PALÁCIO NACIONAL DE QUELUZ

Another palace once home to the Portuguese royal family, in Queluz, near Lisbon. Built in the 18th century, this former hunting lodge was transformed into a summer residence for Prince Peter III and Queen Maria, and is often dubbed the "Portuguese Versailles" for its rococo and neoclassical architecture and sumptuous formal gardens. A symbol of the refinement of the Portuguese court. Unlike the Château de Versailles, the Château de Queluz is on a human scale - all things considered, the palace is 7,000 m² in size. The surrounding gardens cover 33,000 m², an essential part of the charm of the place. Stroll around the Neptune fountain, a remarkable work by British sculptor John Cheere, and stroll along the symmetrical paths and carefully tended flowerbeds. The garden also features a plant labyrinth and groves offering more private, shaded areas, as well as a vast 115 m-long canal covered with azulejos, on which boats used to ply. Don't miss the spectacular Parterre de l'Océan, with sculptures of marine divinities and shells drawn from the marine imagination. In summer, the garden hosts a number of cultural events, a wonderful initiative to help visitors discover this historic site. Finally, a visit to the château itself consists of a succession of rooms, each more sumptuous than the last, all adorned with magnificent murals and antique furniture. You can visit the Queen's private apartments, the Music Room with its old instruments, the Throne Room and the Hall of Ambassadors (also known as the Hall of Mirrors), certainly one of the most spectacular rooms in the palace. It was used for royal receptions and official ceremonies. The palace's long corridors are one and the same in their refined luxury. The library, home to many antique books, is also open to the public, as are the guard room, the royal chapel and the azulejo room. Each has its own unique story to tell, and every detail has been carefully thought out to reflect the grandeur and culture of the period. It's easy to immerse yourself.