Palace of Versailles: Facts & History Palace of Versailles: Facts & History By Owen Jarus, Live Science Contributor | August 14, 2013 07:03pm ET MORE The Palace of Versailles, the seat of French royalty, is about 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Paris. Credit: Worakit Sirijinda | Shutterstock The Palace of Versailles is the central part of a complex that housed the French government, most notably its royalty, during the reigns of Louis XIV (France’s famed “Sun King”), Louis XV and Louis XVI. After the French Revolution in 1789, it ceased to be a permanent royal residence. Located about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southwest of Paris, it is beside the settlement of Versailles. Before the construction of the palace by Louis XIV, this settlement was little more than a hamlet but by the time of the revolution it had a population of more than 60,000 people, making it one of the largest urban centers in France.

Before the revolution, the Versailles complex included the palace, gardens, a walled-in royal hunting ground, a smaller palatial structure known as the Grand (or Marble) Trianon and an estate used by Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI’s queen. Between the palace and the town there are also buildings that housed the war and foreign affairs ministries, residences for those not entitled to live in the palace, stables and a kennel, among other structures. The palace was chock full of paintings and sculptures, ornately designed rooms (like the “Hall of Mirrors”) and even technological innovations — such as pressurized water fountains in its gardens that jetted water into the air — and an opera house with a mechanical device that allowed the orchestra pit to rise up to the stage, allowing it to be turned into a dance or banqueting hall. Overall, the palace was built to impress. “Versailles is a mirage, a sumptuous and theatrical entertainment.

It is also a manifestation of glory and power imposed to a great extent by art, luxury, and magnificence,” writes Valérie Bajou, a modern-day curator at Versailles, in her book "Versailles" (Abrams, 2012). From hunting lodge to palace The first thing that attracted France’s kings to Versailles was its prolific game. Louis XIII, who lived 1601-1643, bought up land, built a chateau and went on hunting trips. At the time, much of the land around Versailles was uncultivated allowing wild animals to flourish. The chateau Louis XIII built was little more than a hunting lodge having enough space to house the king and a small entourage. It was the “Sun King,” Louis XIV (1638-1715), a ruler who chose the sun as his emblem and believed in centralized government with the king at its center, who would radically transform Versailles making it the seat of France’s government by the time of his death.

He ruled France for 72 years and in that time transformed Versailles by encompassing Louis XIII’s chateau with a palace that contained north and south wings, as well as nearby buildings housing ministries. A series of gardens, created in a formal style, stood to the west of the palace (one of them today is in the shape of a star) and contained sculptures as well as the pressurized fountains capable of launching water high into the air. Versailles features many fountains that were technological marvels for their time. Credit: Joan Quevado Fle Shutterstock “From the outset Louis attached a supreme importance to these water effects. Their virtuosity formed the star turn of a tour of the gardens,” writes Tony Spawforth, a professor at Newcastle University, in his book "Versailles: A Biography of a Palace" (St. Martin’s Press, 2008). “The effects were the work of engineers whose machines made Versailles a hydraulic as much as an artistic wonder.” Unfortunately, Spawforth notes, problems supplying water meant that the fountains could only be turned on during special occasions.

In addition a grand canal, constructed to the west of the garden and running about a mile long, was used for naval demonstrations and had gondolas, donated by the Republic of Venice, manned by gondoliers. As the French government moved into Versailles, and the king found himself swamped by work in his palace, he built himself the Grand (also called Marble) Trianon, a more modest palatial structure, about a mile (1.6 kilometers) to the northwest of the palace as a private retreat where only he and those invited could visit. Like the palace itself it had an abundant garden whose smells were said to overpower visitors “The tuberoses drive us away from Trianon every evening,” wrote Madame de Maintenon in a letter dated Aug. 8, 1689. “The excess of fragrance causes men and women to feel ill.” (Source: Versailles official website ) Scholars have suggested a number of factors that led Louis XIV to build a great palace complex at Versailles and move the French government there. It’s been noted that by keeping the king’s residence some distance from Paris, it offered him protection from any civil unrest going on in the city.

It also forced the nobles to travel to Versailles and seek lodging in the palace, something that impeded their ability to build up regional power bases that could potentially challenge the king. Sparforth notes that the French Duke Saint-Simon (1675-1755) commented on how easy it was to see all the officials he needed because they were all located in one complex. Saint-Simon wrote that someone at Versailles “could see everyone he needed in the space of an hour,” something that would have taken much longer in Paris. Inside the palace Spawforth notes that the palace contained about 350 living units varying in size, from multi-room apartments to spaces about the size of an alcove. The size and location of the room a person got depended on their rank and standing with the king. While the crown prince (known as the dauphin) got a sprawling apartment on the ground floor, a servant may have nothing more than a space in an attic or a makeshift room behind a staircase.

The bedroom of Louis XIV, built on the upper floor and located centrally along the east-west axis of the palace, was the most important room and was the location of two important ceremonies where the king would wake up (lever) and go to sleep (coucher) surrounded by his courtiers. The king also had a ceremony for putting on and taking off his hunting boots. “The room where the king slept became the nucleus of the residence and, therefore, of the kingdom,” Bajou writes. The importance of the courtiers being at these ceremonies continued into the reigns of Louis XV and XVI. Spawforth notes that a courtier in 1784 wrote that “most of the people who come to the court are persuaded that, to make their way there, they must show themselves everywhere, be absent as little possible at the king’s lever, removal of the boots, and coucher, show themselves assiduously at the dinners of the royal family ... in short, must ceaselessly work at having themselves noticed.” Complementing these court ceremonies was the beauty of the palace itself, which emphasized the achievements and power of the king. The king’s bedroom and apartment area were located close to the Hall of Mirrors.

