Quelle horreur! The renowned Palace of Versailles is to open its doors to paying guests in order to make ends meet. The French symbol of royal opulence could have guests lodging there for the first time in 300 years.
State funding was trickled down to €40.5 million this year, from €47.4 million just two years ago. Even with an annual visitor head count of 7 million, a 50% increase over a decade, the palace and its grounds can’t cope with the upkeep costs.
The palace is inviting tenders from private firms to create and manage hotel accommodation in three 17th century mansions on the grounds, just 100 yards from the main building.
Tentatively names Hotel de l’Orangerie because it overlooks the gallery where Louis XIV’s 3,000 orange trees were kept, the successful company will be given a licence for 60 years and will have to pay a percentage of the profits to the palace.
The buildings in question have been empty for the last seven years. A palace spokesperson said the renovations needed to create a hotel are likely to cost up to €14 million.
“There will be no other hotel in the world like this one,” the spokesman said. “This is an emblem of French history and a cultural landmark.”
The town of Versailles looks to the tourist trade for its livelihood.
