France: the Palace of Versailles reopened, visitors delighted

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Visitors wearing protective masks visit the Hall of Mirrors at the Château des Versailles on the day it reopens on June 6, 2020. REUTERS / Charles Platiau

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Symbol of the ongoing deconfinement, the Palace of Versailles, this jewel of French heritage with its 800 hectares of gardens, reopened on Saturday to the delight of visitors who rarely have the opportunity to visit the Palace of the Sun King in These conditions. Reportage.

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The gallery of mirrors, its 800 m2, 357 mirrors, its gilt dusted during confinement. And without its hordes of tourists. Happiness for Florence, who came among the first visitors yesterday morning.

“ It's almost a guided tour. We are in a small committee. We can move a little slower than usual. There is magic today. "

A feeling shared by Katia, a Ukrainian student in Paris.

“  The last time there were really a lot of tourists. We spent at least three hours to access it, that's why we are very happy today, that we can enjoy this beauty in France.  ”

To discover the Château, until further notice, you must reserve a time slot: maximum 500 people inside per hour. Even if it is full this weekend, it amounts to 4,500 visitors per day, a quarter of the usual attendance in this season. In return, for this privileged visit: wearing a mandatory mask from the age of 11 indoors, and a direction of traffic to follow.

Louis, 29, sees nothing wrong with it, on the contrary. “  The good thing is that everyone wears the mask correctly, people don't stick to each other. And here it is ... with confidence. That way it also supports culture a little bit in our own way.  "

Welcome support for the Palace of Versailles, which draws 70% of its revenues from the ticket office, and is today deprived of foreign tourists who usually make up 80% of its visitors.

► Read also: Coronavirus: 18 billion euros on the table to support tourism in France

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