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From France to India via England or Italy, discover our selection of the most beautiful palaces in the world. Buildings with architecture as diverse as it is fascinating.
The Palace of Versailles (France)
Residence of the kings from 1682 to 1789, the Palace of Versailles is the most striking demonstration of the greatness of the French monarchy. The spectacular gardens of André le Nôtre, the astonishing Hall of Mirrors, the Trianon estate, the Neptune basin attract several million visitors every year from all over the world. A journey back in time that we never get tired of, even after several visits.
The Palace of Casete, Naples (Italy)
Head to Italy to discover the Palace of Caserta, former residence of the royal family of the Bourbons of Naples. With its palace of 61,000 m² and 36 meters high, its park of 120 hectares, this treasure of the Italian Baroque inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997 is the largest kingdom residence in the world. A building of breathtaking beauty that rivals without blushing with Versailles.
The Palace of the Winds, Jaipur (capital of Rajasthan, India)
We leave Europe to head for India and one of the most fascinating palaces in the world. Built in the late eighteenth century in Jaipur (Rajasthan) by the Mahârâja Sawâi Pratap Singh, this 5-story palace is unlike any other. With its architecture at the crossroads of Rajput and Mughal styles, the Palace of the Winds amazes in particular by its façade decorated with dozens of jharokhâ, these projecting windows typical of Rajasthan architecture.
Schönbrunn Castle (Austria)
Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1996, Schönbrunn Castle is one of Vienna’s emblems and one of the most visited sites in the city. The work of Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and Nicolaus Pacassi, the palace was the summer residence of the Austrian emperors. It was here that Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife Empress Elizabeth, better known by the nickname Sissi the Empress, lived.
Topkapi Palace (Istanbul, Turkey)
Built on the site of the ancient Acropolis of Byzantium in 1559, the Palace of Topkapi dominates the Bosphorus with its impressive stature. Inhabited by Ottoman sultans for five centuries, Topkapi Palace with its four main courtyards and harem is now open to visitors.
The Alhambra (Grenada, Spain)
The Alhambra is one of the most emblematic monuments of Islamic architecture. The official residence of the sultans of the Nasrid dynasty from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century, this ensemble located in Granada fascinates by its courtyards and palace as by its gardens richly decorated with many fountains. At sunset, the façade of the palace seems to be illuminated with a thousand lights!
Mandalay Palace (Myanmar)
Mandalay Palace was the main royal residence of the last two kings of Burma. Built-in the nineteenth century, this palace of 413 hectares surrounded by walls 9 meters high is a well-kept treasure. Largely destroyed during the Second World War, it is a replica built in 1990 that can be admired today.
Windsor Castle (England)
This magnificent medieval fortress whose construction began in 1070 is the palace of all records. The oldest royal residence, Windsor Castle is also, with its 1000 rooms, the largest inhabited castle in the world. Windsor Castle is still today one of the residences of Queen Elizabeth II, her favorite, it is said. Windsor was the venue for Prince Philip’s funeral on April 17, 2021.
The Forbidden City (Beijing, China)
Built-in the fifteenth century during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), the Forbidden City extends over more than 72 hectares. It was the residence of the Chinese emperors and the political center of the country until the abdication of the last emperor, Puyi, in 1912. The Forbidden City is now home to several museums and is one of the most visited monuments in China.
Mysore Palace (India)
Watch your eyes! Mysore Palace is certainly one of the most amazing in the world. Built on the site of a former palace of the fourteenth century between 1897 and 1912, this building attracts several million visitors every year. On Sunday evening, the palace lights up with a thousand lights. But the interior is also worth a visit, especially for the throne room and the richly decorated Private Audience Room.
