What a great idea, using the château de Versailles for interesting exhibitions, like the recent ones by Jeff Koons and Karl Lagerfeld. Currently, they are hosting a new photo exhibition: 150 shots taken over 160 years, all inspired by the château and its multiple photo ops. You can even enter a contest with your own photo and win a special day’s shooting around the place! Here’s all the info…

Visitors in the Apoll room 2009, Nathalie Darbellay, October 2009, from the artist's collection © Nathalie Darbellay

It’s not hard to take an nice shot of Versailles, but finding something really spectacular that hasn’t been seen before? A challenge! Versailles photographié 1850-2010 shows how the place has inspired famous photographers such as Atget, Man Ray, Brassaï, Kertész, Doisneau, Cartier-Bresson… as well as more contemporary names such as Depardon.

Reception for the Czar Nicolas II in 1896. Arrival of the procession in the ceremonial courtyard, Anonymous, Château de Versailles © château de Versailles

The exhibition is split into four themed sections.

- « Versailles through the ages » shows how the Château has been the setting for many momentous events.
- « Stone, marble and silk » showcases the wonderful architecture of the buildings and luxuriousness of the interiors.
- « Taming nature » concentrates on the multiple facets of the park and grounds.
- « Dreams of Versailles » gives free rein to the different photographic treatments inspired by this exceptional setting.

View of the orangery gardens, Jean-Baptiste Leroux, 2001, from the artist's collection © Photographie Jean-Baptiste Leroux/château de Versailles

If you would like to take part in the photo contest, click here to find out how. You can take a look at the photos submitted at the bottom of his page. Looks like half the people haven’t even read that only landscape format shots are allowed!

The exhibition Versailles photographié 1850-2010 at the Château de Versailles (here) continues until 25th April 2010. Open every day except Mondays from 9am – 5pm. Admission: 15€

Official site: www.chateauversailles.fr

To see the slideshow, click the play button followed by the four little arrows at the bottom right to go into fullscreen mode.