Spawforth writes that the hall has 30 tableaux that tell an “epic narrative” of what “Louis (XIV) as King of France aspired to be.” Victory in battle features prominently in these narratives with one example showing Louis with his army crossing the Rhine River in 1672. “Hair streaming, dressed in Roman style and holding a thunderbolt like a projectile, Louis sits godlike on a silver chariot pushed by Hercules while riding roughshod over female personifications of nearby enemy towns.” The design of the hall added to the effect. “Viewing was to be helped by the famous wall of mirrors, which diffuses the daylight, except above the windows, where the detail is shadowy.” The Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. Louis XIV - Palace of Versailles Louis XIV Print The Sun King (1638-1715) The “Grand Century” of Louis XIV was marked by the image of an absolute Monarch and a powerful State. Installed in his royal functions at a very young age, and educated by Cardinal Mazarin, the Sun King built the foundations of absolutism around his own person.

In 1682, he moved with his Court to the Château de Versailles, a palace that was a better symbol of his power and his influence in Europe. Known as “Louis-Dieudonné”, Louis XIV was born in 1638 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Crowned king at the age of 5 on the death of his father Louis XIII, the young sovereign received from his mother, Anne of Austria, and from Cardinal Mazarin, his godfather, a complete education. Mazarin was officially in charge of introducing him to politics. His mother ruled as Regent; it was the time of the Fronde (1648-1653), the rebellion of the upper nobility and the people of Paris against the monarch. The young Louis felt humiliated by the arrogance of these nobles and threatened in his capital: he would remember this. The royal family In 1660, Louis XIV married his first cousin Maria Theresa of Austria, the Spanish Infanta, in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Their union reinforced the reconciliation between France and Spain. The King and the Queen had six children. Only one survived, Louis de France.

In 1683, the King secretly married Madame de Maintenon who succeeded his first ‘favourites’, Mademoiselle de La Vallière and Madame de Montespan, with whom he had several legitimate descendents. Homepage - Palace of Versailles Festivities and Entertainment November 29th 2016 to March 26th 2017 The exhibition shows the infinite variety and ingenuity of entertainment provided at Court from Louis XIV to the French Revolution on courtiers’ point of view Welcome to Versailles An interactive map Discover the Palace and Estate through this interactive map. With a few clicks, prepare your visit, explore a place and look up the nearest service. The apartments of the King's favourites A video by Google Arts & Culture Brady Haran is taking us to The Palace of Versailles to meet the mistresses of Louis XV of France and visit their private apartments. Kim Dyer (kimbis@aol.com) March 6, 1995 Visitor Accounts Nicole, 17, from Naples, FL, USA. wrote: Versailles is beautiful.

I went with the baron collier marching band to Paris over the Christmas and new years break of 2000-2001. The gardens were beautiful and the palace itself was really neat. I especially liked the kings chapel that was at the beginning of the tour. The artwork was something to see, there were many depictions of either Greek or roman gods. The kings clock was also pretty neat. There were a few original tapestries and floor coverings in the palace and it is definably a place to visit. The hall of mirrors was also great. Another great palace to visit is the Louve. They have converted most of it into a museum and you can see many of great artworks there including the statue of Aphrodite (or Venus), Mona Lisa, and the Crown Jewels. Ellen, 15, from Alaska, wrote: Versailles is so rich and beautiful that it is almost tiring! There are so many little cool things- for example, if you look at the floor in the hall of mirrors one way, the wood looks dark, then if you turn around, it is light!

Jimmy, 14, from North Eastern, USA, wrote: Versailles is not a castle it is known as a palace that was used by the kings of France. One of the most famous who lived there was Louis XIV. Even though this is an enormous place it's not a chateau. Besides that fact this place is simply amazing but often hard to get through because it is so crowded but the art work in it is simply amazing. Kyle Walsh, 16, from Michigan USA, wrote: Versailles is an absolutely awesome palace. It is probably the best in the entire world. The building is not only massive, but every square foot is beautiful and you can really see the true power of the monarchs at the time. If you have the opportunity to go anywhere, go to Paris and make that little trip out to Versailles, because it is an experience you will never forget. Don't hesitate to E-mail if you have more questions. Jenni Zhu, 13, from California, wrote: When I arrived in Paris, on Sep.9th, my first impulse was to visit the Chateau of Versailles, when my dad and his friend finally took my sister and I to the castle, I was so tooken back.

The Chateau means a lot to me, I really liked the interior, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen's Apartments, I think are the best in the main part. The gardens, when I went, was in the winter, but besides that, there was an storm of some sort and it destroyed the forests and gardens and broke the exterior of the Chateau the year before. But the majesty of the palace was overwhelming. Rachel Saincere Saint-Just, 15, from Paris France, wrote: Visiting Le Palace de Versailles was a stunning experience for me. So much feeling, memory, and history emerged from every gilded door of what was once a splendid home for the French nobility of my ancestry…something I had never felt before. The utmost care, material, luxury, taste, and thought was invested in every ornate and glimmering detail in this palace.

