Until the end of the 16th century, Versailles was a small village near Paris. Louis the Thirteenth first built a hunting lodge there, then a small castle, and in 1632 he bought the entire village. His son, Louis XIV, the Sun King, built a huge palace complex at Versailles and turned it into the main residence of the French monarchs.
The history of the emergence of Versailles as one of the symbols of France
In 1682, the royal court moved to Versailles, which became not only the de facto capital of France, but also a symbol of absolutism. From that moment on, all European rulers, wanting to emphasize their greatness, built palaces in the “Versailles” manner.
Louis XIV had reasons to strive away from Paris. The capital looked too provincial for the powerful European power that France became during these years. In addition, the king could not forgive the Parisians of the Fronde, he did not trust them and wanted to protect himself from the rioting crowd in the future.
The arrangement of Versailles began back in 1661, lasted for decades and required enormous expenses, practically ruining the country.
Description of Versailles - severity in everything
The complex was planned around three roads leading to Paris and the royal estates of Saint-Cloud and Sceaux. At the point of their connection, in front of the main entrance to the Grand Palace of Versailles, there is an equestrian statue of Louis XIV.
Parks of Versailles - geometric strictness of lines and proportions
On the other side of the palace, as if continuing the middle road, stretches the main alley with swimming pools and the Grand Canal (1520 m). It clearly divides the huge park into two symmetrical halves.
Geometric rigor of lines and proportions - distinguishing feature Versailles ensemble. It reflected the passion of French architects for utopian architecture, which originated from the fantastic “ideal cities” of the Renaissance.
It seems that the park is drawn according to a line, but at the same time it does not look boring or monotonous. It is enlivened by flower beds, sculptural groups, cascades, grottoes and especially fountains, the construction of which was the pinnacle of engineering of its time. Particularly impressive to visitors is the Apollo Fountain (sculptor Tyubi), depicting the chariot of the ancient god.
Luxurious halls of the Palace of Versailles
Inside, the Grand Palace consists of a suite of luxuriously decorated halls filled with exquisite furniture, jewelry, and works of art. Separately, it is worth noting the 73 m long Mirror Gallery. Its 17 mirror panels reflect the light of 17 huge windows facing the park. This sparkling hall hosted ceremonies, balls, receptions and royal weddings.
It is also necessary to visit the Royal Chapel, the Salon of Venice, the Salon of Apollo, the Royal Opera, and the Grand and Petit Trianon palaces.
The architect Andre Le Nôtre created a completely new type of park landscape at Versailles, called the French regular (i.e. regular) garden. Such a garden, embodying the ideals of harmony, grandeur and unchanging order, became a model for the famous imperial ensembles of Peterhof and Sans Souci (Potsdam).
Like Versailles, these parks have one characteristic feature: from certain points in them one can observe a “clear linear perspective” of a properly organized space.
Gardens and parks of Versailles
The gardens and parks of Versailles, with a total area of 101 hectares, served as a grandiose stage for the court nobility: holidays, festivities, masquerades and other amusements took place here, in the shadow of which intrigues and palace intrigues wove.
Louis, who turned his life into a magnificent performance, patronized the classical theater - operas by Lully and plays by Racine and Moliere were staged at Versailles. This tradition was continued by his successors, especially the wife of Louis the Sixteenth, Marie Antoinette, who built her own theater and acted in it herself.
The main palace complex, created in the style of French classicism, amazes with its scale. The ensemble consists of three successively located courtyards - the Ministers, the Royal Court, where only the carriages of the monarch could enter, and the Marble Court, where the buildings of the hunting castle of Louis the Thirteenth were preserved.
Versailles is the history of France
The history of Versailles is not limited to the lives of kings. It was here that in June 1789, deputies of the Third Estate proclaimed themselves the National Assembly, and later the Constituent Assembly. That same year, on August 26, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was adopted at Versailles.
Here, six years earlier, the document approving the independence of the United States was signed. On June 28, 1919, a peace treaty was concluded at Versailles, ending the First World War.
Since 1837, Versailles has officially been the Museum of French History.
Ten years ago, the Palace of Versailles became part of a large-scale restoration project of the palace, under the patronage of Jacques Chirac. According to the plan, within 20 years the interior of the Opera and the façade were to be renovated, the original layout of the gardens was restored, the gilded King's Grille was returned to the inner Marble Court, etc.
However, life makes its own adjustments and today restoration work is limited to maintaining the palace in working condition.
Palace of Versailles – VIDEO tour
Versailles is a palace and park ensemble in France, the former residence of French kings in the city of Versailles, now a suburb of Paris. The total area of the entire territory with gardens, fountains, pools, cascades, grottoes, sculptures and elegant palaces is truly royal, more than one hundred hectares.
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We will be pleased if you share with your friends:And in general, looking at the palaces of France, we cannot help but look into the most probably famous palace and park complex in France. Let it be known to everyone, you have heard a lot about it, but let’s take a virtual look there for a couple of minutes.
Versailles- this name is associated throughout the world with the idea of the most significant and magnificent palace, erected by the will of one monarch. The Versailles palace and park ensemble, a recognized masterpiece of world heritage, is quite young - it is only three and a half centuries old. The Palace and Park of Versailles is one of the outstanding architectural ensembles in the history of world architecture. The layout of the vast park, the territory associated with the Palace of Versailles, is the pinnacle of French park art, and the palace itself is a first-class architectural monument. A galaxy of brilliant masters worked on this ensemble. They created a complex, complete architectural complex, which included a monumental palace building and a number of park structures of “small forms”, and, most importantly, a park that was exceptional in its compositional integrity.
The Versailles ensemble is a highly characteristic and striking work of French classicism of the 17th century. The palace and park ensemble of Versailles is the greatest architectural monument of the 17th century, which had a strong influence on the urban planning thought of the 18th century. Versailles in general became a kind of “ideal city”, which the authors of the Renaissance dreamed and wrote about and which, through the will of Louis XIV, the “Sun King”, and the art of his architects and gardeners, turned out to be realized in reality, and in close proximity to Paris. But let's talk about everything in more detail...
Mention of Versailles first appeared in a charter of 1038 issued by the Abbey of St. Peter. It spoke of a certain lord Hugo of Versailles, the owner of a small castle and the surrounding areas. The emergence of the first settlement - a small village around the castle - is usually dated to the mid-11th century. Another village soon grew up around the Church of St. Julian.
The 13th century (especially the years of the reign of Saint Louis) for Versailles, as well as for the whole of Northern France, became a century of prosperity. However, the subsequent 14th century brought with it a terrible plague epidemic and the Hundred Years' War between England and France. All these misfortunes brought Versailles into a very deplorable state: by the end of the 14th century, its population numbered just over 100 people. It began to recover only in the next 15th century.
