Versailles is a prosperous, leafy suburb and home to France’s most magnificent chateau. The Chateau de Versailles was started by Louis XIV in 1668 and grew up around Louis XIII’s original hunting lodge. It remained the seat of the royal court until 1789 when revolutionary rebels carted off Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette to be decapitated in Paris.

Versailles is a tourist hot spot so be careful to get there early in the morning if you actually want to see the palace. The 70m long Hall of Mirrors is where the 1919 Treaty of Versailles was signed, ending World War I. After the palace tour, head for the gardens complete with marble fountains, formal gardens and the Grand Canal which was built for Louis XIV’s boating parties.