When I visited the Summer Cottage of le former Archduchess of Austria, who's name was changed for the sake of our former court's etiquette, Maria Antonia, and the Grand Trianon, a blanket of serenity and comfort permeated through my nerves as I watched the blue ponds, lush green grasses, bright and joyous flowers, and all the color and life through the gardens and halls of the grand palace. Some tears streamed down my cheeks from the thought of the aristocracy being guillotined in the Pasta Le Crepe in front of jeering crowds of the Republic, after being escorted from their loved life at the court. Lana Clark, 17, from Michigan USA, wrote: Versailles is sooo beautiful compared to what we have here in the States. The castle itself was gorgeous, but my favorite part was walking around the gardens and seeing Marie Antoinette's little farmhouse. I went with a tour group in the summer, and everything was green. It was one of my favorite places in Paris. Katrina, 20, from Matlock Washington, USA, wrote: Versailles, is a wonderful castle. It is beautiful and awe inspiring.

But if you go to see it make sure that you schedule a lot of time to do so. It is large, and you won't want to miss anything. The fountains are great. It took so much water to run all of the fountains in Versailles that they only turned them on when the King went by. Now they run them one day a week. If you want to see them be sure to find out which day. Sharon, 42, from Arkansas, wrote: Versailles - too beautiful to really describe. Many beautiful things set in beautiful rooms. The walls and ceilings would be wanderfull to see even if there wasn't anything in them! You would really need to spend several days going through the whole place. The palace alone has many wonderful rooms to go through. Then the gardens with the fountains and statues is another great place to see. You really need to spend at least one day here! Deonte Kelly, 21, from London, England, wrote: I once visited Versailles, and when I went I didn't want to go back to London. The castles interior was so precious that I can't even describe it. One place I did visit while in the castle was the Hall of Mirrors.

It was extravagant. I've seen many castles before but none like this one. Although, Chambord's exterior and interior was magnificent. I commend the architects of this magnificent building Heather Allen, 17, from Kansas wrote: Versailles is an outstandingly beautiful place. However, the Trianons were not built by Marie-Antionette. She built the hamlets. The Trianons were constructed by Louis XIV's mistress Mme. Pompadour. She suggested that there should be a building in the French gardens and there was one built directly after. Heather, from USA wrote: I think that Versailles is the best castle that I went to while I was in France. It is not only astounding in size, but also very beautiful. You could explore the Versailles castle for days and find something new each time. I love Petite Trianon and Grande Trianon, which located away from the actual castle. They were built by Marie Antoinette. There is a cute miniature village there, with houses and everything. Versailles is awesome and I would recommend it to anyone who will be in the area. Marc G, from Montreal wrote: Versailles is a magnificent palace.

The first day I went there, the palace was closed, so I spent the whole day outside in the gardens. The gardens alone can take several days of exploration. They're magnificent. The inside's also spectacular. You could leave a comment if you were logged in. Last modified:: 2015/08/18 13:06 Versailles Palace, Paris Versailles Palace The magnificent palace of Versailles is a testimony of the Sun King's extravaganza. The palace and its magnificent formal garden became the quintessential model for palaces in Europe. Brief History The town of Versailles sits about twenty kilometers outside of Paris. The first mention of the town and estate was in 1038, when the name appeared in a charter of the Abbey of Saint-Père de Chartres. By the end of the Versailles Palace eleventh century, Versailles was a country village enveloping a castle and the church of Saint-Julien, remaining prosperous until well into the thirteenth century. After the Hundred Years War, however, only a handful of people lived there.

Royal Presence In the sixteenth century, the Gondi family became the rulers of Versailles and the town began to gain acclaim when future King Louis XIII visited and became enamored with the site. He purchased land in the area and proceeded to build a small brick and stone lodge there in 1622. Statue of Louis XIV Ten years later, he became the lord of Versailles and began enlarging his lodge. Soon, he purchased more land as well as Gondi's estate. Louis XIII dies in 1643. The Sun King In 1662, the new king - Louis XIV - took an earnest interest in Versailles. Louis XIV, also known as The Sun King, distrusted the Parisians and wanted to move his Royal Residence away from the Louvre Palace , which was at the heart of constant political turbulence. The Sun King was largely responsible for the expansion that resulted in the building that still stands today. He hired architect Louis Le Vau along with artist Charles Le Brun to carry out the work on this Baroque masterpiece, which became the quintessential model for all palaces in Europe. Famed gardener André le Nôtre was responsible for the unequalled Versailles Garden.

Royal Chapel After Le Vau's death, Jules Hardouin- Mansart was commissioned to triple the size of the palace. Under his watchful eye, the northern and southern wings, the Orangerie, the Grand Trianon (a chateau) and the Royal Chapel were constructed. Later additions included the Opera and the Petit Trianon (a small chateau), which was built between the years 1761 - 1764 for Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour. The French Revolution During the French Revolution, the incredible collection of paintings, antiques, and other works of art that had been amassed at Versailles were transferred to the Louvre and other important items went to the National Library and Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. Most of the furniture, historians say, was sold at auction. A Palatial Museum Royal palace After the Revolution, Napoleon spent his summers at Versailles until he abdicated. Later, it was Louis-Phillipe who, in 1830, transformed the chateau into a grand museum, dedicated to "the glory of France." The Chapel, the Opera, and the Hall of Mirrors were preserved but many smaller apartments were destroyed to make room for spacious exhibition halls.

