For the tercentenary of King Louis XIV (1715-2015), Palace of Versailles organize the exhibition The King is dead (Le Roi est mort in French), from 27 October 2015 to 21 February 2016.

The exhibition give details of the death, autopsy and funeral of Louis XIV. Works of art and historical documents situate them in the funeral context of European sovereigns from the Renaissance period to the Enlightenment.

For the first time, ceremonial portraits, funeral statues and effigies, gravestones, the manuscript for the account of the autopsy of the king, coins from the Saint-Denis Treasury, gold medals, emblems and ornaments, and furniture of funeral liturgy are exhibited in public.

Arts works show how Louis XIV was a great king in the government, as a war leader, in diplomacy, in religion and in arts. Autopsy and embalming, ceremony, funeral convoy are presented.

The exhibition is open every day except Monday (and on Thursday 25th December 2015 and 1st January 2016) from 9:00am to 5:30pm (last entry at 4:45pm).
Admission included in Palace tickets.

A free audio guide, from 8 years of age, is available in English to provide a better understanding of the exhibition.

You can free dowload the Game bookled : Le Petit Quotidien, in english, for kids.

You can also buy the exhibition catalogue [336 pages, 44,90 €]