Versailles — Travelrags

National GeographicOct 12, 2026

How Vienna's Ball Scene Has Evolved in the Digital Age

While always popular in the Austrian capital, these events have taken off in the digital age, with online platforms drawing a new generation to fairytale dance floors.

10 things in this story

The Grand Masked BallFestivalrococo-style partying at the Palace of Versailles
Elsewhere
Hofburg PalaceAttractionVienna, Austriapalace dances opened to ordinary citizens
Vienna PhilharmonicFestivalVienna, Austriastoried evening held in the Musikverein concert hall
Elymayer School of DancePlaceVienna, Austriacity institution
Rainbow BallFestivalVienna, Austriadrag-optional ball held by LGBTQ+ advocates
Austria Trend Parkhotel SchönbrunnHotelVienna, Austriavenue for the Rainbow Ball
HipHop BallFestivalVienna, Austriabrings together an orchestra with local rapper
Palais NiederösterreichSightVienna, Austriavenue for the HipHop Ball
Il Ballo del DogeFestivalVenice, Italymasked ball staged at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia
Jane Austen BallsFestivalBath, United Kingdomseasonal balls celebrating Regency society

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Atlas ObscuraSep 14

'Pyramide de Verlée' in Havelange, Belgium

Verlée is a small hamlet located an hour and a quarter's drive south-east of Brussels. Apart from a few limestone farmhouses, the village itself is small and of little interest. However, when leaving Verlée via the road to Petit Avin, visitors are surprised to discover a stone obelisk in the middle of the countryside. It stands on a ridge alongside the road. There are no nearby buildings and no…

7 sights in this story

Palace of VersaillesSightorigin of grand central axis layout
Elsewhere
Pyramide de VerléeSightHavelange, Belgiumstone obelisk in the middle of the countryside
Château de BouillonSightHavelange, Belgiumlost castle, marked the end of an axis
Château de Vaux-Le-VicomteSightMaincy, France« Vaux-le-Vicomte est le rêve de Fouquet devenu réalité : à la fois palais majestueux et maison chaleureuse, lieu de…
La Hulpe CastleSightLa Hulpe, Belgium
Het Loo PalaceSightApeldoorn, The Netherlands
Wilhelmshöhe CastleSightKassel, Germany

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Lonely PlanetAug 6

12 best museums to visit in Paris

Discover the best museums to visit in Paris, including the best for Impressionist art, sculptures, history, dinosaurs and more.

19 things in this story

Château de VersaillesMuseumFormer home of French monarchy, excessively decadent.
Galerie des GlacesSightGrand ballroom adorned with 357 mirrors and windows.
La Grande EcurieAttractionFormer royal stables filled with historic horse-drawn carriages.
Elsewhere
Palais de TokyoMuseumParis, FranceHosts cutting-edge contemporary art exhibitions.
Musée d’OrsayMuseumParis, FranceOffers views of Paris from a clock on the 5th floor.
Musée RodinMuseumParis, FranceIt has two sites: the Hôtel Biron and surrounding grounds in central Paris, as well as just outside Paris at Rodin's…
Grand PalaisMuseumParis, FranceBuilt for World's Fair, main hall used for events.
Musée du LouvreMuseumParis, FranceWorld's biggest museum with over 380,000 objects.
Musée des Arts et MétiersMuseumParis, FranceHoused in a former royal priory, spans scientific instruments.
underground ossuaryMuseumParis, FranceHolds bones and skulls of millions of Parisians.
Musée National PicassoMuseumParis, FranceHouses Picasso's works in a 17th-century hôtel particulier.
BambiniRestaurantParis, FranceOverlooks a reflecting pool with Eiffel Tower views.
Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de ParisMuseumParis, FranceImpressive modern art collection spanning 20th and 21st centuries.
Muséum National d’Histoire NaturelleMuseumParis, FranceDisplays taxidermied animals, dinosaur skeletons, and rocks.
Jardin des PlantesParkParis, FranceA 2.5-hectare garden in Paris' Latin Quarter.
Musée CarnavaletMuseumParis, FranceParis' oldest museum, overview of the country's history.
Cathédrale Notre Dame de ParisPlace of worshipParis, FranceOriginal gargoyle displayed at Musée Carnavalet.
digital art galleryMuseumParis, FranceProjects classic art onto walls, floor, and ceiling.
Salle des ÉtatsSightParis, France

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National GeographicJun 25, 2025

These 3 cities near Paris deserve more than a day trip

If they weren’t eclipsed by the City of Light, Versailles, Chantilly, and Fontainebleau would be pilgrimages in their own right. Here’s why they’re worth an overnight stay. Chantilly, Fontainebleau, ...

23 things in this story

Chateau of VersaillesSightmind-blowing in its grandeur
Marché Notre-DameMarketone of the region’s finest food markets
La Boutique RoyaleSightsells Toile de Jouy fabrics, tableware, and goodies
OsmothèqueMuseumworld's largest fragrance archive
Quartier Saint-LouisNeighborhoodhistoric district to explore
King’s Kitchen GardenSightcreated in 1683 to supply the king's table
OreRestaurantAlain Ducasse's eatery in the Pavillon Dufour
La Petite VeniseRestauranteatery on the Grand Canal
La Table du 11Restaurantstandout dining option
Bistro du 11Restaurantby Michelin-starred chef Jean-Baptiste Lavergne-Morazzani
Xavier PinceminRestaurantrestaurant overseen by French Top Chef winner
LafayetteRestaurantpopular bistro
Elsewhere
LouvreMuseumParis, FranceFrance’s most important antique art museum
Chateau of FontainebleauSightFontainebleau, Francecoddled eight centuries’ worth of French monarchs
Chateau de ChantillyAttractionChantilly, Francerestored Renaissance masterpiece with gardens
Condé MuseumMuseumChantilly, Franceon-site museum with painting masterpieces
The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of BerryPlaceChantilly, France15th-century prayerbook known as the "Mona Lisa of manuscripts"
Le Hameau restaurantRestaurantChantilly, Franceserves crème Chantilly in thatched-roof cottages
l'Atelier de la ChantillyRestaurantChantilly, Francetastes riffs on classic whipped cream
HippodromeSightChantilly, France19th-century racecourse hosts close to 200 annual races
Great StablesSightChantilly, France18th-century structure superior to palaces of several kings
Living Museum of the HorseMuseumChantilly, Franceinside the Great Stables
InterContinental ChantillyHotelChantilly, Francesix miles away with contemporary decor

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