While European history is impressive because of castles and princesses, it is also great to think about the French kings. The buildings built by the kings, and the fantastic stories surrounding their deaths, and the number of countries they brought together through the beautiful museum in Versailles cannot go unmentioned.
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The Palace of Versailles or Château de Versailles, located in Versailles in the Ile-de-France region of France, is a royal chateau that is an embodiment of rich history. It was once a hunting lodge for Louis XIII and later became the home of Louis XIV. When he inherited this fabulous mansion, he quickly remodeled it into a grand palace that is still extremely impressive today.
The History of Versailles
The history of the Palace of Versailles goes back to the seventeenth century when Louis XIII bought a hunting lodge on a woodland estate because he loved hunting. The Palace of Versailles was started in 1661 by Louis XIV’s father, King Louis XIII. It was initially intended as a hunting lodge for Louis XIII.
However, it wasn’t until his son became king that construction began on a grand scale. In 1662, Louis XIV’s mother died, and the king moved from the Louvre Palace to Versailles with his father. King Louis XIV began building a large palace for himself at Versailles in 1678. He continued working on it until he died in 1715.
From 1661 to 1715, Louis XIV expanded the château into a palace. Versailles became the seat of government for both kings, and in 1682, Louis XIV moved the court there. From 1682 until his death, Versailles was the royal residence, and Louis XIV made it the capital of France.
Versailles Expansion
King Louis XIV started to add on parts of the Palace. In 1682, a part of the eastern wing of the old castle burnt down. In 1684, Jules Hardouin-Mansart began the construction of a new building, which would have served as a stable for the Versailles household. However, Louis XIV’s plans were grandiose. He wished to extend the Palace so that it would cover all the land between the former suburb of La Muette and the town center of Versailles.
In 1689, Mansart began a new building known as the Royal Chapel. It was completed in 1710. It has three levels and is covered with white marble. The chapel contains paintings by Charles Le Brun and sculptures by Pierre Puget and Francois Girardon.
In 1695, King Louis XIV ordered his finance minister to build a new section called Marly for his country house Marly-le-Roi. This area contained three large galleries that were decorated with paintings by Antoine Coypel.
Over time, the Palace grew to more than 1,000 rooms. Some of the most famous rooms include the Hall of Mirrors, which Louis XIV added, and the King’s Bedchamber, also known as the Apartment of Peace.
Versailles’ expansion continued right up until Louis XIV died in 1715. After his death, Versailles was largely abandoned. It fell into decay before being occupied by French revolutionaries who used it as a prison.
The Palace of Versailles Appearance
As you enter Versailles, you will first see the gatehouse and then move into the courtyard. The gatehouse was built in 1710, and it has a clock tower that is topped with a statue of Louis XIV.
Buildings surround the courtyard, and it is used for many different events during the year, like concerts and art shows. The courtyard also features a fountain called Hercules, which Blondel designed in 1674.
There are three buildings located in this courtyard: the Orangerie, the Royal Chapel, and Marble Court. The Orangerie is used as a museum and gallery; it also has two restaurants inside. The Royal chapel was built in 1686, but it was rebuilt after a fire nearly destroyed it in 1738. Marble Court was built between 1684 and 1687, and it features statues from different Italian sculptors.
You will see the Grand Canal outside of these buildings, which stretches from one side of Versailles to another. Designed by André Le Nôtre, the canal was originally two hundred forty rain gutters cut from copper sheeting and formed into a series of winding streams.
Touring Versailles Castle takes around three hours. You can tour either on your own or with a guided tour. The guided tours are only given in French, which for most people is less than ideal. But there are some areas where you can get away with using English.
The Palace of Versailles is open to the public, and you can go inside to see all its beautiful rooms and stunningly beautiful gardens. Many people wonder what it’s like inside, so here is a list of things you can find inside.