Versailles as an architectural and park ensemble did not arise immediately; it was not created by one architect, like many palaces of the 17th-18th centuries that imitated him. At the end of the 16th century, Versailles was a small village in the forest, where he sometimes hunted Henry IV. Ancient chronicles report that at the beginning of the 17th century, Versailles was a village with a population of about 500 people; a mill then stood on the site of the future palace, and fields and endless swamps stretched all around. In 1624 it was built on behalf of Louis XIII, by the architect Philibert Le Roy, a small hunting castle near a village called Versailles.
Near it there was a medieval dilapidated castle - the property of the house of Gondi. Saint-Simon in his memoirs calls this ancient Versailles castle a “house of cards.” But soon this castle was rebuilt by the architect Lemercier by order of the king. At the same time, Louis XIII acquired the Gondi site along with the dilapidated archbishop's palace and demolished it to expand his park. The small castle was located 17 kilometers from Paris. It was a U-shaped structure with a moat. In front of the castle there were four buildings made of stone and brick with metal bars on the balconies. The courtyard of the old castle, which later received the name Mramorny, has been preserved until today. The first gardens of the Versailles Park were laid out by Jacques Boisseau and Jacques de Menoir.
In the mid-16th century, the only lord of Versailles was Martial de Lomeny, Minister of Finance under King Charles IX. Charles granted him the right to hold four annual fairs in Versailles and open a weekly market (on Thursdays). The population of Versailles, which was still a small village, at this time was about 500 people. However, French religious wars between Catholics and Protestants led to a quick change of the seigneurial dynasty. Martial was arrested for his sympathies towards the Huguenots (French Protestants) and thrown into prison. Here he was visited by the Duke de Retz, Albert de Gondi, who had long been nurturing plans to seize the Versailles territories. Through threats, he forced de Lomeny to sign a document according to which the latter ceded Versailles to him at a negligible price.
At the beginning of the 17th century, King Louis XIII began to frequently visit Versailles, who took great pleasure in hunting in the local forests. In 1623, he ordered the construction of a small castle where hunters could stop for a rest. This building became the first royal palace in Versailles. On April 8, 1632, Louis XIII completely bought the seigneury from the last Versailles owner, Jean-François de Gondi, for 66,000 livres. In the same year, the king appointed his valet Arnaud as governor of Versailles. In 1634, the architect Philibert le Roy was commissioned to rebuild the old Versailles castle into a royal palace. However, despite the changes that took place, by the end of the reign of Louis XIII, Versailles had not changed much appearance. It, as before, was a small village.
Everything changed with the accession to the throne of the king - the sun, Louis XIV. It was during the reign of this monarch (1643-1715) that Versailles became a city and a favorite royal residence.
In 1662, Versailles began to be built according to Le Nôtre's plan. Andre Le Nôtre(1613-1700) by this time had already become famous as a builder of country estates with regular parks (in Vaux-le-Vicomte, Saux, Saint-Cloud, etc.). It is interesting that in 1655-1661 N. Fouquet, the largest financier of absolutist France, according to the project of the architect Louis le Vaux rebuilt his country castle. The main thing in the palace and park ensemble of Vaux-le-Vicomte was not even the palace itself (at that time quite modest), but general principle creating a country residence. The whole of it was turned into a giant park, skillfully designed by the architect-gardener Andre Le Nôtre. The Vaux-le-Vicomte Palace demonstrated the new lifestyle of the French aristocrat - in nature, outside the walls of a cramped, crowded city. I liked the palace and park so much Louis XIV that he could not come to terms with the idea that they were not his property. The French king immediately imprisoned Fouquet and entrusted the architects Louis le Vau and Andre Le Nôtre with the construction of his palace at Versailles. The architecture of the Fouquet estate was adopted as a model for Versailles. Having preserved the Fouquet Palace, the king removed from it everything that could be removed and taken away, right down to the orange trees and marble statues of the park.
Le Nôtre began by building a city that would house the courtiers of Louis XIV and a large staff of palace servants and military guards. The city was designed for thirty thousand inhabitants. Its layout was subject to three radial highways, which diverged from the central part of the palace in three directions: to Seau, Saint-Cloud, and Paris. Despite the direct analogy with the Roman triradius, the Versailles composition differed significantly from its Italian prototype. In Rome, the streets diverged from Piazza del Popolo, but in Versailles they quickly converged on the palace. In Rome, the width of the streets was less than thirty meters, in Versailles - about a hundred. In Rome, the angle formed between the three highways was 24 degrees, and in Versailles 30 degrees. To settle the city as quickly as possible Louis XIV distributed building plots to everyone (of course, nobles) for a reasonable price with the only condition that buildings be built in the same style and not higher than 18.5 meters, that is, the level of the entrance to the palace.
In 1673, a decision was made to demolish the old Versailles buildings, including the church. New Cathedral St. Julian's was erected in its place in 1681-1682. On May 6, 1682, Louis XIV, along with his entire court, moved from Paris to Versailles. This became a turning point in the history of the city. By the first quarter of the 18th century (i.e. by the end of Louis's reign), Versailles had become a luxurious royal residence, and its population was 30,000 inhabitants.
As a result of the second construction cycle, Versailles developed into an integral palace and park ensemble, which is wonderful example synthesis of arts - architecture, sculpture, and landscape gardening art of French classicism of the 17th century. However, after the death of the cardinal Mazarin, Versailles, created by Levo, began to seem insufficiently majestic to express the idea of an absolute monarchy. Therefore, he was invited to rebuild Versailles Jules Hardouin Mansart, the largest architect of the end of the century, whose name is associated with the third construction period in the history of the creation of this complex, the great-nephew of the famous Francois Mansart. Mansar further enlarged the palace by erecting two wings, each five hundred meters long, at right angles to the southern and northern facades of the palace. In the northern wing he placed a church (1699-1710), the vestibule of which was finished by Robert de Cotte. In addition, Mansart built two more floors above the Levo terrace, creating a Mirror Gallery along the western facade, closing with the halls of War and Peace (1680-1886).
Adam Frans van der Meulen - Construction of the Château de Versailles
On the axis of the palace towards the entrance on the second floor, Mansart placed the royal bedroom with a view of the city and an equestrian statue of the king, which was later placed at the vanishing point of the trident of the roads of Versailles. The king's chambers were located in the northern part of the palace, and the queen's in the southern part. Mansart also built two buildings of Ministers (1671-1681), which formed the third, the so-called “court of the Ministers,” and connected these buildings with a rich gilded lattice. All this completely changed the appearance of the building, although Mansar left the same height of the building. Gone are the contrasts, the freedom of imagination, nothing remains but the extended horizontal of the three-story structure, united in the structure of its facades with the ground, front and attic floors. The impression of grandeur that this brilliant architecture produces is achieved by the large scale of the whole and the simple and calm rhythm of the entire composition.