In the 1960s, however, curator Pierre Verlet was responsible for getting some of the furnishings back and restoring a number of the royal apartments. Today, visitors to Versailles can visit much of the interior of this spectacular palace, as well as its world-famous garden. Interior Notable rooms include: Hall of Mirrors The Hall of Mirrors - Some call this Louis XIV's most notable contribution to Versailles. The main feature of the hall is the seventeen mirrored arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows which look out onto Versailles equally- magnificent garden. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors, for a total of 357 in all. This magnificent hall measures 73 meters long, 10.5 meters wide, and 12.3 meters high (240x34x40ft). Statues and busts line the walls. The Hall of Mirrors has always played an important role in history including in 1919, as the First World War officially ended when Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles in this hall. Royal Chapel Chapel of Versailles - The current chapel of Versailles is the fifth at the palace.

Construction began in 1689 and was completed around 1710. It features a "tribune" on the same level as the royal apartments, overlooking the nave, where the kings would sit when they attended mass. The architecture is a combination of Gothic and Baroque. Many of its features resemble cathedrals of medieval times, including the gargoyles and pointed roof, but other features are more reminiscent of the era in which it was built, including colored marble tile floors, columns, and carved pillars. The Grand Apartment - Originally known as the Apartment of the Planets (the seven salons of this apartment each featured a painting of a planet), The Queen's bedroom this was King Louis XIV's apartment. While the entire apartment and all its salons are amazing, most notable are the ceilings, painted by Painter to the King, Charles Le Brun and his team of artists. Royal Opera - The auditorium of the Opera is fashioned entirely from wood, making it one of the most acoustically "live" theaters in the world. Though it was a court theater and not meant for a huge public audience, it seats more than 700.

Gold, pink, and green dominate the decor for the Opera, which wasn't constructed until 1770. It was first used for the wedding ball of future king Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and boasts a unique mechanical system that raises the floor to the level of the stage. Today, it is still used for concerts and operas. The Garden Geometric Garden At 100 hectare (about 250 acre), the garden of the Versailles Palace is Europe's largest palace garden. It was created in the seventeenth century by landscape gardener André Le Nôtre who designed what could be considered the quintessential formal French garden. The garden is laid out in a geometric pattern of paths, bushes, flowerbeds and trees. Le Nôtre also drained the swampy, sloping terrain and created a series of basins and a large canal, known as the Grand Canal. Latona Fountain Several fountains adorn the basins. The most famous are the Latona Fountain - with a statue of the goddess Latona - and the Apollo Fountain - named after the sun god and depicting the Sun King riding a chariot. There are several other fountains in the garden, such as the Neptune Fountain.

The fountains were installed to entertain the many guests invited to the lavish parties organized by King Louis XIV. Another noteworthy decoration in the garden is the Colonnade, a circular row of marble columns, designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Petit Trianon There are also a couple of smaller palaces in the garden: the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon. Some 10,000 people worked in the Versailles Palace, so privacy was minimal. Hence King Louis XIV ordered the construction of the Grand Trianon, a palace almost as luxurious as the main palace where the king could escape the formalities of the court and arrange rendezvous with his mistress. His successor, king Louis XV later built the smaller Petit Trianon for the same reason. Palace of Versailles | HowStuffWorks Palace of Versailles NEXT PAGENEXT The Palace of Versailles: The world's most opu­lent playground for royalty! A chateau larg­e enough­ to house 6,000 courtiers! A palace fit for a king!

And not just any king, but Louis XIV, the "Sun King," who reigned for 72 years and whose self-glorification knew no bounds. Starting in 1661, he transformed a humble hunting lodge into a glittering palace. He drained swamps and moved whole forests to create 250 acres of formal gardens, tree-lined paths, flowerbeds, lakes, and fountains. And this filled only a small portion of the grounds -- the entire estate covered 2,000 acres. Dreamstime.com At Versailles Louis XIV lulled his courtiers into docility by providing lavish entertainments and carefully dispensing royal favors. See more pictures of famous landmarks . Versailles served as France 's political capital and the focal point of the court from 1682 until 1789. It was Louis XIV's motive to remove himself (and his scheming nobles) from the political intrigues of Paris, so he created a place where the court could live under his watchful eye. The palace's size and opulence exhibited his supreme wealth and trumpeted his power as an absolute monarch.

Building Versailles required some 30,000 laborers and was so costly that it nearly wiped out the coffers of France. The main building contains grand halls and bedrooms that interior designer Charles LeBrun decorated with every ostentatious adornment imaginable. The Grands Appartements of the palace are lavish showplaces filled with murals, paintings, sculptures, velvet draperies, Savonnerie carpets, gilded bronze, and tinted marble. These salons are dedicated to Greek deities such as Hercules and Mercury. Louis XIV chose the Salon of Apollo, the sun god, to serve as the throne room for the Sun King. Up Next Discovery.com: French Architecture Most spectacular of all is the Hall of Mirrors, a 235-foot-long drawing and ballroom­ lined along one side with 17 huge mirrors -- fixtures that were staggeringl­y expensive at that time in history. In the glass, the courtiers could admire their own fabulously costumed selves as they danced. The mirrors were also designed to reflect the ceiling frescoes, which illustrate and pay tribut­e to the early years of Louis XIV's reign.

