The Battle of Versailles
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You have five moves to defend an empire. She has three to tear it down. The spotlights are on, the cards in hand are trembling, and at the end of the runway, someone will have rewritten fashion history.
WHAT IT IS ABOUT
The night America stole the runway from France
In November 1973, in Versailles, five American designers challenged the five big names in French fashion in a fashion show that would go down in history. On one side Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Cardin. On the other Halston, Oscar de la Renta, Bill Blass. The French show lasted two and a half hours, the American one just 37 minutes. America won. Eloi Pujadas and Ferran Renalias transformed that evening into an asymmetric card duel, illustrated by Malen Company.
In The Battle of Versailles, you are either France defending its status, or America trying to overturn the establishment. You play action cards to show off outfits, attract celebrities, spread gossip, and contribute to the reconstruction of the palace. But beware: the French have 5 actions per round, the Americans only 3. And the victory objectives are completely different. It's not about who plays best: it's about who understands first what their faction needs to do.
What they say abroad
"An elegant tug-of-war with asymmetric goals that capture the spirit of the original event."
An elegant tug-of-war with asymmetric goals that captures the spirit of the original event.
— Meeple Mountain
It's a game that promises tension in a few cards and tight deadlines. The card will be updated when we have more feedback from the field.
— FroGames
The Battle of Versailles
FrogScore · FroGames editorial rating · based on rules, international reviews and game sessionsYour weapons
Four types of cards to dominate the runway
Fashion cards
The clothes you show on the runway. Each card has a value and distinctive characteristics that earn you prestige points or bring you closer to your faction's objectives.
Celebrity cards
The stars to conquer: actors, journalists, socialites. Controlling the right celebrities can turn the tide of the game, as they count towards victory conditions for both factions.
Gossip cards
Rumors, scandals, gossip. You play them to sabotage your opponent, lower their prestige, or block their moves. Pure, elegant, and mean take-that.
Versailles cards
Contributions to the palace's reconstruction. Exclusive objective for the French: the more you invest here, the more national pride you accumulate and the closer you get to victory.
Recommended sleeves 80 cards in 1 size ▼
If you play often, we recommend protecting your cards with transparent sleeves to make them last longer.
| Size | Quantity |
|---|---|
| 75 × 105 mm | 80 |
| Total cards | 80 |
Come si gioca
Video dimostrativo di gameplay.
🎲How to playThe rules in four steps▼
How to play
The flow of each round
The game proceeds in alternating rounds until one deck runs out or a victory condition is met.
The French player performs up to 5 actions: draw cards, play fashion/celebrity/gossip, contribute to Versailles, activate special effects. Slow but powerful pace.
The American player performs up to 3 actions. Same range of choices, but must do more with less: every move counts double, every mistake costs dearly.
The effects of played cards are applied: movements on the prestige track, celebrity control, gossip penalties, Versailles contribution bonuses.
It is checked whether a faction has achieved its specific objectives. If so, the game ends immediately. Otherwise, the next round begins.
⏱️Your first gameThe chronicle, moment by moment▼
A game in five moments
What happens at the table
Not the rules. The experience.
Asymmetrical setup
Choose your factions. France stacks 5 action tokens, America only 3. Look at the decks: different objectives, different paces. From the setup, you already understand that this game will not be symmetrical.
First cards, first clashes
America plays fast: 3 actions, precise choices, no waste. France moves with more breathing room but must defend prestige and Versailles. The first celebrities enter the game, the first gossips fly.
Tug of war
The prestige track fluctuates. Each card played shifts the balance: a conquered celebrity earns points for you and takes them away from them. The tug-of-war is literal: you advance, you retreat, you count the remaining moves.
The last round
The cards run out. You check the objectives: prestige, celebrities, innovation, Versailles. One of you won without the other realizing it. The game ends and someone says: wait, how?
Recount and revenge
Verify all victory conditions. One faction has met its objectives, the other has not. Switch factions and replay immediately: it's a completely different game from the other side.
🐸Good to know beforeThree honest things, from friends▼
Good to know before
Three things to know before buying it
True asymmetry
It's not a symmetrically balanced game. France and America have different actions, different objectives, different paces. One faction may seem stronger until you switch sides and realize the other also has its hidden advantages. It requires two games (one per faction) to evaluate it.
Niche theme
If you're not at all interested in the history of fashion or the 1973 event, the theme might leave you cold. The game works as a card-driven tactical duel, but the setting is half the charm: without it, it remains an abstract tug-of-war dressed as a fashion show.
Limited replayability
The card deck is fixed, strategies stabilize after 4-5 games per faction. There is no variable setup, no announced expansions. It is a concentrated and refined duel, but if you are looking for a game with 50+ different games, this one runs out sooner.
🏆Victory and defeatWhat the ending rewards▼
How it ends
How to win (and each faction wins differently)
The game ends immediately when a faction meets its victory conditions. France and America have completely different objectives.
Victory (France)
- Maintain prestige above a certain threshold on the track
- Control the most influential celebrities
- Accumulate enough contributions to the reconstruction of Versailles to satisfy national pride
Victory (America)
- Steal enough prestige from France to flip the track
- Control key celebrities who shift public opinion
- Show the most distinctive innovations on clothing (unique features of American fashion cards)
The Battle of Versailles is a pure asymmetric duel that puts you in the shoes of two warring fashion eras. Half an hour, two factions, zero compromises.
💬Frequently Asked QuestionsQuick answers before checkout▼
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ about The Battle of Versailles
What mechanics does The Battle of Versailles use?
The game is an asymmetric card-driven tug-of-war: you play cards from your hand to influence shared tracks (prestige, celebrities, Versailles) and achieve different objectives depending on your faction. Direct take-that via gossip, hand management to optimize your few actions.
Is it difficult to learn?
No. The basic rules are explained in 10 minutes: draw cards, play actions, resolve effects. The complexity lies in understanding what to pursue with your faction and when to sabotage your opponent. The first game is exploratory, by the second you're already in.
How long does a game last?
30-45 real minutes. The game is fast precisely because America only has 3 actions per turn: even if France has 5, the rounds flow. It's an intense but compact duel, perfect for playing two in a row by switching factions.
Is it worth playing both factions?
Absolutely. Playing only one faction gives you half the game: the asymmetric objectives make the experience completely different from the other side. The real satisfaction is understanding how to win with both, because they require opposite plans.
Is it available in Italian?
No. This edition is in English. The cards contain text (names of outfits, effects, celebrities): a basic knowledge of the language or the use of translated references is required. No Italian editions have been announced yet.
The people behind the game
Who invented it, who designed it, who publishes it — and what else they've done.
The Battle of Versailles is a competitive card game for 2 players designed by Eloi Pujadas and Ferran Renalias, published by Salt & Pepper Games. Duration 30-45 minutes, recommended age 14+. Asymmetric card-driven mechanic with tug-of-war and different objectives per faction. Set in the historic 1973 fashion challenge between American and French designers. Includes 80 cards illustrated by Malen Company. Available on FroGames.it.
The Battle of Versailles
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
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📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
We always strive to provide the correct content, but minor variations are possible due to reprints or updates. The information comes directly from the publishers. If you have any questions, please contact us!
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