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Mansar knew how to unite various elements into a single artistic whole. He had an amazing sense of ensemble, striving for rigor in decoration. For example, in the Mirror Gallery he used a single architectural motif - a uniform alternation of walls and openings. This classicist base creates a sense of clear form. Thanks to Mansart, the expansion of the Palace of Versailles acquired a natural character. The extensions received a strong relationship with the central buildings. The ensemble, outstanding in its architectural and artistic qualities, was successfully completed and had a great influence on the development of world architecture.
Each of the inhabitants of the Palace of Versailles left their mark on its architecture and decoration. Louis XV, the great-grandson of Louis XIV, who inherited the throne in 1715, only towards the end of his reign in 1770 decided to make changes to the architecture of the palace. He ordered separate apartments to be equipped in order to protect his life from court etiquette. In turn, Louis XV inherited from his great-grandfather a love of the arts, as evidenced by his decoration Inner chambers; and the penchant for secret political intrigue passed to him from the Italian ancestors of the Medici family and the Savoy dynasty. It was in the Inner Cabinets, far from the curious court, that he who was called "Everyone's Favorite" made some of the most important decisions of the state. At the same time, the king did not neglect either the etiquette established by his predecessor, or the life of the family, of which the queen and his especially beloved daughters reminded him.
After the death of the Sun King, Philip of Orleans, who became regent under the young Louis XV, decided to move the French court back to Paris. This was a notable blow to Versailles, which immediately lost about half of its inhabitants. However, everything returned to its previous state when, in 1722, the matured Louis XV moved to Versailles again. Under his successor Louis XVI, the city had to go through many dramatic moments. By a whim of fate, this luxurious royal residence was to become the cradle of the Great French Revolution. It was here that the Estates General met in 1789, and here, on June 20, 1789, deputies from the Third Estate took a solemn oath not to disperse until their demands for political changes in France were accepted. Here, at the beginning of October 1789, a crowd of heated revolutionaries arrived from Paris, which, having captured the palace, forced the royal family to return to the capital. After this, Versailles again began to rapidly lose population: its population decreased from 50,000 people (in 1789) to 28,000 people (in 1824). During the revolutionary events, almost all the furniture and valuables were removed from the Palace of Versailles, but the building itself was not destroyed. During the reign of the Directory, restoration work was carried out in the palace, after which a museum was located here.
Louis XVI, the heir of Louis XV, whose reign was tragically interrupted by the revolution, inherited enviable heroic strength from his maternal grandfather, the Polish king Augustus of Saxony; on the other hand, his Bourbon ancestors passed on to him not only a true passion for hunting, but also a deep interest in science. His wife Marie Antoinette, daughter of the Duke of Lorraine, who later became Emperor of Austria, left a deep mark on the musical life of Versailles thanks to her love of music, inherited from both the Habsburgs of Austria and Louis XIII. Unlike his ancestors, Louis XVI did not have the ambitions of a creator king. Known for his simple tastes, he lived in the palace out of necessity. During his reign, the interior of the palace was updated, and, above all, the Queen's Small Offices, which were located parallel to his Large Chambers. During the revolution, all the furniture and decorations of the palace were stolen. Napoleon and then Louis XVIII carried out restoration work at Versailles. After the July Revolution of 1830, the palace was supposed to be demolished. This issue was put to a vote in the Chamber of Deputies. The margin of one vote was saved by Versailles. The last of the dynasty, King Louis Philippe ruled France from 1830 to 1848. In 1830, after the July Revolution, which brought him to the throne, the House of Representatives passed a law by which Versailles and Trianon passed into the possession of the new king. Wasting no time, Louis Philippe ordered the creation of a Museum in Versailles in honor of the glorious victories of France, which opened on June 1, 1837. This purpose of the castle has been preserved to this day.
The creators of the palace were not only Louis Le Vaux and Mansart. A significant group of architects worked under their leadership. Lemuet, Dorbay, Pierre Guitard, Bruant, Pierre Cottar and Blondel worked with Le Vaux. Mansart's main assistant was his student and relative Robert de Cotte, who continued to supervise the construction after Mansart's death in 1708. In addition, Charles Davilet and Lassurance worked at Versailles. The interiors were made according to drawings by Beren, Vigarani, as well as Lebrun and Mignard. Due to the participation of many masters, the architecture of Versailles is now of a heterogeneous nature, especially since the construction of Versailles - from the appearance of the hunting castle of Louis XIII to the construction of the battle gallery of Louis Philippe - lasted about two centuries (1624-1830).
During the Napoleonic wars, Versailles was captured twice by Prussian troops (in 1814 and 1815). The Prussian invasion occurred again during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. The occupation lasted 174 days. In the Palace of Versailles, chosen by the Prussian King Wilhelm I as a temporary residence, on January 18, 1871, the creation of the German Empire was announced.
In the 20th century, Versailles also witnessed major international events more than once. It was here that a peace treaty was signed in 1919, ending the First World War and marking the beginning of the Versailles system international relations.
Main palace complex(Chateau de Versailles) was built in the 17th century by King Louis XIV, who wanted to move here from unsafe Paris. The luxurious rooms are richly decorated with marble, velvet and wood carvings. The main attractions here are the Royal Chapel, the Salon of Venus, the Salon of Apollo and the Hall of Mirrors. The decoration of the state rooms was dedicated to Greek gods. The Salon of Apollo was originally Louis's throne room. The Hall of Mirrors contains 17 huge mirrors reflecting the tall arched windows and crystal candelabra.
Grand Trianon- a beautiful palace made of pink marble was built by Louis XIV for his beloved Madame de Maintenon. Here the monarch loved to spend his free time. The palace was later home to Napoleon and his second wife.
Petit Trianon- another love nest built by King Louis XV for Madame de Pompadour. Later, the Petit Trianon was occupied by Marie Antoinette, and even later by Napoleon's sister. The nearby Temple of Love is said to have been Marie Antoinette's favorite place for parties.
Colonnade- a circle of marble columns and arches, located within the gardens, continues the theme of the gods of Olympus. The place was the king's favorite outdoor dining area.
During the Second World War, Versailles was occupied by German troops. In addition, the city had to endure several brutal bombings, which killed 300 Versailles residents. The liberation of Versailles took place on August 24, 1944, and was carried out by French troops under the command of General Leclerc.
On February 25, 1965, a government decree was issued, according to which Versailles was to be turned into the prefecture of the new department of Yvelines, the official creation of which took place on January 1, 1968.
Today the city retains this status. Being one of the most attractive tourist destinations, Versailles is rightfully proud of its history and architectural monuments. In 1979, the palace and park of Versailles were officially included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Pierre-Denis Martin - View of Versailles
Gardens of Versailles with their sculptures, fountains, pools, cascades and grottoes soon became for the Parisian nobility the arena of brilliant court festivities and Baroque entertainment, during which they could enjoy the operas of Lully and the plays of Racine and Moliere.