On the other side of the room, a row of windows opened onto vast gardens and the sunset. iStockphoto Many wars have been settled through peace talks and treaties negotiated at Versailles. The Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I was signed in the Hall of Mirrors in 1919. In the white-and-gold baroque Chapel Royal, Louis XVI wed Marie Antoinette in 1770, when both were teenagers. Among further palace additions were a paneled library, the Clock Room (where Mozart performed at age seven), and the Opera, a huge oval theater illuminated by 10,000 candles. Creating the gardens at Versailles required legions of workers and the genius of landscape designer André Le Nôtre, who laid out everything in the most formal French style. The central axis of Versailles's gardens is the mile-long Grand Canal, which is situated to reflect the setting sun. Around it spread geometric expanses of plantings, flowerbeds, paths, ponds, and lakes.

Not to mention fountains -- some 1,400 of them at one time, including a spectacular fountain in which a horse-drawn chariot carries a triumphant Apollo -- yet another reference to the glory of the Sun King. To relieve the formal design, eccentric buildings called follies are scattered here and there -- as well as a grove where the courtiers danced in summertime amid rock gardens, shells, and decorative lamps. Marble and bronze statues are arrayed along paths and tucked into the foliage. In the Orangery, 3,000 trees once thrived through the winter cold. Two smaller palaces stand on the far side of the gardens. Louis XIV built the pink marble Grand Trianon as a place to escape the relentless etiquette of court life. (In the main palace, for example, the king usually dined alone at a table in view of hundreds of onlookers. On other occasions, diners were seated in his presence in strict protocol by rank. Simply cooking for the palace's constant banquets required a kitchen staff of 2,000 people.) The Petit Trianon was a love nest built by Louis XV, who trysted there with Madame du Barry.

Later this neoclassical mini-palace found favor with Marie Antoinette, who also wanted to get away from the stiff formality she found at the main palace. Nearby was the most charming hideaway of all -- the Queen's Hamlet, a sort of play village and farm built for Marie Antoinette's amusement. Among the thatched cottages, a watermill, and a lake, she and her court acted out a fantasy of peasant life. It is ironic, perhaps, that this same queen's lavish spending and frivolity eventually led to her royal downfall in 1789. That was when the French Revolution 's mobs marched on Versailles and carried Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI away to Paris. Ultimately, in 1793, they were led to the guillotine. Here are links to dozens of other world-famous landmarks: Palace of Versailles History Phone: 1-866-996-9727 | Palace of Versailles History ( En Français ) - Versailles was the royal residence of France for little more than a century (from 1682 until 1789) when the French Revolution began.

Louis XIII built a hunting lodge at the village of Versailles outside of Paris in 1624. The small structure became the base on which was constructed one of the most costly and extravagant buildings in the world. It became the palace of Louis XIV, the "Sun King", who boasted of himself, "L'Etat c'est moi" or "I am the state." Louis XV and Louis XVI also called Versailles home. (picture: The court at Versailles) The men in charge of the project were Louis Le Vau, architect; Charles Le Brun, painter and decorator; and Andre Le Notre, landscape architect. About 37,000 acres of land were cleared to make room for tree-lined terraces, walkways, and thousands of flowering plants. There were 1,400 fountains and 400 pieces of sculpture. In 1676 another architect, Jules Hardouin-Mansart, was put in charge of redesigning and enlarging the palace. Starting with Le Vau's plans, Hardouin-Mansart added a second story and built the magnificent Hall of Mirrors and the north and south wings.

There was much activity at Versailles between the years 1678 and 1684. Mansart directed a building campaign which included the transformation of the marble court, the construction of the Ministers' Wings, the Southern wing and the Hall of Mirrors which was decorated with an exquisite set of silver furnishings. The construction of the Palace of Versailles was finally completed near the end of Louis XIV's life. The chapel was built last and was finished after Mansart's death in 1708 by his son-in-law Robert de Cotte. Louis XV moved the court back to Versailles (from Paris) in June of 1722, and attained his majority as King the following year. He married the daughter of the exiled King of Poland, Marie Leczinska, and after the birth of three daughters, Marie finally gave birth to the Dauphin, or Crown Prince, in 1729 at the Palace of Versailles. Anges-Jacques Gabriel, whose father had been the King's First Architect, became the Official Architect for Louis XV in 1742. Gabriel supervised new additions of the Palace, including the Salon of Hercules, the Opera House and the Petit Trianon.

In 1755 he redecorated the King's Council Chamber. Gabriel's designs signaled the break from heavy ornamented Rococo decoration to the lighter Neoclassical style, with pilasters, columns and the use of symmetry throughout. (picture: Versailles from the garden.) Construction of the palace went on through the next century. More than 36,000 workers were involved in the project, and when the building was completed it could accommodate up to 5,000 people, including servants. About 14,000 soldiers and servants were quartered in annexes and in the nearby town. During the Seven Year's War France lost most of its overseas treasure and assets to Great Britain. The resulting economic damage almost destroyed the monarchy. Much of the damage was repaired by the 1760's by the policies of Finance Minister duc de Choiseul. However, Louis XV left his successor, his grandson Louis XVI, a debt of 4000 million livres when he died in 1774. The roots of the French Revolution can be traced back directly yo this "gift".

