VERSAILLES — The Palace of Versailles is set to open a new permanent gallery on July 4 marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, situated in the historic apartments where France and the United States forged their earliest diplomatic ties in the 18th century.
The gallery is located in the apartment where King Louis XVI received Benjamin Franklin and where France officially recognised American sovereignty in 1778. The exhibition brings together paintings, sculptures and portraits from the palace's collections to shine a light on the political, diplomatic and military figures of independence, among them Benjamin Franklin, the Marquis de La Fayette and George Washington.
The new gallery features paintings, sculptures, and portraits from the palace's collection, highlighting the relationship between Versailles and the United States. To mark the anniversary, the Palace of Versailles is offering a broader programme combining the exhibition, a historical reenactment, and a virtual reality experience.
"It makes perfect sense to create a visitor route dedicated to the independence of the United States at Versailles, since from the time of Louis XVI there was already a wish to underline the link between France and those events, not least through the commission of the great candelabrum by Louis XVI, which stood in his private apartment and celebrated the American War of Independence," said Clara Terreaux, a curator at the Palace of Versailles.
Laurent Salomé, director of the Palace of Versailles museum, placed the new gallery within a longer institutional tradition. "This desire to celebrate goes back to the aftermath of the First World War. The museum director at that time wanted to acknowledge the role played by the Americans in helping Europe during the conflict," Salomé said. "So, just after 1918, we created galleries devoted to the American Revolution to pay tribute to America's presence in Europe. They also tell the story of how France supported the insurgents in the 18th century. It is therefore a two-way history."
Versailles holds particular significance in the history of American independence. In 1783, one of the treaties helping to bring an end to the War of Independence and secure international recognition for the young American republic was signed at the palace.
As part of the broader commemorations, the Trianon Estate will host a historical reenactment on July 4 and 5, 2026, depicting French and American forces during the American Revolutionary period.
The new gallery is scheduled to open to the public on July 4, 2026. Further details on ticketing and access were available through the palace's official website.
