Musée du Jeu de Paume (Museum of the French Revolution), Versailles

The Museum of the French Revolution is among the most historically significant landmarks in Versailles. It was originally a court where members of the royal household played jeu de paume, a traditional ball game that served as a forerunner to modern tennis. On June 20, 1789, it became the setting for one of the most important turning points in French history, when deputies of the Third Estate locked themselves in this hall and vowed not to separate until they had established a constitution for France.

After that momentous event, the hall became a symbolic space for French democracy and revolution. Over the years its use shifted - from a sports hall, to storage, to studio space, and through periods of neglect. It was officially designated a Museum of the French Revolution in 1883, on the centennial of the Revolution, to preserve the memory of the oath and the ideals it represented. The hall was adorned with busts of deputies, decorative friezes, and other memorial elements.

In recent years the space has undergone restoration, most notably in 2021–2022, to bring back many of its original decorative features. The flooring, woodwork, painted walls, and other architectural details have been restored based on historical documentation to reflect the hall’s appearance around the time when the oath was taken.