Parks of Versailles spread over an area of 101 hectares. There are many observation platforms, alleys and promenades, there is even its own Grand Canal, or rather, a whole system of canals, which was called “little Venice”. Myself Palace of Versailles is also striking in its size: the length of its park façade is 640 meters, the Mirror Gallery located in the center is 73 meters long.
Versailles is open to visitors
in May - September from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:30.
the fountains are open on Saturdays from July 1 to September 30 and on Sundays from early April to early October.
How to get there - Versailles
Trains (electric trains) go to Versailles from the Gare Montparnasse station, Montparnasse Bienvenue metro station (metro line 12). The entrance to the station is directly from the metro. Continue to the stop Versailles Chantiers. Travel time is 20 minutes. The cost of a round-trip ticket is 5.00 euros.
Exit the station in the direction "Sortie" (exit), then go straight. The road will take you to the palace in 10 - 15 minutes.
Fabulous Palace of Versailles is a testament to the extravagance of the Sun King, Louis XIV. The palace and its beautiful formal garden became the main model for palaces throughout Europe.
- From Paris: 22 km from Paris, 35 minutes by car.
Opening hours of Versailles:
April - October:
- Palace 9:00 - 18:30, last entry 18:00, ticket office closes at 17:50. Closed on Mondays.
- Trianon Palace and Marie Antoinette's estate - 12:00 - 20:30, closed on Mondays.
- Garden - daily 8:00 - 20:30.
- Park - daily 7 - 19 for vehicles and 7 - 20:30 for pedestrians.
November - March
- palace 9:00 - 17:30, last entrance 17:00, ticket office closes at 16:50. Closed on Mondays.
- Trianon Palace and Marie Antoinette's estate - 12:00 - 17:30, closed on Mondays.
- Garden and park - daily, except Mondays, 8:00 - 18:00.
Entrance to Versailles:
- A ticket to the Palace of Versailles costs 15€ for adults (including audio guide), reduced price - 13 €, under 18 years old free.
- “Hidden Versailles” - with a guide, private apartments - 16 €.
- Trianon Palace and the estate of Marie Antoinette - 10 € (preferential - 6 €).
- Full Versailles: 18 €(25 € on days of musical concerts).
- Forfaits Loisirs combined ticket (all of Versailles + tickets from and to Paris)- 21.75 € on weekdays, 26 € on weekends. You can buy it at SNCF railway ticket offices. (the best option).
In summer after 15:00 entrance to the palace territory (park) for free.
The first Sunday of every month from November to March - free tour of the apartments, coronation room, Trianon Palace and Marie Antoinette's estate.
How to get to Versailles:
The most convenient way to get to Versailles from public transport is by direct train:
- : stop Versailles-Rive Gauche(ticket zone 1 - 4, regular T+ is not valid).
- : Versailles-Chantiers(from) or Versailles-Rive Droite(trains from Gare St-Lazare station). Travel time is about 20 minutes. Then walk to Versailles following the signs - about 15 minutes.
Train ticket to Versailles: 7.10 € in both directions, you need to select your final destination at the ticket machine - Versailles Rive Gauche.
Valid tickets: Paris Visite (1 - 5 zones) - from 11.15 €/day.
Train schedule to Versailles - RER C:
RER C route map (download PDF):
Maps of Versailles:
A Brief History of Versailles
Versailles is located about 20 kilometers from Paris. The first mention of the city and the estate was in 1038, when the name appeared in the charter of the abbey of Saint-Pere-de-Chartres. At the end of the 11th century, Versailles was a provincial village, encompassing a castle and the church of Saint-Julien, which remained prosperous until the early 13th century. After the Hundred Years' War, however, only a handful of people lived there.
Royal presence
In the 16th century, the Gondi family became rulers of Versailles, and the city became popular when the future King Louis XIII visited the area and was captivated by its beauty. In 1622, he bought land in the area and began building a small house of stone and brick.
Statue of Louis XIV
Ten years later he became the master of Versailles and began expanding his house. He soon acquired more land, as well as the Gondi property. Louis XIII died in 1643.
Sun King
In 1662, the new king, Louis XIV, turned out to be very interested in Versailles. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, did not trust the Parisians and wanted to move his royal residence away from the Louvre, which was constantly at the center of political turmoil. The Sun King was largely responsible for the expansion of Versailles, which resulted in the construction of a building that still stands today. He hired the architect Louis Le Vau and the artist Charles Lebrun to build this Baroque masterpiece, which became a typical example for all palaces in Europe. The famous gardener André Le Notre was responsible for the unsurpassed garden of Versailles.
Royal Chapel
After the death of the architect Le Vau, Jules Hardouin-Mansart was commissioned to triple the size of the palace. Under his watchful eye, the north and south wings, the Orangerie, the Grand Trianon (castle) and the royal chapel were built. Later the opera house and the Petit Trianon (small castle) were added, which was built between 1761 and 1764 for Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour.
French revolution
During the French Revolution, the incredible collection of paintings, antiques and other works of art that had accumulated at Versailles were transferred to the Palace, and other important items were sent to the National Library and Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. Most of the furniture, according to historians, was sold at auction.
Royal Palace
After the revolution, Napoleon spent the summer at Versailles until he abdicated the throne. Later, Louis Philippe lived here, who in 1830 turned the castle into a grand museum dedicated to the “Glory of France.” The Chapel, Opera, and Hall of Mirrors were preserved, but many of the smaller rooms were demolished to make way for spacious exhibition halls. However, in the 1960s, curator Pierre Werlet managed to get some of the furniture back and restore a number of royal apartments.
Today, visitors can visit Versailles, see much of the interior of this magnificent palace, as well as the world famous garden.
Versailles Museum:
Notable numbers include:
Hall of Mirrors
Some call the Hall of Mirrors 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 that overlook the equally magnificent garden of Versailles. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors, for a total of 357 mirrors in the room. This magnificent hall is 73 meters long, 10.5 meters wide and 12.3 meters high. Statues and busts line the walls. The Hall of Mirrors has always played an important role in history, including in 1919, when the First World War officially ended, Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles in this hall.
Royal Chapel
Currently, the chapel is already the fifth in the palace. Construction began in 1689 and was completed around 1710. There is a "tribune" on the same level as the royal apartments, overlooking the nave where the kings sat while attending mass. The architecture is a combination of Gothic and Baroque. Many details of the chapel are reminiscent of medieval cathedrals, including the gargoyle and gabled roof, colored marble tiles on the floors, columns and carved pillars.
Grand - apartments
Originally known as the Apartments of the Planets (each of the 7-salons of these apartments has paintings of the planets), these were the apartments of King Louis XIV. While all the apartments are mesmerizing, most notable are the ceilings painted by the king's artist Charles Lebrenoy and his team of artists.
Royal Opera
The Opera's auditorium is made entirely of wood, making it one of the most acoustically “live” theaters in the world. Although it was a court theater and was not intended for a huge audience, it seats more than 700 people. Gold, pink and green colors dominate the decor of the Opera, the construction of which was finally completed only in 1770. It was first used for the wedding ball of the future King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and boasts a unique mechanical system, which raises the floor to stage level. Today the Opera is still used for concerts and opera performances.
Park geometry
Spread over 100 hectares, the garden of Versailles is the largest palace garden in Europe. It was created in the 17th century by landscape gardener André Le Nôtre, who designed what can be considered the quintessential French formal garden. The garden is laid out in a geometric pattern created by paths, shrubs, flower beds 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 decorate the pools. 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 on chariots. There are several other fountains in the garden, such as the Neptune Fountain. The fountains were installed to entertain the many guests invited to King Louis XIV's lavish organized balls.
Another notable feature in the garden is the Colonnade, a circular row of marble columns designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart.
Petit Trianon
Versailles also has several smaller palaces located in the garden: the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon. About 10,000 people worked at the Palace of Versailles, so privacy could not be counted on. Therefore, 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 have a tryst with his mistress. His successor, King Louis XV, later built an even smaller palace - Petit Trianon - for the same reason.
Palace of Versailles (French: Château de Versailles)- one of the French royal residences, which was built in the suburbs of Paris, the city of Versailles, in the 17th century. Today it is one of the most popular attractions not only in France, but also in the world.
The Versailles Palace complex, which includes several other “small palaces” and a park, is the largest in Europe. Despite the splendor and size, general form The Palace of Versailles is holistic, it does not create a feeling of cluttered elements and excess, which allowed it to become a model for other royal residences of the Renaissance. But Versailles itself became a symbol of the immoderate and irrational spending of public money during the very peak of the absolute monarchy. This is what makes the palace interesting, since it is unlikely that in the near future there will be residences anywhere that can outshine Versailles.
Story
The history of the construction of the Versailles complex is quite simple, it can be retold in literally one sentence: King Louis XIV, at the peak of both his own power and the power of France itself, wanted a new residence and built it. But the political background and role of Versailles in world history is very extensive and interesting.
Terrain before construction
Versailles was a small village some distance from Paris, about 20 kilometers from the center of the French capital. The first mention is found in a document of 1038, then it was owned by a certain feudal lord Hugo de Versailles. The settlement was on the busy road from Paris to Normandy, but plague and war virtually destroyed the village in subsequent centuries.
The history directly related to the royal palace begins in 1575, when the Florentine Albert de Gondi, who made a career at the court of Charles IX, took possession of these lands. Then, at the beginning of the 17th century, Louis XIII came to Versailles to hunt at the invitation of the Gondi family. The king really liked the area and in 1624 a small royal hunting residence was built here. After the death of the last representatives of the Florentine family, the lands become the property of the crown.
Expansion of the Versailles chateau
In 1632, after the annexation of the Gondi lands, the first expansion of the hunting lodge took place. Two auxiliary wings, a wall covering the entrance, and four towers were completed. A ditch was dug around, and the territory was protected by a separate wall. Thus, a small hunting lodge was turned into a fortified country royal residence. The future Louis XIV lives here, who became king at the age of 5, was crowned only in 1654 and began to really rule only in 1661. By the beginning of the reign of Louis XIV, the future main palace expanded even further, two large outer wings, several auxiliary buildings appeared, and the outer walls were updated.
In parallel, political processes were taking place, which influenced the fact that the Palace of Versailles in the future became the permanent location of the royal court. Until 1661, the king was ruled by his mother, Anne of Austria, and his minister, Cardinal Mazarin. The future king, who miraculously survived civil war– Frondu, understood that he had to concentrate power in his hands, but acted with extreme caution. Having waited until the death of the cardinal in 1661, Louis XIV announced that he was beginning to rule personally, without the help of the first minister.
In the same 1661, Nicolas Fouquet was arrested, who held the position of Minister of Finance in France, thanks to which he made a huge fortune for himself and gained power. Just in 1661, Fouquet completed the construction of his personal residence, another famous French palace - Vaux-le-Vicomte. This estate was arrested, and the trio involved in the construction: Louis Levo (architect), Andre Le Nôtre (specialist in gardens and parks) and Charles Lebrun (artist who also worked on interiors) went to work for Louis, who was amazed by the beauty of the palace of the main financier.
André Le Nôtre is also famous for building the park that later became the Champs-Élysées street.
Construction of the Royal Palace at Versailles
The transformation of Versailles from a country estate to the palace we see today was carried out in three stages, each of which began in the period between the wars fought by Louis XIV. At the same time, the entire royal court moved here from the Louvre only in 1682, but de facto the king spent a significant part of his time in Versailles even before that.
The construction of a new royal residence had many political goals. Firstly, Louis XIV, who supported absolutism, was afraid of betrayals and coups, and therefore preferred to keep the aristocratic elite nearby. Secondly, being in Paris was more dangerous than being in a country residence if there was an uprising among the people. Thirdly, having a palace of this level of luxury for the king strengthened his power not only in France, but also on the world stage. Under Louis XIV, France was at the pinnacle of cultural, political and military power, and the Palace of Versailles became one of the proofs of this.
First stage
Work on the first stage of rebuilding the palace and Versailles park began in 1664 and ended in 1668, as France began the war with Spain. At this time the castle and park were expanded to accommodate a large number of guests, up to 600 people.
Second phase
After the end of the War for the Netherlands, in 1669, they began a second construction campaign at Versailles, which lasted 3 years. The main changes are a complete reconstruction of the central part, which used to be a hunting lodge.
The north wing was converted into apartments for the king, and the south for the queen. The western part was turned into a terrace, which later became the famous Mirror Gallery. There was also a unique luxurious octagonal bathtub filled with hot water. The upper floors were occupied by private rooms, as well as apartments for the royal children.
It is interesting and very unusual that the chambers for the king and queen were the same size and had an almost mirror layout. Considering the attitude of Louis XIV towards his wife, Maria Theresa, most likely the political goal was pursued - in the future to unite the two kingdoms into equal conditions, but these plans could not be realized.
Third stage
After the end of the next war, the Dutch War, in 1678, the third campaign for the construction of Versailles began, lasting until 1684. It was during this period that the most famous room, the Mirror Gallery, was built on the site of the terrace. It connected the chambers of the king and queen and became famous for its luxurious design, which amazes even now, although in fact, a significant part of the luxury elements was sold already in 1689.
Of the new buildings at Versailles, two large wings appeared, which housed the greenhouse, the chambers of the princes of the blood, as well as rooms for the representatives of the nobility who lived in the palace. In addition, it was during this period that significant attention was paid to the park part.
A major historical milestone came in 1682, when the royal court officially moved to the Palace of Versailles from the Louvre, and the nobility were actually obliged to settle next to the king, which led to an increase in the population and prosperity of the city of Versailles.
