Witty narration follows the history of Versailles Palace; founded by Louis XIII, enlarged by autocratic Louis XIV, whose personal affairs and amours, and those of his two successors, are followed in more detail to the start of the Revolution, after which the story is brought rapidly up to date. A huge cast plays mainly historical persons who appear briefly.

Sacha Guitry
as Louis XIV (older)

Bourvil
as Museum guard

Lana Marconi
as Marie-Antoinette / Nicole Legay

Gaby Morlay
as Countess de la Motte

Gérard Philipe
as D'Artagnan

Jean Marais
as Louis XV

Jean Desailly
as Marivaux

Jean-Louis Barrault
as Fénelon

Jeanne Boitel
as Mrs. de Sévigné

Gilbert Bokanowski
as Louis XVI