The residence of the king, built in the suburbs of Paris, has survived to this day as a symbol of luxury and wealth. Thousands of tourists come here every year to enjoy the splendor of the building and the grounds at the palace. The castle was also of great strategic importance - it demonstrated the greatness of the French kings. The palace is invaluable for the French nation: it was one of the first to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. If you, while traveling in France, did not visit Versailles, then you did not recognize the country at all, because in order to get to know the country, you should familiarize yourself with how its rulers lived.
Palace construction
The history of the Palace of Versailles began with the construction of a stone and brick hunting castle by the order of King Louis XIII in 1623. Today the Marble House is located on the site of the Hunting Castle. In 1632 the land was expanded and the reconstruction of the castle began.
In 1661, King Louis XIV made the castle his summer residence, gradually expanding it. After the death of the king, his successor returned to Paris, but the reconstruction continued. By order of Louis XV, the following were equipped:
- King's apartment, later converted into Madame Dubary's chambers
- Dauphin's chambers
- King's chambers on the third floor
- Opera Hall
- Trianon Palace.
Under King Louis XV, the renovation of the facades began, which was completed only in the 20th century.
The Versailles Garden is one of the most popular landscaped areas in the world. It has a special design: it consists of different terraces, which become lower with distance from the palace. In the park there are flower beds, fountains, lawns, sculptures, greenhouses and pools.
What to look for?
When visiting the Palace of Versailles, don't miss:
- Chateau and the Mirror Hall inside
- Museum of the History of the Palace of Versailles
- A battle hall that tells the story of key battles in French history
- Royal Opera
- The Grand Trianon is a palace located on the territory of the Versailles complex. Its purpose is the residence of the king and his family members in seclusion, outside the protocol and rules of etiquette
- Little Trianon, the inhabitants of which were the favorites of the kings
- Marie Antoinette's farm, where you can get to know the peasant way of life
- Versailles park
- Musical fountains.
Interesting Facts
- In 2016, the documentary "Secrets of Versailles" was made about Versailles
- The Versailles Palace became a standard: they tried to copy it during the construction of palaces in Gatchina, Potsdam, Peterhof, Vienna, etc.
- Philip V - King of Spain was born in the palace
- In the Petit Trianon, the favorites of King Louis XV lived: Madame Pompadour, Madame Dubarry and Marie Antoinette
- Never in the entire history of the Little Trianon has a man lived there.
- The most recognizable sights of the gardens of Versailles are the Latona Fountain and the Grand Canal.
The object belongs to palaces.
