Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle has introduced six new immersive guest experiences to help make a stay within the Palace of Versailles even more memorable.
Opened in June 2021, Le Grand Contrôle offers access to areas of the palace and grounds that are normally closed to visitors. Besides daily before- and after-hour tours of the Château and the Trianon for hotel guests only, Airelles has curated a selection of paid-for experiences.
Guests can spend a day stepping into the shoes of Marie Antoinette at her beloved Château de Versailles. As the sun rises, a dedicated butler will prepare a shower or bath, before waking guests up gently with citrus milk, the Queen’s favorite drink, as part of a “Queen’s Wake Up” ritual, including a fragranced bubble bath. After a breakfast overlooking The Orangerie, guests will head to the Domaine de Trianon where they can enjoy a visit of Marie Antoinette’s personal haven away from the crowds, including her beloved English Gardens.
Heading back to Le Grand Contrôle, guests can relax at the Valmont Spa before enjoying a macaron-filled Marie Antoinette Afternoon Tea with her favorite drink–hot chocolate with orange blossom. Before or after afternoon tea, guests can enjoy the highlight of the day with a dress-up experience, trying on period costumes with a hair and make-up artist helping them to fully look the part.
Guests can participate in a Marie Antoinette-inspired fragrance workshop, making perfume infused with roses from the Versailles gardens.
Le Grand Contrôle can organize a private visit to the Palace of Versailles’ Central Library, the exact site where the Treaty of Paris 1783, which officially ended the American Revolutionary War and confirmed America’s independence, was negotiated. Guests can explore the Central Library with the chief librarian who will delve into the collection of historical archives, discovering documents written by George Washington and Marie Antoinette. At the end of the experience, guests can sip on champagne while exploring the Gallery of Foreign Affairs.
Equestrian sporting has always been of huge importance, with the Palace of Versailles hosting the Paris 2024 Olympic equestrian events next summer. Guests can enjoy a two-hour guided horse ride, trotting through the palace grounds.
At nearby Aéroclub, guests can board a light aircraft and choose between a dawn or sunset flight to enjoy views of the countryside, the Grand Canal, the Château de Chantilly, along the Seine and over Paris’ city skyline. Guests may also co-pilot the flight under expert guidance.
Traveling in Le Grand Contrôle’s chauffeur-driven 1960s Jaguar MK2, guests can explore the Chevreuse Valley located 30 minutes from Versailles. They can visit Château de la Madeleine and enjoy a gourmet lunch before heading into the village of Montfort L’Amaury. Upon return to the hotel, guests can enjoy afternoon tea.
Fashionista guests can enjoy a personal shopping day. Within the privacy of their own hotel suite at Le Grand Contrôle, a personal stylist will bring a bespoke selection of Paris’ finest clothes, jewelry and accessories for guests to try on while enjoying champagne and macarons.
Other paid-for experiences available to hotel guests include a private performance at the Royal Opera, private dining with a string quartet in the former apartment of Louis XV’s daughters, a gourmet picnic within the palace grounds and a Versailles-themed costume-fitting.
Rates at Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle include a dedicated butler; daily tours of Château de Versailles and the Trianon; access to the Palace grounds, including use of boats and golf carts and breakfast, afternoon tea and minibar. Rates exclude a 14 percent destination fee.
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On Site: Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle