The Chapelle Royale is the fifth chapel built at Versailles, completed in 1710 and the last major addition to the palace under Louis XIV. It stands at the north end of the main building, its white stone interior rising through two levels: the court worshipped from an upper royal gallery, while the king stood directly above the altar — a spatial arrangement that made clear whose prayers were most important.
The chapel was designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, completed after his death by Robert de Cotte. The architecture draws on Gothic verticality — tall columns, high vaulted ceiling — while the decoration is unambiguously Baroque. The ceiling paintings by Antoine Coypel show the Trinity; the vault over the royal gallery depicts the Resurrection. Louis XIV reportedly heard mass here every morning at 10am, the one part of his day when the public could observe him in private devotion.
Several significant royal events took place here: the marriages of Louis XV, Louis XVI (to Marie Antoinette), and Louis XVIII. The gilded pipe organ was installed in 1711 and remains largely original.