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VISIT: AIRELLES CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES – LE GRAND CONTRÔLE, LUXURY AT THE COURT OF THE SUN KING (France)
Costumes, feasts... the past comes alive here in five stars, with all the precision and pomp of a modern hotel. |
Catégorie : Europe - France - Expériences exclusives
- Quoi de neuf ?
Article rédigé par Romane Le Royer le vendredi 22 août 2025
 The Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle hotel has been welcoming guests to the heart of the Versailles estate since 2021.
Crédit photo © Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
The location alone is a statement. The hotel occupies a building on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, built by Louis XIV's architect in 1681 and formerly used by the controller of finances. Guests enter a private house with five rooms and eight suites, yet with over 130 staff to provide exceptional service. This is one of the highest ratios in Europe. But the Grand Contrôle is not a hotel like any other.
The project was born out of a bold gamble: to transform Versailles from a simple cultural tourist stopover into a destination in its own right, where guests can stay for two or three nights, far from the hustle and bustle of Paris, in an atmosphere conducive to letting go. Le Journal des Palaces visited this establishment, where time takes you back to a lavish era.
More than a hotel, a majestic setting
As soon as you step inside, the atmosphere is striking. There is no noisy lobby: you enter into refined salons decorated in powdery tones, dominated by old roses and patinated gold. These hushed spaces, bathed in soft light, invite you to contemplate the gardens of the Orangery. The white wood panelling, enhanced with gilding, features reproductions of master paintings, while sumptuous bouquets of flowers sit in vases that you can imagine were chosen by one of the king's favourites. The marquetry parquet floor creaks delicately underfoot, crystal chandeliers diffuse an amber light, and already, a delicate fragrance envelops us and transports us out of time.
To complete the atmosphere that captivates visitors as soon as they enter, the staff in costume are not only trained in service, but also in a real role, thanks to techniques borrowed from the theatre. And that changes everything. At the Grand Contrôle, the experience begins well before check-in. Each guest is contacted in advance by their butler, a dedicated personal assistant responsible for orchestrating a tailor-made stay. Upon arrival, they are welcomed like an expected guest in their own home.
Upstairs, the rooms and suites reveal a consummate attention to detail. The former range from 35 to 60 m², the latter from 65 to 150 m², and are decorated in shades of pink, white and green. Each one has a name, referring to a famous figure from the period: Marquis de Fouquet, Madame de Staël, Rose Bertin...
The authenticity of the furniture is evidence of a passionate quest: the Louis XV bergère armchairs upholstered in silk, the inlaid writing desks and the curved chests of drawers come from auctions and antique dealers across Europe and have been meticulously restored. The crystal chandeliers and objets d'art combine genuine antiques with faithful reproductions made by French master craftsmen. The sumptuous upholstery, curtains and wall hangings have been custom-made by Maison Pierre Frey based on original sketches from the archives of the Palace of Versailles. From the small-paned windows, guests can enjoy views of the French gardens, with their neatly trimmed groves and ponds reflecting the clouds. Some suites have private terraces overlooking the Orangerie, a haven of greenery where guests can enjoy tea in front of the royal flower beds.
The bathrooms feature marble and antique gold taps. The sculpted bathtubs invite you to relax in a hushed atmosphere conducive to relaxation, and the Valmont products in their crystal bottles reflect the high standards of the hotel. Everything has been designed to break down the barriers between the historic walls and those who inhabit them, without detracting from the experience. Air conditioning is available, but the absence of televisions (except on request) reminds guests that they are here to experience the moment.
A royal feast by Alain Ducasse
The catering, entrusted to Alain Ducasse, is central to the experience offered at Le Grand Contrôle. As co-shareholder of the project, the chef creates all the menus, from breakfast to brunch, lunch and, above all, dinner, which is designed to be the highlight of the stay.
The romantic and cosy atmosphere, lit by candlelight, offers a direct view of the château's Orangery. The tableware, created especially for the property, reproduces 18th-century Sèvres porcelain services, with their exotic decorations and gold trim. The vermeil cutlery, engraved crystal glasses and chiselled bronze candlesticks complete this exceptional setting.
Dinner takes the form of a ‘Royal Feast’: inspired by the feasts of kings, the menu revisits the great classics of French gastronomy. This contemporary haute cuisine, steeped in history and the ceremonial tradition of the king's supper, offers refined dishes served in a precise order: cucumber, caviar and seaweed as a starter, followed by ‘tourte au vert’ (green pie), field mushrooms and smoked eel as the main course. Or the blue lobster, courgette and green olive dish, followed by roast veal with jus, accompanied by artichokes in barigoule, sage leaf fritters and melt-in-the-mouth aubergines. Each dish tells the story of the royal way of life. Far from being a mere nod to history, this is a unique and carefully staged menu, where every detail has been designed to prolong the immersion: champagne aperitif served in a carafe, dishes prepared in front of guests, diners called to the table by a barker, dishes presented in the manner of court ushers.
