The Grand Trianon: Louis XIV's Private Retreat

In "Grand Trianon," grand means large or majestic, while Trianon was the name of the village that originally stood on this site. The name thus means "the great mansion at Trianon."

Louis XIV held this place in special affection. He once said, "I built Versailles for the state, and Trianon for myself" — a telling remark from a king who spent more than eight hours a day on affairs of state and turned to the Grand Trianon as a retreat for rest and private life.

Much of the building was damaged during the French Revolution. Napoleon later had it thoroughly redecorated and stayed here from time to time with Empress Marie-Louise. Louis-Philippe, too, was fond of the place in later years.