Versailles On Fire In France

• 11.06.2024, 18:25

Hundreds of people were evacuated from the palace.

Visitors to the Palace of Versailles were evacuated after a fire alarm went off, BFMTV reports. Videos on social media show smoke rising from the building. Firefighters arrived at the scene, hundreds of people were waiting behind the fence of the palace and park complex.

The press service of the complex reported that the fire started in the Marble Courtyard, where the royal residence was located. They added that no one was hurt, and the exhibits on display were not damaged.

The fire and rescue service of the Yvelines department confirmed that a “very important” fire operation has been underway since about 15:30 local time (16:30 Minsk time), Le Figaro reports.

The Palace of Versailles is a monument of national importance in France, the complex occupies an area of about 787 hectares. About 15 million tourists visit it annually.

The palace was the main residence of the kings of France from Louis XIV to Louis XVI. In 1979, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The palace was last evacuated in October 2023 due to a bomb threat.

On April 15, 2019, Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire, burning for more than 12 hours. As a result, the spire and a third of the roof collapsed, but they were restored by the autumn of 2023. Forensic experts named faulty electrical wiring as one of the possible causes. The restored cathedral will open to visitors on December 8.