Despite the kingdom's shaky finances, Louis XVI immediately had the gardens replanted at Versailles upon his succession and had a new library built in his private apartments by Anges-Jacques Gabriel. His wife, Marie Antoinette constantly had her private apartments changed and rearranged at Versailles. She also made use of the workshop of the Menus Plaisirs, the shops at Versailles that created special interiors, sets, and even funeral monuments. They were constantly creating new portable party pavilions that the young Queen could use to entertain her group of friends. In 1788 the French government went bankrupt. Louis XVI was forced to call a meeting of the Estates-General, a representative body of the government that had not met in 175 years. They met in the town of Versailles at the Jeu de Paume, a forerunner to a modern tennis court, which became the backdrop for the French Revolution. On the morning of October 6, 1789 a mob of angry Parisians, mostly women, marched to the Palace demanding bread. They stormed the Palace, ran up the Queen's Staircase and broke into the Guard's Room, then into the antechamber.

Marie Antoinette ran from her bedchamber into her private apartments towards the King's Suite to find her husband and son. In an effort to quell public discontent the King moved his court to Paris. Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI's chambers remain as they were in the fall of 1789. (picture: Marie Antoinette's bedroom as it stands today.) After the fall of the monarchy, the Palace of Versailles was put into the hands of the new government. In 1792 portions of the Royal furniture was sold and dispersed and many works of art from the Palace were taken to the Louvre in Paris. Napoleon Bonaparte later took an interest in the Palace and commissioned restoration work, which was later continued by the reinstated monarchy in 1814 by Louis XVI's brother, Louis XVIII. In the 1830's Louis-Phillippe decided to make the Palace into a museum of French history, which was inaugurated in 1837.

The Palace continued to place an important role in European history: in 1871 the Hall of Mirrors was the setting for the Proclamation of the German Empire and in 1919 the Hall was the site were the Treaty of Versailles was signed which ended World War I. In 1962, a decree was issued ordering all of the objects belonging to the Palace and preserved in French Collections throughout France to be brought back to Versailles. The restoration of the Palace is still ongoing today. In 1986 the apartments on the ground floor, once occupied by the Dauphin and Dauphine, or prince and princess, were opened to the public. Funded by two French government grants, more than 80 rooms were involved in the largest single restoration in Versailles history. Parts of the palace that had been damaged or rebuilt after the French Revolution were restored to their original design. Some of the original furniture was recovered, paintings were returned, and wall coverings were replaced. Today, the Palace of Versailles is one of France's many national monuments. The building is so large that only a small portion of it is open to the public. Many of the rooms are government offices.

Visitors may tour the sections of the north and south wings closest to the center as well as the central section itself. Versailles Palace Versailles Palace To prepare your Versailles Palace visit, consult our information mentionned below. History of Versailles Palace Before visiting Versailles Palace discover why and how it was built : King Louis XIII After having purchased the seigniory of Versailles (the present day Vieux-Versailles district), Louis XIII became the owner of the neighboring hunting ground, a game preserve on a butte surrounding several windmills. He had a hunting lodge built there in 1624, and expanded it shortly thereafter. However, it was labeled a "castle of cards" by his contemporaries, due to its unpretentiousness. The king died young and Versailles was soon forgotten again. Louis XIV the Sun King It was not until the 1660's that the young Louis XIV began to grace Versailles with his presence, and to start building and holding parties there.

The first building project, headed by the architect Louis Le Vau, led to the construction of the commons on the city side (the present day "old wing" and its former facing building, since replaced by the Gabriel wing) and to the start of André Le Nôtre's laying out of the gardens. After which, the famous "envelope" surrounding the old castle got underway, completely modifying the garden side part of the castle, to give it what was then a fashionable Italianate look. New buildings were built for the commons (the current ministers' wings), linking the prior ones to the palace and refurbishing them to suit the king's needs. But the most significant work started by the Sun King was undertaken in 1678, once he decided to make Versailles the seat of his government. Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the king's lead architect, then oversaw construction of the sparkling hall of mirrors, with the decoration headed by Charles Le Brun.

With the building of the south and north wings, the palace, designed to house the princes and courtesans, took on its definitive appearance at that time, while the "outside" was rising from the earth: royal stables around the parade ground, Grand Commun for services "of the Mouth," sumptuous Orangerie ... The court moved in on May 6, 1682, before the work was finished. The present day palace chapel was not built and decorated until 1699 to 1710, and was used more by Louis XV and Louis XVI than by the one who commissioned it. The XVIII ° century : Louis XV, Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette Subsequently, the work undertaken under Louis XV and headed by Jacques-Ange Gabriel focused mainly on interior decoration, and led to the creation not only of the refined decor of the private apartments, but also the Hercules Salon, particularly the admirable Opera. In that period, the king also had the Petit Trianon built, not far from the Grand Trianon, for the respite the Sun King required from the pomp of court life.

