Versailles goes kitsch as Jeff Koons's giant Lobster moves into the palace

The palace of Versailles will undergo a kitsch revolution with the opening of a controversial exhibition by pop artist Jeff Koons, amid cries from traditionalists that it is sacrilegious to bring works like his inflatable lobster into the palace of the Sun King.

Some 17 oeuvres have been hand-picked by the 53-year old"king of kitsch" to hang in the 17th century chateau and home to the French monarchy until the Revolution.

Among those on display in the Grand Apartment, the Hall of Mirrors and other historic rooms is the nine-foot stainless steel red Hanging Heart, which fetched $23.6 million (£12 million) last year, making Mr Koons the most expensive living artist.