Two of France’s most popular tourist attractions, the Louvre Museum in Paris and Versailles Palace, were evacuated on Saturday (October 14) after receiving bomb threats. The former royal residence and the Louvre were closed as police searched both locations, the AFP news agency reported.
The threat was communicated via an anonymous online message, according to the Louvres communication service. No bomb was found, and the museum will reopen as usual on Sunday. The Louvre and Versailles are on the list of the most visited monuments in the world, attracting about 10 million visitors annually.
As France remains on heightened terror alert following the deadly school stabbing of a teacher last Friday, 7,000 troops have been deployed to increase security across the country. The Palace of Versailles was evacuated on Friday, as well.
Usually filled with tourists from around the world snapping pictures of their surroundings, the Hall of Mirrors was empty on October 14. “For security reasons, the Palace of Versailles is evacuating its visitors and will be closed today,” the establishment said on social network X.
The site, also known as the Château de Versailles, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the most famous palaces in the world. It was constructed in the 17th century and is renowned for its architectural style, as well as its gardens and fountains.
In 2023, the chateau introduced a new welcome and information area for all entrance tickets (the Palace ticket, the one-day pass, and the guided tours are sold here). The space was designed to promote an immediate understanding of the complex history of the Palace and its estate and showcase pieces that would have otherwise gone unseen, such as those from Noel Coypel, a prominent 17th-century painter.
Another recent change to the Palace was the reopening of the Grand Couvert, which recreates the dinnertime atmosphere in which Louis XIV hosted guests at his table. The dinner, which takes place every night at 10 pm, re-creates the atmosphere of a royal banquet, and each guest receives a course from the chef of French cuisine – the same dishes that were served at the meal for more than four centuries.
A reorganization of the Gallery of the History of the Palace was also implemented in 2023, presenting over 120 works to provide visitors from all over the world with an instant comprehension of the history of the Palace and its evolution. The new display brings together recently acquired works alongside paintings and artworks formerly in storage.
Located on the estate’s west side, the Grand Trianon was built in the late 16th and early 17th centuries to expand to the main Palace. It is an example of French Baroque architecture and includes several famous rooms and gardens.