Chateau de Versailles pictured in the background during an equestrian event at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. GETTY IMAGES

The world’s best Paralympic equestrian athletes will battle for gold medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with one of the most glamorous backdrops an Olympics or Paralympics has ever seen in the form of the Chateau de Versailles.

The Palace of Versailles, aka the Château de Versailles, is one of the 18 venues being used for all competitions at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Located within the designated UNESCO World Heritage site Versailles, there are few Olympic or Paralympic venues in history that boast the same grandeur as the one being used for this summer's equestrian events. 

The temporary arena in Versailles pictured in August 2024 while being used for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. GETTY IMAGES
The temporary arena in Versailles pictured in August 2024 while being used for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. GETTY IMAGES

Once the home of King Louis XIV in 1682, the site became the epicentre of French royalty for years following and the unofficial capital of the Kingdom of France as its ostentatious array of luxurious artefacts and amenities grew year on year. 

Today the Palace contains over 2,300 rooms situated over more than 63,000 square metres. The extravagant palace grounds, along with its world-renowned gardens are where the 76 Para athletes and their horses reigning from 49 different nations will be lucky enough to reside this week.

Britain's Georgia Wilson competes in the Para Equestrian Grade II individual event during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at the Chateau de Versailles on September 3, 2024. GETTY IMAGES
Britain's Georgia Wilson competes in the Para Equestrian Grade II individual event during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at the Chateau de Versailles on September 3, 2024. GETTY IMAGES

The same temporary outdoor arena that saw Germany take four golds during this summer's Olympic Games equestrian events will be used for the Paralympic adapted equestrian from Tuesday 3 September through Saturday 7 September.

Found in the heart of the palace’s iconic gardens on the Etoile Royale esplanade, the venue will once again dazzle 16,000 spectators as jumping and dressage competitions take place.