close

Versailles Palace evacuated again in security scare with France on heightened alert against attacks

By Ap 1 min read
1 / 7

Security stands near the grounds of The Palace of Versailles on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 in Versailles, France. One of France's most visited tourist attractions, was evacuated for a security scare, for the the second time in four days, with France on heightened alert against feared attacks after the fatal stabbing of a school teacher.

2 / 7

Workers wait outside the gate at The Palace of Versailles on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 in Versailles, France. One of France's most visited tourist attractions, was evacuated for a security scare, for the the second time in four days, with France on heightened alert against feared attacks after the fatal stabbing of a school teacher.

3 / 7

Police escort tourist from the grounds at The Palace of Versailles on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 in Versailles, France. One of France's most visited tourist attractions, was evacuated for a security scare, for the the second time in four days, with France on heightened alert against feared attacks after the fatal stabbing of a school teacher.

4 / 7

Tourist wait outside The Palace of Versailles on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 in Versailles, France. One of France's most visited tourist attractions, was evacuated for a security scare, for the the second time in four days, with France on heightened alert against feared attacks after the fatal stabbing of a school teacher.

5 / 7

Tourists wait as French police officers guard the Chateau de Versailles after a security alert Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 in Versailles, west of Paris. The Palace of Versailles, one of France's most visited tourist attractions, is being evacuated for a security scare. It's the second time in four days the palace has had to close, with France on heightened alert against feared attacks after the fatal stabbing of a school teacher.

6 / 7

French police officers guard the entrance of the Chateau de Versailles after a security alert Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 in Versailles, west of Paris. The Palace of Versailles, one of France's most visited tourist attractions, is being evacuated for a security scare. It's the second time in four days the palace has had to close, with France on heightened alert against feared attacks after the fatal stabbing of a school teacher.

7 / 7

FILE - Visitors enjoy the Chateau de Versailles gardens, outside Paris, France, on July 15, 2023. The Louvre Museum in Paris and Versailles Palace evacuated visitors and staff Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 after receiving bomb threats. The government has put France on high security alert after a fatal school stabbing by a suspected extremist.

PARIS (AP) — The Palace of Versailles, one of France’s most visited tourist attractions, was evacuated Tuesday because of a security scare for the second time in four days, with France on heightened alert against feared attacks after the fatal stabbing of a school teacher.

The former royal palace’s account on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “For security reasons, the Palace of Versailles is evacuating visitors and closing its doors today Tuesday October 17. Thank you for your understanding.”

Following a police inspection, the palace was cleared to reopen in the afternoon, National Police said.

The palace as well as the Louvre Museum in Paris were also evacuated on Saturday after receiving bomb threats.

France stepped up its terror alert level in the wake of the school attack in the northern city of Arras last Friday by a suspected Islamic extremist.

The vast Versailles palace was the home of King Louis XVI before his decapitation during the French Revolution. It will be one of the venues for the Paris Olympics next year, hosting horse riding.

CUSTOMER LOGIN

If you have an account and are registered for online access, sign in with your email address and password below.

NEW CUSTOMERS/UNREGISTERED ACCOUNTS

Never been a subscriber and want to subscribe, click the Subscribe button below.

Starting at $4.79/week.

Subscribe Today