The dinner changes four times a year, in tune with the seasons, with changes to the menu, floral decorations and musical atmosphere, while ensuring a subtle balance between theatricality and sobriety. Far from a dinner show, the Festin Royal is a moment suspended in time, where the culinary narrative reinforces the illusion of a journey through time, without ever sacrificing taste to the staging.
Costumes, balls and the king's wake-up call: a tailor-made experience
Le Grand Contrôle stands out for its attention to detail in creating an immersive experience. Guests can dress up in costumes from film productions, enjoy the services of a wigmaker, make-up artist and photographer, and live their stay as if they were playing a role in a play. On 31 December, a masked ball is organised in the traditional manner, preceded by a costume dinner. Other highlights punctuate the year: Valentine's Day, a revisited Thanksgiving, and the arrival of summer.
Among the most unique moments is the ‘Réveil du Roi’ (Waking of the King), inspired by a privilege granted by Louis XIV. Here, there are no ringing telephones, replaced by a discreet scratching at the door. A lantern is lit, the curtains open to reveal soft lighting, a hot drink is served in bed and the bath is perfumed. The experience is almost intimate, evoking a sense of pure emotion.
To prolong this refined interlude, guests have access to the Spa Airelles by Valmont, nestled in the building's former vaulted cellars. Here, the pale stone of the vaults contrasts with the deep black of the mosaics that line the 15-metre heated indoor pool. The hushed, subdued atmosphere with its enveloping scents invites you to relax completely. The wellness area also offers a eucalyptus-scented hammam, a Finnish sauna and a fitness room with state-of-the-art equipment. The silence invites you to relax completely. Two treatment rooms with distinct atmospheres complete the offer: the single ‘Gabrielle de Polignac’ room and the ‘Marie-Antoinette’ double room, with a private outdoor area and a double copper bathtub for a sensory experience for two. True to the spirit of the house, the spa cultivates the art of detail, with attentive service down to the smallest gesture.
Expanding the destination: an ever-evolving offering
Since its opening, Airelles has focused on offering activities that go beyond the simple hotel setting. From an introduction to falconry and horse riding in the royal estate's grounds to a tour of Versailles' historic vineyard, La Bouche du Roi, the property now attracts families with a programme of activities designed especially for children. And the same high standards always apply: avoiding generic experiences in favour of something new and unique.
This vision continues with the Pavillon des Jardiniers project, scheduled for completion in autumn 2025. This extension will include a three-bedroom duplex suite with views of the Orangery, designed as a private pavilion. A second restaurant, simpler and open to outside guests, will also be created, run by Alain Ducasse's teams.
With the Grand Contrôle, Airelles has created an exceptional address that boldly redefines what a hotel experience can be, and is probably unique in the world. Far from the norm, close to emotion. A place where every moment tastes like a future memory. People don't come to Le Grand Contrôle to shop or to be seen. They come to slow down, feel, reconnect and experience something special. Versailles is once again what it was for Louis XIV and his court: an escape from Paris, a setting of beauty and refinement.
 The audience chamber combines gilding, period wood panelling, majestic chandeliers and 18th-century-inspired furniture to immerse visitors in the elegance of the royal court.
Crédit photo © Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
 The common areas reveal a refined atmosphere, adorned with golden wood panelling, embroidered armchairs and gaming tables, recreating the convivial elegance of the 18th century.
Crédit photo © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
 The dining room of the Grand Contrôle boasts refined décor, where Louis XVI furniture stands alongside gilding in a prestigious setting overlooking the castle gardens.
Crédit photo © Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
 Homemade pastries, macarons, fresh fruit and coffee served on 18th-century-inspired tableware for a truly regal experience.
Crédit photo © Julie Frontali /
 The elegant terrace of the Grand Contrôle, in the heart of the gardens of Versailles, offers a refined setting for lunch under flower-covered pergolas, accompanied by the gentle sound of the fountain.
Crédit photo © Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
 The Necker Suite at the Grand Contrôle in Versailles, an immersion in 18th-century elegance.
Crédit photo © Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
 The bathroom in the Necker Suite at the Grand Contrôle, opening onto a majestic view of the Palace of Versailles.
Crédit photo © Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
 The indoor swimming pool of the spa at the Grand Contrôle in Versailles, designed as an elegant setting inspired by classical architecture.
Crédit photo © Julie Frontali / Journal des Palaces
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