Where is Versailles filmed? Filming locations for BBC Two’s raunchy French period drama
The BBC drama - famed for its steamy sex scenes - returned for its third and final season
SEX and seduction recently returned as the historical romp Versailles came back for one final series.
The BBC drama lifts the lid on the fascinating and scandalous life of King Louis XIV, with sensational filming backdrops to each scene.
What is Versailles?
Versailles is a BBC Two period drama set in the steamy court of Louis XIV.
The show premiered in May 2016 in Britain and the latest series began on Monday, June 4.
The first season of the drama was set in France in 1667, as nobles start to rebel against the 28-year-old King Louis XIV.
Where is Versailles filmed?
The 10-part series included scenes of sex, conspiracy and murder.
The first season of the show cost a reported £20 million to make and was a lavish production filled with beautiful costumes and opulent backdrops.
Many would assume from the show’s name that most of the scenes would be filmed at the Palace of Versailles.
And this was true of certain scenes that were filmed in the staterooms, bedrooms and gardens of iconic Versailles.
However a lot of the show was filmed at other nearby locations, due to the palace being a huge tourist attraction and because Marie Antoinette changed much of Versailles' 17th century décor.
Many other castles were used for the filming of the royal court, including:
- The Château de Champs-sur-Marne gardens
- The Château de Janvry
- The Château of Lésigny
- The Château de Maisons-Laffitte
- The Château de Pierrefonds used as the castle preuses room
- The Château de Sceaux
- The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
- The Château of Vigny
- The commune of Rambouillet
Where are the Château de Champs-sur-Marne gardens?
The spectacular gardens are located in the grounds of Chateau Champs-sur-Marne.
The stunning property was built at the start of the 18th century at the request of Louis XIV's financier, Paul Poisson de Bourvallais.
It was built as a residence of leisure in the countryside and with its breathtaking gardens, it's clear to see why you’d want to use the home as a retreat.
What other filming locations are featured in Versailles?
Château de Lésigny
Lésigny is a castle in France located 12 miles outside of Paris.
It is used in the BBC production for scenes of the lower nobles and their living quarters.
The producers selected the smaller castle as they wanted to contrast the rich elite in the show who resided in the stunning Palace of Versailles.
Vaux-le-Vicomte
This stunning palace was built by Louis XIV's Minister of Finance, Nicolas Fouquet.
He constructed the residence and invited the monarch over for a party, but Louis was so jealous of the home he put Nicolas in jail.
He then employed Nicolas’ gardener and ordered an architect to start work on Versailles.
It is located 30 miles southeast of Paris in Seine-et-Marne.
Maisons-Laffitte
This impressive home was built 30 years before Louis’ moved his court to Versailles.
It was chosen as it features exquisite ballrooms which were used for party scenes in the BBC show.
Keen-eyed fans may also be able to spot a white staircase in the period drama that is located at Maisons-Laffitte.
Fans can visit the home which is also located outside of Paris.