The fourth final stage of construction
For a long time, nothing was built at Versailles, since the state budget sank greatly due to the wars, and in 1689 an edict against luxury was adopted and even some of the decoration of the royal palace was sold to sponsor the Nine Years' War. But some time after its completion in 1699, the last construction campaign of Louis XIV began, which became the longest and ended in 1710.
Its main goal was the construction of a new chapel, the fifth for Versailles. In addition to this, small changes were made to the palace itself, but they were not significant. At the same time, the building of the chapel greatly influenced the appearance of the palace, since, due to its height and rectangular shape, it changed the appearance of the facade, which caused criticism even in those years. But still architectural style Baroque, and rich interior decoration made the Chapel of Versailles one of the most interesting elements of the complex.
Palace of Versailles after Louis XIV
Louis XV also made changes to the palace. Their scale is not comparable to his father's work, but is still quite significant. The interiors of the main building were redone, in particular - for the sake of building chambers for the king's daughters, the Ambassadors' Staircase, the only main staircase of the palace, was destroyed.
The main architectural innovations of this period usually include the Petit Trianon, a separate rather modest palace for the favorite - Madame Pompadour, as well as the Royal Opera. The project for a permanent theater on the territory of the palace appeared under his predecessor, but it was Louis XV who found the funds for the theater, which at that time became the largest in Europe and which still functions today.
It is interesting that Peter I visited Versailles. During the trip, he was accommodated in the Grand Trianon, a separate castle for the king, intended for relaxation from officialdom. The Russian emperor was inspired by the palace during the construction of Peterhof, but did not copy either the look or the style, but only the general idea.
The reign of Louis XVI was reflected primarily in the park of Versailles. It has been significantly altered, mainly because many of the trees have dried out in the hundred years since they were planted. Also, some changes were made to the interiors and facade design.
After the revolution
With the outbreak of the revolution in France, Louis left the Palace of Versailles and settled in Paris in the Tuileries, and the old residence came under the control of the residents of the city of Versailles. The management was able to protect it from looting; Louis XVI then tried to remove the furniture, but this failed.
After the arrest of the king, the Palace of Versailles was sealed, and then a plan was drawn up to reduce the luxury and further use of the complex. A significant part of the furniture was sold at auction, except for particularly valuable exhibits that were sent to the museum. The palace itself and the surrounding areas were going to be sold or leased, but in the end they decided to leave it in the possession of the Republic and use it “for the public good.” Various confiscated valuables were brought here, which later became the basis of the museum fund. At the same time, the palace itself fell into disrepair; Andre Dumont took up its restoration, but even then the decorative and interior elements were sold to cover government expenses.
Napoleon changed the status of the Palace of Versailles back to the residence of the ruler, although he himself did not live in the main building, but in the Grand Trianon. But the exhibits under him were distributed to other museums. Versailles also served as a branch of the Invalides' Home, having received this status even before the emperor came to power.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the palace played an important role in history. Here the German Empire was proclaimed, then the Franco-Prussian peace was signed, and then the famous Treaty of Versailles, which put an end to the First World War.
Major changes were introduced by Louis Philippe I, who once again turned the Palace of Versailles into a museum dedicated to French greatness. This status has actually been preserved to this day, although the museum has since been reorganized, and the exhibitions are built on the basis of scientific rather than political principles. Its curator Pierre de Nolhac did a lot for Versailles, who not only transformed the exhibitions, but also began restoring the pre-revolutionary appearance of the palace.
Nowadays
Today, the Palace of Versailles retains the status of a museum and one of the main attractions of France, but at the same time it retains a number of official government functions. In the 20th century, after World War II, the damaged and desolate Versailles had to be restored with money collected from all over France. For certain advertising, absolutely all meetings between heads of state were held here until the 90s.
Now the Palace of Versailles is financially and legally autonomous, and its profit comes from the 5 million people who visit this French landmark every year. Also, between 8 and 10 million visit the park and gardens of Versailles.
Construction cost
One of the most interesting questions regarding the Palace of Versailles is the cost of its construction. At the same time, it is very difficult to give a definite answer, although most of the financial documents have been preserved.
The initial reconstruction of the hunting lodge was financed by the personal funds of Louis XIV; the king at that time was a feudal lord and had personal land plots from which he received direct income. But then construction began to be financed, including from the state budget.
Despite the clearly high amount of costs, during the construction of the Palace of Versailles it was turned into a “French showcase” and all materials, decor, finishing and other elements, at the request of the king, had to be produced only within France.
A certain part of the interior items is difficult to express in any value, since they are unique works of art. But, based on the total amount of money spent, it is still possible to derive several calculation methods:
- The simplest and least accurate is a simple recalculation of the amount of silver at modern prices for this metal; it gives an amount of about 2.6 billion euros, which is clearly far from reality.
- Another method involves calculating data on the purchasing power of the then currency and calculating the estimate of Versailles based on these data, according to which the total amount spent on the palace is 37 billion. This is probably the most accurate amount since it can be assumed that modern world for 37 billion euros it is possible to build a similar palace.
- The third method is more speculative, it involves comparing costs with the state budget and gives an amount of almost 260 billion euros, which, despite the wealth of the palace, still seems overpriced. With all this, it is worth considering that the costs were not one-time, but stretched over 50 years of construction.
Versailles park and palace complex
The administration of the palace divides the entire complex into a number of main zones: the Chateau itself, the Grand and Petit Trianons, Marie Antoinette's farm, as well as the garden and park area. All these parts of Versailles are available for inspection, and you can even take a walk in the park, with some exceptions, for free.
Chateau in French is simply “palace”, but at the same time it is the official name of the main building of Versailles. There is no point in going on an excursion to the complex and not visiting the royal palace, which is why most often it becomes the first object a tourist visits.
Exterior view of the central building - chateau
After passing through the main entrance to Versailles, the visitor finds himself in the courtyard of the Chateau and can go directly to the palace or enter the park, and explore the royal residence later.
Inside the Chateau, the main attraction is the Hall of Mirrors - the central gallery connecting the two wings, decorated with very rich decoration and a large number of mirrors. In addition, the royal chambers, the private rooms of the king’s daughters, and the queen’s bedroom are on display.
Some of the premises are accessible only to organized groups or guided tours.
Also in the Chateau there is a museum of the history of the Palace of Versailles, several art galleries, the most famous of which is the Battle Hall, where paintings tell about the main battles in the history of France. Sometimes you can view the interior of the Royal Opera House, depending on the preparation schedule for the concerts.
On the territory of the Versailles complex there are two separate palaces, called Trianons. The Grand Trianon is smaller than the Chateau, but not every European monarch had a main palace of a similar size, since the Trianon building itself has almost three dozen rooms, has a separate courtyard and a garden with ponds.
