BTS V Becomes First International Artist Honored at Versailles Palace
BTS member V made history at France's Palace of Versailles, becoming the first foreign artist to receive a permanent tribute at the iconic landmark's Trianon gardens. Global fan groups adopted a stone bench in his name to celebrate his 30th birthday on December 30.
Fan organizations V Union, Worldwide_KTH, and taehyungtuesday led the project through Versailles' official "Adopt a Bench in the Estate of Trianon" heritage program. Thirteen fanbases from Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Spain, and other countries participated.
Palace officials confirmed V is the first international celebrity honored this way since the Trianon patronage campaign began in 2014.
The Bench Adoption Program
The tribute utilized Versailles' heritage patronage initiative, which funds restoration of the palace's historic gardens. Stone bench adoptions cost €8,000 (approximately $8,700) and include a small brass plaque with the donor's name placed on the ground beside the bench.
Trianon's gardens contain 40 stone benches and 78 wooden benches available for adoption. The program helps maintain the UNESCO World Heritage Site while giving patrons a lasting connection to Versailles' history.
The Paris Connection
Fans selected Versailles for its significance to V's career. After completing mandatory military service in June 2025, Paris hosted his first official post-discharge event-Celine's Spring 2026 fashion show in July 2025.
V serves as global ambassador for Celine. At Paris Fashion Week 2025, his appearance generated $13.1 million in earned media value, ranking #1 among all musicians.
The location also carried personal meaning through V's November 2024 single "Winter Ahead," a jazz-pop collaboration with Park Hyo Shin that showcased cinematic European aesthetics, though official filming locations haven't been disclosed.
A Lasting Cultural Tribute
V's name will remain permanently at the Trianon gardens, one of Europe's most visited landmarks. Versailles attracts nearly 15 million visitors annually, making the tribute visible to a global audience.
The Trianon estate served as a private retreat for French royalty. The bench dedication places V's name within the heritage of the historic gardens, where visitors can rest while exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Worldwide Birthday Projects
The Versailles bench was part of global celebrations for V's 30th birthday. Chinese fans sponsored a commercial airplane, while screens in Shanghai and Seoul displayed birthday tributes. Projects appeared in Colombia, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan.
V celebrated with BTS members at HYBE headquarters in Seoul, marking one of their first public reunions since all members completed military service in mid-2025. The group is preparing for their 2026 comeback.