Louis XV had the same desire, plus a passionate interest in the sciences, leading to a renowned botanical garden, later replaced by Marie-Antoinette's English garden. This queen, who was, herself, passionate over this enchanting domain, had a delightful theater built a little later and a Norman village set up, thenceforth referred to as the Queen's Hamlet (architect: Richard Mique). The kingdom's finances were in poor shape, and King Louis XVI himself limited the work to the palace, which underwent few changes during his reign. French Revolution The French Revolution might have significantly damaged the emblem of absolute monarchy Versailles had become. But the presence of a large staff, plus assignment of the palace to the department's Ecole Centrale, meant that the worst was avoided. The park was turned into farmland, the courtyards unpaved, the insignia of the monarchy felled, and the furnishings dispersed. Napoleon 1st and Louis XVIII Napoleon 1st, for his part, was only interested in the Trianons: He refurnished the larger one and made it his spring house after his split with Joséphine (1809).

Its refined layout, only slightly changed later on, on the occasion of the stays of Louis-Philippe and his family, can still be visited. The Petit Trianon was dedicated by the emperor to his sister Pauline Borghesi. But it was later refurbished, thanks to the Empress Eugenia, who devoted part of her activities to clearing the name of the unfortunate Marie-Antoinette. To restore the symmetry of the palace's facade on the town side, broken with the addition of the Gabriel wing under Louis XV, the Dufour pavilion was added to the palace, uninhabited after the Revolution, once Louis XVIII took the throne. Museum of the History of France and modern History But it was Louis-Philippe, in particular, who set the palace on a new path by transforming it into the Museum of the History of France, opened in 1837 (architect: Frédéric Nepveu). Many of the Eighteenth Century interiors disappeared at the time, and in their place large numbers of paintings and sculptures were installed, illustrating the major periods of national history, from the Middle Ages to the most recent times.

Some of these installations remain, such as the renowned gallery of battles, the halls of the crusades and the galleries of stone. The museum’s layout was momentarily disrupted at the end of the Nineteenth Century when Versailles once again became the seat of government, and the offices of the ministries and the Chambers occupied the palace. At this time the Salle du Congrès was built in the Midi wing, where presidential elections were held until 1953. This is where the National Assembly and the Senate continue to meet for changes to the French Constitution. In the contemporary period, the palace was also the theater of another major event : the signature, in the Hall of mirrors of the Versailles treaty which ended the First world war, on June 28th, 1919. Since these events, the palace has once again become a full-fledged museum, whose areas, including the gardens, have gradually been done over to receive the public, with some 4 million visitors per year.

Tickets, rates and subscriptions: DAY PASS To explore Versailles in full detail, a practical option is to purchase a single ticket for admission to tours of the palace, the park and Marie-Antoinette's Estate, an audioguide (just for the Palace) in 11 languages and admission to the Grand Musical Fountain display on Saturday, Sunday and certain public holidays. - 18€ - 25€ on the days of the Grand Musical Fountain display or musical gardens in high season on week-end, public holidays and on tuesdays. (See the complete program on ) - Free to people under 26 (from the European Union), to anyone under 18, and to those in specific situations ( click here to see the list).

Admission for the following tours (special closings excepted): ▪ King's Apparments , Hall of Mirrors, king 's room (the Queen's appartment are closed for renovation) ▪ Chapel and Seventeenth Century Galleries ▪ Galleries of the History of France ▪ The Dauphin (The Prince) and Dauphine's Suites (closed) ▪ Grand Trianon TICKET TO PALACE - €15 (Audioguide included in 10 languages) - Free to people under 26 (from the European Union), to anyone under 18, and to people in specific situations (Click here to see the list). Admission to the following tours (except specific closings): ▪ King's and Queen's Suite, Hall of Mirrors, king's room ▪ Chapel and Seventeenth Century Galleries ▪ Galleries of the History of France ▪ Dauphin (The Prince) and Dauphine's Suites ▪ Suites of My Ladies, the daughters of Louis XV, weekends. TICKET TO MARIE-ANTOINETTE'S ESTATE -10€.

- Free (without audioguide and Grand Musical Fountain dislay): to people under 26 (from the European Union), to anyone under 18, and to people in specific situations (Click here to see the list). During High Season admission to the following tours (special closings excepted): ▪ Grand Trianon GARDENS (Where the fountains are) Free admission except on days of Grand Musical Fountain display (€9) and Musical Gardens (€8). PARC Free admission for pedestrians and bikers. €5/Car, 6€ on weekends and public holidays from march 1 to october 31. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION The season ticket « one year in Versailles » gives: - a free and limitless access to all the areas opened to the public (Palace, Grand and Petit Trianons, Marie-Antoinette's estate) -a free and limitless access to temporary exhibitions (including audioguide), to the musical Gardens and Grand Musical Fountain display.

- a rate reduces on visits conferences / themes / families visits - a cultural information exclusively reserved for the possessors of this card (previews, invitations, newsletters...) - possibility for close relations to buy tickets so as to reception case subscription- trade benefits to partners Rate: 50 € Palace: The palace is open daily, except Mondays, certain holidays and when there are official ceremonies. High Season from April 1st to October 31, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., no admission after: 6:00 p.m. Low Season from November 1st to March 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., no admission after 5:00 p.m. Marie-Antoinette's Estate: During high season: Marie-Antoinette's Estate is open from 12:00 noon to 6:30 p.m. (access to interior areas until 5:45 p.m.) from Tuesday to Sunday except for certain holidays or official ceremonies. During low season: Marie-Antoinette's Estate is open from 12:00 noon to 5:30 p.m.