A Tour Through Royal France’s Palace of Versailles
These are the main attractions in the Palace of Versailles:
- The Mall of Mirrors
The Hall of Mirrors, part of the Palace of Versailles in France, is the main gallery of the Palace. The main feature of this hall is the 17 mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen windows that look out onto the gardens. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors with a total complement of 357 used in the decoration of the Galerie.
The most striking feature of this room is the fact that it has 17 arched windows and mirrors facing out onto an equally large room through 17 windows and mirrors. The two rooms together form a perfect and symmetrical reflection of each other, meaning that no matter where you stand, you can always see yourself reflected back at you from somewhere in the room.
The Hall of Mirrors is incredibly large at around 450 square meters. Built between 1678 and 1686, this stunning hall is famous because of its huge mirrors. The hall is decorated with white marble, and the patterns on the walls were designed by Le Brun, an artist from that time.
The walls are covered with mirrors which helped illuminate the room, making it brighter and larger than it really was. There are various paintings of kings and queens through the years on the walls, too. In addition to being one of the biggest rooms in the Palace, it also holds a lot of history as it was from here that Louis XIV made his Declaration of War against Spain.
- Royal Apartments
The Royal Apartments of Versailles, located in the Palace of Versailles, were the official residence of the King of France. Built in 1682, during the reign of Louis XIV, they comprised a suite of rooms on the ground floor of the Palace. They serve as an example of the lavish and extravagant lifestyle of the Sun King.
King Louis XIV had several rooms built for him, including a bedroom, a bathroom, and a room where he could listen to music which he enjoyed. There is also a secret passage that leads from his bedroom straight out onto the palace gardens. He was king and a musician, so he enjoyed playing music but didn’t want anyone else to hear him play.
- The Royal Opera House
The Opera House is an opera house and concert hall in Versailles, France. It was built as a part of the Palace of Versailles. Ange-Jacques Gabriel designed it for Louis XV, who used it for his privy concerts. The opera house was constructed in 1770 and is one of the most magnificent and spectacular rooms for entertainment and music that has ever been built in Europe. It seats about 1,000 people and contains some priceless paintings.
You can walk around it and admire the magnificence of the opera house from afar. Still, to really get a feel for the grace and elegance of this building, you have to go inside. Once you enter, you will realize that this is not just an opera house, but a palace as well.
The walls are adorned with beautiful paintings and sculptures, while the ceilings are painted with angels and clouds. In fact, if you look closely enough, you can find hidden symbols in the paintings that tell the story of Apollo, the god of music and harmony.
Reasons Why You Should Visit Versailles
Versailles is one of the most famous and popular travel destinations in the world, second only to France’s famous city Paris. So, why should you go to Versailles? There are lots of reasons. The architecture of Versailles demonstrates the king’s tastes and interests.
The time period during which Versailles was built is known as the Golden Age in France, and it lasted from around 1660 to 1715. It was a time characterized by peace and prosperity. The arts flourished, and so did French culture and economy during this period. This is why Versailles is such an important place in France’s history.
France is a country of rich culture, art, and history. It was once called the cradle of human rights in Europe because it is the place where the French Revolution took place in 1789. The revolution in France changed everything in Europe because it was the beginning of government based on ethics and moral values.
When you visit Versailles, you will get to see how people lived several hundred years ago when King Louis XIV ruled France. The Palace has a lot of valuable paintings and crystal chandeliers that show how rich and powerful King Louis XIV was back then. Furthermore, Versailles still attracts a lot of tourists who want to see this historical landmark. Even if you don’t care about history or art, going to Versailles Palace will give you a great view of the gardens and deer park from above.
Versailles represents power and authority. After Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles in 1682, political power in France was centered there until the royal family’s return to Paris following the June Rebellion in 1789. Thus, while Versailles is famous as a building, it is more famous as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy that once existed in France.
Things To Do in the Palace of Versailles
Here are some things that might help make your visit to the Palace of Versailles more memorable:
- Picnic on the Lawn
The Palace is made up of eight independent pavilions that are connected by courtyards, passageways, and staircases. It’s also surrounded by 1,828 acres of ornamental gardens created by André Le Nôtre between 1661-1683. These gardens are so picturesque that they have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Many experts say that Versailles is more than just a building; it’s an entire city on its own. Unlike other palaces, there are no walls to separate it from nature. It is filled with fountains, parks, and large gardens. You can spend a hot summer day lying out in the cool grass and taking in the splendor and majesty of the Palace of Versailles.