The Grand Trianon was used as a place of residence for the king and his relatives, outside the strict palace etiquette, in some privacy. Also, all the rulers who came on visits to France were traditionally settled here; among the guests of the Grand Trianon were: Peter I, Elizabeth II, Gorbachev, Yeltsin, etc. And all the French rulers lived in it after the revolution, since the Chateau performed other functions and even Napoleon did not want to use it as his main residence.
Inside the Grand Trianon, visitors will find several rooms that have completely preserved the interiors of past centuries, the empress’s bedroom, and several art galleries. The billiard room and the Mirror Salon also look quite interesting.
Petit Trianon
But the Petit Trianon is really a small two-story mansion, which was occupied by women all the time. Initially, these were the favorites of Louis XV - Madame Pompadour and, after her, DuBarry, and then the young Marie Antoinette received this building. The mansion is distinguished by some modesty even in the interiors, although the interior salons and the queen’s bedroom, where visitors are now allowed, are decorated quite richly.
The Petit Trianon serves as the Marie Antoinette Museum; a significant part of the household items and interiors are original, others were restored by restorers. Tourists are also shown the technical rooms where the servants worked - during construction they tried to isolate the service personnel as much as possible, it was assumed that even a set table would be raised to the dining room by a special mechanism, but this idea was never realized. Also in the Petit Trianon there is a small personal theater of the queen, her productions were staged there, in which Marie Antoinette herself played on stage.
Marie Antoinette, who had a lot of free time, built a small village near her mansion. Of course, this is not a real village, but a small and even caricatured settlement, reflecting an idealized idea of peasant life.
But the farm was fully functional, there were 12 residential buildings, there were also goats, cows, pigeons, chickens and other farm animals, there were gardens and beds. The queen personally milked and weeded the cows, although the animals were bathed daily, decorated with bows, and the “peasant women” living here were ordered to maintain a pastoral appearance at all times.
Part of Marie Antoinette's farm
The farm has been preserved almost unchanged; various animals still live here and, in fact, now it is a small petting zoo. In general, the place looks very nice, since many of the houses were built in the form in which they were depicted by 18th-century artists in pastoral landscapes.
To enhance the ambiance, the houses were artificially aged, for example, by painting cracks on the walls with paint.
Versailles Park
The park part of the palace complex attracts almost as many tourists as the palace itself, especially since entrance to the park is often free (when the fountains are not working). The territory of the park itself is very large, about 5 square kilometers, and it is divided into several conventional zones, two main ones:
- The garden is the part directly adjacent to the palace with neat bushes, paths and pools
- Park - classic dense plantings with paths, places to rest, etc.
Almost the entire park area of Versailles is filled with fountains, pools and canals. There is no point in listing them all, but there are a number of the most famous and noticeable: the Neptune Fountain, the Grand Canal, the Apollo Fountain.
The fountains do not work all the time. They are turned on most often on weekends, at which time entrance to the park becomes paid.
It is very difficult to go around the entire park at one time, many do not even have time to get to Trianon, so you can spend 2 days on a trip to Versailles, especially since special tickets are sold for this.
Events
Various events are regularly held in Versailles, some of them on a regular and ongoing basis during the “hot” tourist season.
Musical fountains
Every weekend, as well as on some other holidays and other dates, all the fountains are turned on at full power, and a musical show is staged. This is the best time to visit Versailles as the 18th century fountains are truly impressive.
Night fountain show
During the tourist season (from May to September), every Saturday, after Versailles is closed for the bulk of tourists, there is a fountain show with music, lighting, and it all ends at 11 pm with fireworks over the Grand Canal.
Ball
Before the start of the night show, a real ball is held in the Hall of Mirrors. Musicians and dancers perform classical French music and demonstrate dances traditional for royal balls. Historical costumes, gallant gentlemen and beautiful ladies, of course, is an integral part of this performance.
Other events
There are also other events taking place at the Palace of Versailles. Firstly, these are various temporary exposures. In the galleries of the palace or other buildings on the territory of the complex, various art exhibitions of both modern artists and authors of the past, themed rooms, etc. are exhibited. Secondly, recently (after reconstruction) the Royal Opera has been staging plays and giving concerts. Versailles also hosts master classes, performances by artists, etc. It is recommended to find out more on the official website.
Tourist Information
en.chateauversailles.fr |
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How to get there: |
The main way to get to Versailles from Paris is by RER trains, line C, Versailles Rive Gauche station. From the stop to the entrance to the complex it is about 10 minutes on foot. There is a direct bus from the Pont de Sevres metro station, its number is 171, the final stop. There are also numerous shuttle buses organized by various travel agencies. |
Cost of visit: |
For children from 0 to 5 years old, entry to Versailles is free. Students, children from 6 to 17 years old, people with disabilities receive discounts. |
Working hours: |
The entire complex is always closed on Mondays. There are also three additional days off: January 1, May 1, December 25. |
Facilities: |
On the territory of Versailles there is a cafe with a terrace and takeaway food, as well as several outlets with jacket potatoes and fresh juices. There are two restaurants near the Grand Canal. To get around the park, you can rent a Segway, a bicycle, or ride a tourist train, which will take you from the Chateau to Trianon for 7.5 €. You can also rent a boat for trips along the Grand Canal and Little Venice. |
Versailles on the map
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The stunning palace in the suburbs of Paris has become a symbol of the absolute monarchy and luxury of the last French kings.
He made such a strong impression on his contemporaries that many rulers of other states ordered their architects to create something similar for them.
Although all visitors to Versailles associate this palace primarily with the personality of the legendary Louis XIV, the merits of this town were appreciated by the grandfather of the Sun King, King Henry IV, who loved to hunt in the local forests. Henry's son and heir, Louis XIII, ordered the construction of a small hunting pavilion there in 1623. In the early 1630s, the king bought the territory adjacent to his possessions from the Gondi family and the Archbishop of Paris, and ordered Philibert Leroy a new, more representative building.
The Palace of Louis XIII was completed in 1634. It was a rectangular two-story building with two wings perpendicular to the main building.
In the central part there was a royal bedroom, surrounded by reception halls. Fragments of this layout can be seen in the building of the palace that exists today: the facades around the so-called Marble Court (Cour de Marbre) differ from all others by facing in dark red brick, contrasting with light architectural details - window frames, cornices and decorative elements of cream sandstone.
Favorite residence of Louis XIV
When his father died in 1643, Louis XIV was barely four years old, and he often changed places of residence. Officially, the Louvre remained the main royal residence, but the young king did not like Paris. Every year, he and his court left the capital for several months and lived in the castles of Vincennes, Fontainebleau, and Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
He first visited Versailles only in 1651, and since then this place became his favorite residence. Soon the king decided to rebuild it in order to be able to spend time together with the whole court in a variety of entertainments. To realize this plan, he invited artists and architects.