(no admission after 5:00 p.m.) from Tuesday to Sunday except for certain holidays or official ceremonies. The Garden (Petit Parc) and the Grand Parc: The gardens and the Grand Parc are open every day, except for inclement weather or official ceremonies. High season : 9:00 a.m to 8:30 p.m Low season : 9:00 a.m to 6:30 p.m Vehicular traffic authorized in certain areas (please inquire); 5€ entrance fee per car (6€ on weekends and public holidays) and 30€ per bus. Entrance from the boulevard de la Reine or the Saint-Antoine gate. The park is open to cars from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in high season and from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in low season. Practical information Attack Alert Following the terror attacks in Paris on Friday, November 13, 2015 and to ensure the safety of our visitors, the Palace of Versailles is strictly applying the security measures decided by the French authorities. The Palace is open.

It is strongly recommended not to bring suitcases and luggage to the museum. Only luggage not exceeding 55cmx35cmx20cm will be accepted. Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience and delay which may be caused by the extra security checks at the entrances. Best days to come: ■ Try to avoid long waiting lines: come on Wednesdays, Thursdays (except school holidays). On-site transportation ■ A little train provides shuttle service between the Palace and the Trianon: handy for going to Marie-Antoinette's Estate and to the Grand Trianon (surcharge on all tickets). ■ To get around independently, electric vehicles leaving from the south Terrace are available for hire. ■ Segways and electric bicycles can be hired in the Palace Park beside the Grand Canal. - Plain bicycles can be hired at the park entrance on the boulevard de la Reine side and beside the Grand Canal. - You can rent boats on the Grand Canal except in winter. Link to Leisure section (fun activities) Please note: ■ Baby pushchairs and metal frame baby carriers are not allowed in the rooms. Use a fabric baby carrier for children under one.

■ Animals are not allowed in the palace, but dogs on leashes are allowed in the parc. ■ In the rooms: turn off laptops; no flash photography. ■ No coat room but free checkroom for unauthorized objects (food, baggage, large umbrellas, tripods). ■ Picnicking in bad weather: tents are available near the North flower bed. Contact : FOR INDIVIDUALS: Lecture tours: By national museum lecturers (French or English). Options: private apartments of Louis XV and Louis XVI; Splendors of Versailles; private apartments of Marie-Antoinette… Daily guided tours : Sign up on the same day at the entrance of lecture visits. Various themes are not provided every day. Theme tours: For adults (from September to June). Various theme tours on Court life, furnishings, interior design, music, etc. are available on weekdays and week-ends. (Please inquire at the palace). For children: Activities led by national museum lecturers are held on Wednesday afternoons and during school holidays from October to April. (Please inquire at the palace).

Information : +33(0)1 30 83 78 00 or on FOR GROUPS: Guided tours by national museum lecturers, 25 people maximum. Tours for adults: upon request, admission to all sections of the palace open to the public (subject to availability of lecturers). Tours for young people: you may reserve a guided or studio tour year round. (Please inquire at the palace). Tours for disabled individuals: lecturers provide special tours for people with reduced mobility or visual, auditory or mental impairment. Self-guided group tours: King's and Queen's Suites (Hall of Mirrors, King's Chamber, Council Chamber). The right to speak out loud in the museum's halls, subject to mandatory advance reservation (see rates below), is governed by law. Only the following are authorized to do so: instructors to their students, professional lecturers and docents, and curators. Handling charge rates: Up to 10 people: 25€20 (without palace tickets and without lecture fee). From 11 to 30 people: 50€30 (without palace tickets and without lecture fee).

School age and under 26: 25€ handling charge in high season and free in low season (without lecture fee). Additional fees for lateness: +50% on applicable fee. The Versailles Tourist Office offers lecturers approved by the Ministry of Culture. Information at +33(0)1 30 97 89 82</o:p> Tel: +33(0)1 30 83 75 05 Fax: +33(0)1 30 83 77 90 Email: handicap@chateauversailles.fr Palace of Versailles spectacles Faithful to its history, Versailles invites performers to recreate the spirit of the Grand Siècle (Great Century) shows. Musical Fountains show - promenade in the heart of the groves and fountains with baroque music. From March 25th to October 30th, 2016, Saturdays, Sundays and some Tuesdays) Click here to see complete program.

Musical Gardens - musical stroll in the garden groves (fountains are off) Tuesdays from March 29th to May 17th and July 5th to October 29th, 2016. Click here to see complete program. The Grandes Eaux Nocturnes and The royal serenades in the Hall of Mirrors, (every Saturday evenings from June 18th to September 17th 2016) To relive the flamboyant times of the reign of Louis XIV, visit the King's apartments to the sound of a serenade right before the Grandes Eaux Nocturnes. Come watch a Grand Siècle ball, with an ensemble of baroque musicians and dancing couples. Then take a magical stroll through the gardens with lights and music, closing with a fireworks display . Click here to see complete program. A remarkable series of classical concerts and operas is being offered in emblematic locations such as the Royal Chapel, the Gallery of Battles, the Hall of Mirrors, and at the Royal Opera during the year.

Full Address Grille du Dragon-Pavillon des Roulettes 78000 Versailles Tel: +33(0)1 30 83 78 89 Fax: +33(0)1 30 83 78 90 Group reservations: + 33(0)1 30 83 74 44

Question: For which king was the Palace at Versailles built?
Answer: Louis XIV