Prince Louis of France, known as Monseigneur or the Grand Dauphin, was the eldest of Louis XIV, and yet he never acceded to the throne. The Château de Versailles looks back on its history in an exhibition from October 14, 2025.
Difficult to find your way among all these Louis who succeeded each other at the head of the kingdom of France for centuries. But one of them never had access, even though he was expected and raised for this purpose, since he was the eldest of the six children of King Louis XIV and Queen Maria Theresa of Austria. The news exposition of Palace of Versailles traces this unfinished destiny and this ultimately unknown character in history, October 14, 2025 to February 15, 2026.
The prince Louis of Francethis Monsignor or the Bottlenose Dolphindied in 1711 at age 49, before his father, four years later. Despite his status as dauphin of France, he therefore never accedes to the throne which returns to Louis XV, remaining in the shadow of his family. Through the exhibition, you will discover a portrait of the heir to the throne under the Ancien Régime in three stages, summarized by the Duke of Saint-Simon: son of a king, father of a king and never king.
Although he was never king, his place is major in the Bourbon dynasty since he is the father of Philip V, first sovereign of the branch of the Bourbons of Spain, still reigning today, but also the grandfather of Louis XV and great-great-grandfather of Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and Charles X. Near 250 works will illustrate the training and education of this worthy heir, whether through paintings, sculptures, art objects, manuscripts or graphic art.
Upcoming exhibitions
Christmas holidays: exceptional opening of the Revolution galleries at the Château de Versailles
From December 21, 2024 to January 5, 2025, during the Christmas holidays, the Palace of Versailles exceptionally opens to the public its historic galleries dedicated to the Revolution, but also the Emperor’s small apartment at the Grand Trianon. [Lire la suite]
Guillaume Bresson at the Palace of Versailles: the exhibition where contemporary art mixes with history
The Palace of Versailles welcomes Guillaume Bresson and his works where History and contemporary art come together. An exhibition to discover from January 21 to May 25, 2025. [Lire la suite]
The new Gallery of the History of the Palace of Versailles to celebrate 400 years – photos
The Gallery of the History of the Palace of Versailles reopens its doors to celebrate the 400 years of the emblematic monument. Free from September 15 to 17, 2023 for Heritage Days then from September 21 with a ticket, discover a completely redesigned and reorganized gallery, retracing the history of the Château from its construction in 1623 by Louis XIII to the present day. More than 120 works from the Versailles collections, accompanied by a digital device, allow us to understand the creations, transformations and upheavals that marked the Château. [Lire la suite]