The building was designed by the famous architect Louis Leveau. Two artists, Charles Herrard and Noël Coipel, were involved in the redevelopment of the gardens, and the redevelopment of the gardens fell to Andre Le Nôtre, whose task also included designing the greenhouse. Work began in 1661, and three years later the king was already able to invite guests to the first palace celebrations dedicated to theatrical productions, including plays by Moliere. At this time, Louis XIV decided to further rebuild the palace. According to Levo's design, enveloppe were erected in 1668-1681 - two massive wings, northern and southern, which surrounded and almost absorbed the palace of Louis XIII. Wings arranged parallel central axis palace and park complex were oriented towards the entrance from the city, and the so-called Royal Court (Cour Royal) was located in the space formed between them. On the side of the garden façade, between the projections of the two wings, Levo placed an arched enfilade, above which he built an open terrace on the upper tier. The southern wing was intended for the ruler's apartments, while the northern wing served the queen and her ladies-in-waiting.
A hall full of mirrors
Louis XIV not only made Versailles his permanent residence, but also decided to transfer the government there. To accommodate the large retinue and officials, another large-scale reconstruction was required, which began in 1678. Levo had already died by that time, and was replaced by another royal architect, Jules Hardouin-Mansart. He designed the impressive Gallery of Mirrors (Galerie des Glares), built on the garden side between the projections on the site of a former observation deck. The gallery opens onto the garden with seventeen high semicircular windows, opposite which on the inner wall there are mirrors, corresponding in shape and size to the windows.
During the day, when the garden was reflected in the mirrors, the gallery turned into an arched pavilion, surrounded on both sides by extensive flower beds; in the evenings, the mirrors multiplied the lights of the candles illuminating the gallery, increasing their brightness. The ceiling depicted scenes glorifying the Sun King and his military achievements. This decoration, completed in 1686, was carried out according to sketches and under the direction of the famous painter Charles Lebrun.
On both sides of the gallery, on the first floor of the risalits, designed by Levo, two luxurious halls were built - the War Hall in the king's apartment and the Peace Hall in the wing that belonged to the queen.
Hardouin-Mansart also designed two massive wings with courtyards, located perpendicular to the central axis of the entire structure. The southern wing was completed in 1684, but construction of the northern wing was suspended due to the ever-increasing cost of the project and was resumed only in the 19th century. The architect rebuilt two separate pavilions built by Levo on the city side, placing between them a spacious courtyard, which was called the Court of Ministers (Cour des Ministres).
Louis XIV and his court moved to Versailles on May 6, 1682, when construction work was in full swing and even the royal apartments were still unfinished. Despite the inconveniences associated with life on the construction site, the king did not change his permanent residence, and the Palace of Versailles remained the residence of French rulers until the revolution of 1789.
The last completed part of the Hardouin-Mansart project was the Royal Chapel, conceived by the architect as an independent building connected to the northern wing of the palace.
Personal apartments of monarchs
Despite numerous reconstructions, the Palace of Versailles looks from the inside as a harmonious whole; the features of classical baroque dominate in a single consistent style. The interiors - in particular, the so-called Grands Appartaments of Louis XIV and his wife, consisting of many halls and connected by a Gallery of Mirrors - amaze with the luxury of decoration, an abundance of sculptures, stucco, gold and wall paintings representing the exploits of the Olympian gods.
There was also room for other buildings in the palace and park ensemble of Versailles. After the purchase and demolition of the small village of Trianon in 1668, Louis Levo built in its place the Porcelain Trianon - an ensemble of pavilions lined with white and black faience tiles.
Ten s extra years later, Jules Hardouin-Mansart received a decree from the king to build new palace, which was intended for the personal needs of the ruler. In the lower part of the vast complex, located between the courtyard and the garden, you can see the recreated village buildings, while elegant sculptural decorations and pink marble lining the façade and colonnades give the entire structure an intimate sophistication.
The Trianon Palace became known as the Grand when a new residence of a similar design appeared nearby, called the Petit Trianon. It was ordered to be built in 1761-1768 by Louis XV, the great-grandson and heir of the Sun King, for his favorite Madame de Pompadour. The author of the Petit Trianon was Jacques-Ange Gabriel. Compared to other buildings of Versailles, the palace really looks small, and its interiors combine features of Rococo and Classicism. The Petit Trianon was the favorite residence of Queen Marie Antoinette, who received it as a gift from Louis XVI.
After the French Revolution broke out in October 1789, royal family Versailles had to be abandoned and the palace was plundered. It regained its shine during the time of Louis Philippe, who ordered the establishment of a museum of French history here. After the final overthrow of the monarchy, meetings of the Congress and parliamentary elections President of the Republic, and the Trianon Palace served as the venue for diplomatic meetings. The Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Gallery of Mirrors on June 28, 1919, ending the First World War.
Famous Gardens
The modest garden that once surrounded the palace, built by Louis XIII, was constantly changed during the reign of his heir - it was expanded and brought to perfection so that its luxury corresponded to the splendor of the building itself. Andre Le Nôtre, designing the garden in 1661, outlined its main features, which remained unchanged throughout the 40 years of the project. Artists and sculptors worked together with Le Nôtre - the environment of the palace had to meet the aesthetic requirements embodied in its interiors. Closer to the garden façade, floral parterres with a strict chessboard composition were placed, which turned into higher so-called cabinets and bosquets, formed by trellises of trimmed bushes and trees, crowned with crowns of a strictly defined shape. The parterres created a frame for two fountains decorated with sculptural compositions. Closer to the palace there is a multi-tiered fountain, dedicated to the goddess Leto (Latone), mother of Apollo and Artemis. A wide alley with lawns stretches from it to the Apollo Fountain. In the center there is a statue of the Sun god driving a chariot, surrounded by tritons and dolphins. The author of these sculptures is Jean-Baptiste Turby.
A harmonious combination of strict geometric shapes greenery and water surface are also characteristic of the far part of the garden, where Le Nôtre built two canals intersecting at right angles. The largest of them, called the Grand Canal, ended in an oval pond.
Since 1664, canals, numerous small fountains, waterfalls and artificial grottoes have formed an important part of the scenery for all kinds of performances and palace celebrations. Along the Grand Canal, in addition to traditional sailing boats, gondolas floated, which Louis XIV received as a gift from the Venetian doges. It is noteworthy that during the time of this ruler, the costs associated with the creation and maintenance of the water system amounted to one third of the cost of building the entire Versailles.
A garden complex maintained in strict geometric proportions, with clearly marked observation decks, decorated with many statues and flowerpots on pedestals, became the quintessence of the features of the “French garden”, which was laid out in many residences in Europe and America in the 17th and 18th centuries. The garden occupies an impressive area of 93 hectares, but in Versailles itself it is called the Petit Pare, since beyond its boundaries there is an incomparably large territory - more than 700 hectares - of the Grand Parc, where the garden surrounding the Grand Trianon Palace is located. It is arranged according to a similar geometric principle and is decorated with parterres reminiscent of oriental carpets.