- Explore the Trianon Places
The Petit Trianon was designed as a retreat for Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI’s private use. It is located in the park at the southwest corner of the Palace and was built between 1762 and 1768. The façade looks out onto a small ornamental lake that separates it from the Parterre d’Eau, also known as the water parterre.
On the other hand, the Grand Trianon is located on the edge of the forest of Versailles. It offers a stunning view over the southeast section of the gardens, with a full view of the south facade of the Palace of Versailles.
- Enjoy an Opera at Versailles Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House at the Palace of Versailles is a world-famous and exceptional venue for opera and concert performances. The Palace is one of the most magnificent and historic buildings in France, with a rich history that spans over 300 years. The performances are held in an ornate theatre that was originally built as part of Louis XIV’s stables in the early 18th century.
The operas performed range from those created by famous composers such as Mozart and Verdi to those written by contemporary artists such as Philippe Boesmans and Peter Eotvos. The venue has an excellent reputation for its acoustics and outstanding performances that have been held there for years.
- Visit Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet
The hamlet was built in 1783 by Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. It was designed by the Queen’s brother, the Count of Provence. The hamlet was never intended to be a permanent residence. It was just a charming little playhouse that Louis and Marie Antoinette used to entertain themselves and their friends.
Marie Antoinette liked it so much that she began adding furniture and decor. She brought her own special touch:
- Porcelain figurines
- Paintings by her favorite artists
- Items commissioned especially for her by Parisian artisans
The hamlet became a source of great joy to the Queen during her last years when she wasn’t able to leave the palace grounds due to increasing political tensions.
- Walkthrough the Halls of Mirrors
As you walk around this amazing place, you’ll be surrounded by mirrors that reflect the light from windows and from other mirrors, creating a mesmerizing effect. The mirrors are what make this room so magical. If you stand at one end and look toward the other end, you’ll see a reflection of yourself stretching out as far as you can see. The mirrors repeat themselves endlessly and create an illusion that makes you feel like you’re walking on either end of an endless hallway.
Tips When Visiting Versailles
The following tips will help make your visit to the Palace of Versailles more convenient and enjoyable:
- Go early to explore the Palace and its gardens before it gets too crowded.
The estate opens to visitors at 9 am. Still, you can enter as early as 8 am to tour the Palace and grounds before the tourist season begins. The best way to see the Palace is on foot, but there are also pay wagons that will drive you around to different parts of the estate if you prefer to stay inside your vehicle for this part of your visit.
- Wearing comfortable shoes is essential since you will be walking for approximately 3 hours.
You’ll be doing a lot of walking on cobblestone paths. This Palace is as much about the park as the Palace itself. So, feel free to walk around and enjoy the wonderful French nature, ponds, and fountains.
- Buy your tickets online – they sell out quickly, and it’s cheaper than at the door.
You can also buy tickets for other museums in Versailles as well as the Trianon Palaces. If you buy them online, make sure you print them out or have them ready on your phone.
- Versailles is a big tourist attraction, and it can get very busy on weekends and national holidays.
If possible, plan your trip on a weekday during the low season. Weekends and national holidays tend to be busier than weekdays, so if possible, avoid them if you want a more relaxed experience at Versailles. Holidays that fall within school holidays are likely to be particularly busy.
Final Words
The Palace of Versailles is undoubtedly one of the most important castles in the world, and it’s still home to the French monarchy today. The architecture is beautiful and jaw-dropping, but throughout its construction history, the building has also played host to some historically significant events, including the signing of peace treaties and many other high-profile state visits.
Though Versailles is more than just a museum these days, it is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in France. Anyone interested should undoubtedly take a trip to appreciate this beautiful castle first-hand.
