At the beginning of the French Revolution in Versailles

Starting point and access: Versailles-Château-Rive Gauche station.
- RER - Line C.
Take the only exit at the front of the train and, after the gates, take the Avenue de Paris exit on the right.

The main points of interest are indicated in italics in the body of the description.

(S/E) Upon exiting the station, turn right onto Avenue du Général de Gaulle and walk along the west wing of the Town Hall. Pass the war memorial, then turn right onto Avenue de Paris and walk past the front of the Town Hall. At No. 6, note the Hôtel des Gendarmes, dating from 1732, and its beautiful gate. Cross Rue des États Généraux at the traffic lights and continue straight ahead (Préfecture des Yvelines on the other side of Avenue de Paris). At No. 22, the Hôtel des Menus Plaisirs, where the États Généraux were opened on 5 May 1789.

(1) Immediately afterwards, turn right onto Rue de l'Assemblée Nationale. At No. 3, there is a brick house decorated with earthenware. Cross Avenue des États Généraux again and continue straight ahead onto Rue Édouard Lefèbvre. Cross the railway tracks and walk past the Caserne d'Artois. Then cross Avenue de Sceaux in two stages (at the second set of traffic lights, former paint, chemical and window glass shop). Continue along Rue Édouard Charton.

(2) Take the first right, Rue d'Anjou (Virgin and Child in a corner niche). At No. 78, there is a house where the future Marshal Lyautey lived while he was a cadet at the Saint-Cyr military academy. At No. 55, there is the Caserne d'Anjou. Cross Rue Saint-Médéric and Rue de l'Orient on the right-hand side. At the traffic lights, cross Rue Royale and follow it to the right. Shortly afterwards, turn left into Carré à l'Avoine. You will come to a square; go around it on the right. Go under a porch and follow Passage Saint-Louis. Go under a second porch, turn right and cross a small square to arrive at the forecourt of Saint-Louis Cathedral.

(3) With your back to the cathedral entrance, go straight ahead and cross Place Saint-Louis. You will come out onto Rue du Général Leclerc; follow it to the left. At the traffic lights, turn right into Rue de Satory. Take the first left, Rue du Vieux Versailles, then take the first right, Rue du Jeu de Paume.

(4) After about 25 metres, go through a door on the right and enter the Salle du Jeu de Paume. Visit the room and take the exit at the back on the left. Return to Rue du Jeu de Paume and follow it to the right. At the end, turn left. Then turn left onto Rue Bailly. At the end, return to Rue du Vieux Versailles and follow it to the right. Take the first right, Rue des Recollets. Cross Rue Saint-Julien on the left and walk along the tall "Grand Commun" building on your left. At the traffic lights, turn right (do not cross Rue Pierre de Nolhac) and immediately cross the street at the pedestrian crossing.

(5) Immediately afterwards, take a tree-lined paved path on the right. After about 200 metres, turn left to cross Avenue de Sceaux in two stages. On the other side, follow the avenue to the right. At the next traffic lights, cross Avenue du Général de Gaulle and follow it to the left. You will soon reach Versailles-Château-Rive Gauche station (S/E).

To return home:
- RER - Line C, towards Paris.

Good trainers are sufficient for this short urban route.

Bars and restaurants along the route.

Opening hours of public places:
Jeu de Paume Room
Free admission every day except Monday, from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Useful detailed map (at least the one accompanying this description).

Hike completed by the author on 11 January 2026.

Historical notes:
- Estates General, opened on 5 May 1789.
- Tennis Court Oath, 20 June 1789.

Main monuments:
- Versailles-Château-Rive Gauche railway station (1840)
- Hôtel des Menus Plaisirs (1745).
- Saint-Louis Cathedral (1754).
- Jeu de Paume Hall (1686).