French president's office appointed on Wednesday Catherine Pegard, a cabinet counselor, to head the national museum and public establishment of Versailles Palace, where the Sun King Louis XIV spent his golden time with the royal family.

Pegard, 57, was appointed by the cabinet to preside the state estate of Versailles with independent administrative and financial management under the supervision of French cultural ministry.

She will replace Jean-Jacques Aillagon, the ex-cultural minister who will soon turn 64.

Catherine Pegard has work experience as a political journalist and started as a counselor in the Elysee Palace for President Nicolas Sarkozy since 2007.

As the head of Versailles, she will be entitled to manage a consolidated budget of approximately 100 million euros (144.3 million U.S. dollars) per year with operating expenses mainly from ticket sales.

The Versailles, situated some 20 kilometers southwest of downtown Paris, is not only famous for its building and garden design but also for the representation of French cultural and royal history. It has been one of the most popular historical sites for tourists.