Versailles Palace will be the backdrop for the Live 8 concert in Paris, one of eight concerts scheduled July 2 worldwide to raise awareness of poverty in Africa.
"We need an iconic building to represent the wealth of our countries," organizer Bob Geldof told reporters Friday.
"There is a great, rich symbolism," Geldof said, referring to the ornate 17th-century palace west of Paris. "In a global event like this, you must talk symbols."
"Also, I wanted a nice place to stay for the night," he said, laughing.
The goal of the free concerts, also to be held in Berlin, London, Philadelphia, Rome, Tokyo, Toronto and Johannesburg, South Africa, is to push for a political solution for African poverty ahead of a summit of Group of Eight industrialized countries next month.
Geldof rejected complaints from some critics who insist the concerts don't include enough African artists, saying the idea was to "get eyeballs" of millions of people onto TV screens around the world.
"We need the biggest artists as defined by popularity and sales," he said.
Destiny's Child and Linkin Park have been added to the lineup for the Philadelphia concert. The additions were announced Thursday, one day after organizers said rapper 50 Cent wouldn't be able to perform because of a scheduling conflict involving his new movie.