Auditorium of the Dufour Pavilion – Palace of Versailles

The Dufour Pavilion, whose redevelopment began in September 2013, opened to the public on 23 February 2016. This new “gateway” to the Palace of Versailles was created by the architect Dominique Perrault, and combines restoration, rehabilitation and contemporary intervention in a single project. Dominique Perrault has rethought the entire inaugural sequence of the Palace while preserving the physiognomy of the buildings (volumetry, proportions and dimensions).

The building is assigned to four main functions:

1. the basement of the Cour des Princes for circulation and services (toilets, shop, etc.) and the exit,
2. the garden level for the reception, control and information of visitors,
3. the 1st floor for a contemporary café,
4. finally the 2nd floor for an auditorium and its ancillary facilities.

Designed by Dominique Perrault and Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost, the auditorium, occupying the attic space, is entirely clad in wood, a material that provides acoustics and décor. The wooden slats are fireproof by factory application of Verniflam® AITHON PV33 intumescent system , which gives the support a Euroclass B,s1-d0.

Architects: Dominique Perrault | Gaëlle Lauriot-Prévost
Photos: ©Palace of Versailles | C. Milet