versailles’s refined etiquette with this new 31-room hotel.
Born from the union of the 17th-century Villacerf and Gramont pavilions, the hotel has been meticulously renovated to offer a delightful getaway. A light-filled garden connects the two private mansions, which now form a harmonious whole. Architect Didier Benderli has successfully navigated the delicate task of blending modernity with classicism across the guest rooms, common areas, and restaurants. Like any international admirer of Versailles, you might have expected ostentatious décor attempting to mimic Louis XIV’s lavish palace, but that is far from the case. The hotel group opted for “quiet luxury,” resulting in a truly sublime aesthetic. With velvet sofas, damask-upholstered screen headboards, light-toned parquet flooring, and heavy drapes in cream, blue-grey, and subtle green, the suites demonstrate that true sophistication lies in the meticulous details.
Each room and suite proudly bears the name of a French figure from the Age of Enlightenment: scientists, philosophers, and great explorers. Versailles cherishes tradition, and Hôtel Les Lumières aims to be the preferred destination for the “bleisure” customers. Prestigious luxury houses and major French corporations host corporate seminars and exclusive new-collection launch events here. Recently, a famous jewelry brand gathered its “Friends & Family” for a couture-style show unveiling its latest gemstone creations. For one evening, Versailles reclaimed its status as a dazzling, festive court, rolling out the red carpet for international stars. Not bad for a property that opened just two years ago!
Perhaps most surprising is the fact that the establishment draws a primarily local clientele and is frequently booked for private social events: “Unlike many hotels that rely heavily on international guests, Hôtel Les Lumières has forged a strong bond with the people of Versailles, who enjoy celebrating both personal and professional milestones here. We are delighted to have won over the locals—a discerning group accustomed to excellence,” says Clément Gohin, the hotel manager.
This resounding success is also due to the impeccable cuisine. Under the supervision of Chef Erwan Le Thomas, La Table des Lumières showcases refined cooking, with signature French dishes delighting food lovers from around the world. The menu features eggplant caviar and cromesquis with spiced ewe’s milk cheese and zucchini chips; and seared, smoked sirloin steak with bone marrow tartare and chimichurri sauce. Flambéed mackerel – Basil pistou – Spiced apricot condiment; Seasonal cheese platter (from La Fromagerie de Versailles – MOF, Best Culinary Artisan of France), served with bread and fruit paste. For dessert lovers, indulge in a honey-roasted cherry tart with caramelized almonds or a Madagascar vanilla soufflé with salted caramel and vanilla ice cream.
“In every dish, we celebrate the nobility of fine ingredients, for without them, there is no great cuisine. Every moment at La Table des Lumières is a tribute to quality, to simplicity elevated to new heights, and to excellence in taste. Ultimately, it is the shared emotion that makes every bite memorable,” says Chef Erwan Le Thomas, whose background includes some of Paris’s most elite establishments (Le Fouquet’s, La Tour d’Argent, etc.).
At Hôtel Les Lumières Versailles, exquisite flavors go hand in hand with stunning aesthetics. Guests enjoy meals, from breakfast and afternoon tea to dinner, in an enchanting setting. They ascend the majestic 1907 staircase, classified as a French Historic Monument, to reach the first floor, home to La Galerie des Lumières and its soaring six-meter-high ceilings. The dining room offers a panoramic view of the Place d’Armes and the neighboring Château… All that’s left is to savor the moment, and the treats, with loved ones. Magical Versailles!
Hôtel Les Lumières
2L Collection – Relais & Châteaux
5 rue Colbert
78000 Versailles
Telephone: +33 (0) 1 87 50 05 00
Highlights and key facts about Château de Versailles:
The magnificent Palace of Versailles as we know it today is the result of the transformation of a “simple” hunting lodge belonging to Louis XIII. The construction work, carried out in several phases over 38 years, was commissioned by his son, Louis XIV. Its expansion to a colossal scale and its embellishment, turning it into a model of its kind, were closely linked to the growth of the King’s power. The small hunting lodge of the young king’s childhood gradually evolved into the immense palace of the Sun King, a center of power following the relocation of the court and government there.
King Louis XIV, who styled himself the Sun King “Le Roi-Soleil”, wished to make the palace a symbol of his reign and authority; he shaped it in his own image, reflecting the persona he wanted to project to the world: gigantic, magnificent, boundless, and absolutely powerful.
Versailles is an estate spanning 1630 acres with 16 access gates.
55 fountains and pools, featuring 600 water jets, consume 4.5 million liters of water per hour in a closed-loop system.
824 sculptures adorn the exterior, including 155 statues lining the 43 kilometers of pathways.
The palace’s 2,300 rooms are furnished with 7,727 pieces of furniture and decorated with 6,938 paintings, 3,074 sculptures, 426 chandeliers, and 156 clocks.
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