Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle to open in June with restaurant by Alain Ducasse

Airelles has announced that Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle, will make its debut on 1 June with dining experiences by acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse.

The property, which comprises 14 rooms and suites, has been created from a trio of Louis XIV buildings beside the Orangerie parterre, within which are a Grand Salon, a restaurant helmed by Alain Ducasse and a Valmont spa and pool.

Le Grand Contrôle will mark the sixth property for the hotel collection, which comprises Les Airelles in  Courchevel, La Bastide in Gordes, Mademoiselle in Val d’Isère and Château de la Messardière and Pan Deï Palais in Saint-Tropez.

Guests will be transported back to the 18th century through Christophe Tollemer’s meticulous restoration and interior design. The highly revered architect and interior designer has drawn direct inspiration for the project from the neighbouring Petit Trianon Palace and Louis XVI’s personal style, focusing on 1788 as a benchmark, the year in which Marie Antoinette redecorated Petit Trianon as well as that of Le Grand Contrôle’s last inventory.

A number of highly-respected French artisans and craftspeople have also been commissioned to restore and recreate the many historical features, including flooring, fabrics, stonework and wood panelling.

Guests of Le Grand Contrôle can look forward to an aristocratic culinary offering provided by the internationally-acclaimed chef, Alain Ducasse. With 20 Michelin stars to his name, Ducasse has created a menu inspired by the flamboyant nature of Louis XIV’s meals.

With uninterrupted views onto the Orangery parterre, the restaurant will serve a selection of reimagined French classics during the day along with a dedicated Marie Antoinette afternoon tea.

Dinner will be a more theatrical affair, reminiscent of the King’s royal banquets, with the restaurant team in period costume. A bell will ring at 8pm to signal the beginning of dinner, where guests will experience a five-course gourmet feast including contemporary adaptations of 18th century favourites such as veau à la bourgeoise.

Airelles has curated a number of experiences, providing access to areas of the Château and grounds that are normally closed to visitors. One such experience is, ‘A supper & symphony’, a dinner for two created by Ducasse in the setting of the Orangery and Garden with the accompaniment of a string quartet.

As part of the experience guests can enjoy a private tour of the gardens of Versailles complete with a picnic lunch; a tour of the Queen’s vegetable garden with the hotel’s head chef; a cookery masterclass with the Ducasse culinary team using freshly-picked produce; and a dinner enjoying the dishes created earlier during the masterclass.