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What is the architecture style of Versailles in 1700?
The Palace of Versailles was executed in the French Baroque style by architect Louis Le Vau, a French Classical architect who worked for King Louis XIV. French Baroque architectural style is characterized by its large curved forms, twisted columns, high domes, and complicated shapes.
Who was the architect of the Palace of Versailles?
Who was the main architect of the Palace of Versailles? L ouis Le Vau Louis Le Vau 1612-1670 Le Vau was the first architect to carry out major work on Versailles under King Louis XIV. He built the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments and the white stone façade on the garden side, known as “Le Vau’s Envelope”.
What is the Versailles known for?
Versailles is historically known for numerous treaties such as the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolution, and the Treaty of Versailles, after World War I. Today, the Congress of France – the name given to the body created when both houses of the French Parliament , the National Assembly and the Senate , meet – gathers in the ...
Who had the Palace of Versailles built in France?
Versailles is a Chateau which in French means, castle. It started as a hunting lodge built for King Louis XIII in 1624. Louis XIV (The Sun King) built Versailles to be his home. To Louis XIV, a magnificent palace was a must for royal life.
How many square metres are there in the Palace of Versailles?
Spread over a colossal floor area of about 67, 000 square metres, there are several sections within the palace area, some of which include: Grands Appartements (French) – The royal residences. Gallerie des Glaces (French) – The Hall of Mirrors, an important attraction in the palace. Chapel of Versailles – The chapel is one ...
When was the Palace of Versailles built?
The Palace of Versailles, also known as Chateau de Versailles in French, was originally constructed as a hunting lodge in the year 1624. However, the construction of the four major buildings began only from the year 1664 onwards. Prior to the French Revolution which began in the year 1789, the Palace of Versailles remained the dwelling seat ...
What was the Palace of Versailles before the French Revolution?
Prior to the French Revolution which began in the year 1789, the Palace of Versailles remained the dwelling seat of the political power of France for well over 100 years. Photo Credit: rieh/Flickr. Palace of Versailles is an excellent example of the Baroque style of architecture, which also developed in the 17th century.
What are the rooms in the Palace of Versailles?
Spread over a colossal floor area of about 67, 000 square metres, there are several sections within the palace area, some of which include: 1 Grands Appartements (French) – The royal residences 2 Gallerie des Glaces (French) – The Hall of Mirrors, an important attraction in the palace 3 Chapel of Versailles – The chapel is one of the best places to witness the lushness of French Architecture 4 L’Opera (French) – This is the opera hall of the Palace of Versailles 5 Museum of the history of Versailles – Founded in the 1800s, this museum houses paintings, sculptures and collections which familiarize one with the history and culture of France 6 Gardens of Versailles – Just as famous as the palace itself, these gardens which surround the palace are eminent examples of French formal gardens
What is the best place to visit in France?
That said, a visit to the Palace of Versailles is one of the best places to experience French culture and its rich architecture for anyone visiting France. To know about other architecture wonders around the world, visit PropTiger.com.
What is the best place to see the lushness of French architecture?
Chapel of Versailles – The chapel is one of the best places to witness the lushness of French Architecture. L’Opera (French) – This is the opera hall of the Palace of Versailles. Museum of the history of Versailles – Founded in the 1800s, this museum houses paintings, sculptures and collections which familiarize one with the history and culture ...
Is the Palace of Versailles expensive?
The Palace of Versailles is also one of France’s most expensive monuments, with billions of dollars’ worth of money spent on its construction and restoration from time to time. Photo Credit: Oh Paris/Flickr. That said, a visit to the Palace of Versailles is one of the best places to experience French culture and its rich architecture ...
Why was Versailles a permanent building site?
From the time when Louis XIV established himself at Versailles to Louis-Philippe’s ultimate transformation of the palace into a museum in 1837 , the royal residence was essentially a “permanent building site”. Countless projects, of varying degrees of scale and innovation, were instigated at the behest of the King and the managers of the King’s buildings or devised in the architects’ imagination in order to adapt the palace to new uses, simplify daily life, decorate it in the style of the successive eras, highlight its magnificence or make it more architecturally coherent. Colbert, the superintendent of the King’s buildings, and the Comte d’Angiviller, France’s director-general of buildings, the arts, gardens and manufacturing, both issued calls to architects – in 1669 and 1780, respectively – to put forward ideas. The King’s architects, and Jacques-Ange Gabriel in particular, came up with a steady stream of spectacular plans for extending the palace. However, because of changes in either the monarchs’ tastes, the political circumstances or the kingdom’s finances, not one of these grand transformational projects came to fruition.
What was the royal residence in Versailles?
From the time when Louis XIV established himself at Versailles to Louis-Philippe’s ultimate transformation of the palace into a museum in 1837, the royal residence was essentially a “permanent building site”. Countless projects, of varying degrees of scale and innovation, were instigated at the behest of the King and the managers ...
How to take part in the history of the Palace of Versailles?
Take part in the history of the palace of Versailles by supporting a project that suits you: adopt a linden tree, contribute to the missions of the Palace or participate in the refurnishing of the royal apartments.
When is the Palace of Versailles on show?
The projects will be on show in the Upper Stone Gallery from the 4 th of May to the 3 rd of August 2019.
Who is the curator of the Palace of Versailles?
Élisabeth Maisonnier, curator at the Palace of Versailles and manager of the Graphic Arts Department
How old do you have to be to visit the Palace of Versailles?
Young visitors from 8 to 12 years-old can learn more about the Palace's transformations and the architectural projects requested by Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI. A game booklet is availaible freely at the entrance of the exhibition or by downloading :
Why was the Baroque style important to Louis XIV?
Baroque art was a popular medium of expression that inspired, instructed, and intimidated its audience. The palace’s baroque style was intended to glorify Louis XIV. Louis used Versailles as propaganda for his role as an absolute monarch. Being an absolute monarch meant there was no authority above Louis; he was chosen by God.
What did Louis XIV do?
At the age of twenty-three Louis XIV of France declared his determination to be what he referred to as ‘real king’ – to become the sole and absolute ruler of France. To achieve this he invested himself in establishing a meticulous routine, but never did the king view his duties as a toil as his belief was that it was the primary duty of a royal prince to always present himself as noble and composed. Willing in his search for glorification, Louis spent his lifetime creating a magnificent and grand spectacle at the court of Versailles. The self-proclaimed ‘Roi du Soleil’ believed wholly in the theory of absolute monarchy and consciously spent his years embodying the spirit of the sun, and employing countless displays of spectacle which frequently
Who was the architect of Versailles?
Le Vau was succeeded at Versailles by his assistant, architect François d'Orbay. Work at the palace during the 1670s focused on its interiors, as the palace was then nearing completion, though d'Orbay expanded Le Vau's service wings and connected them to the château, and built a pair of pavilions for government employees in the forecourt. In 1670, d'Orbay was tasked by Louis XIV with designing a city, also called Versailles, to house and service Louis XIV's growing government and court. The granting of land to courtiers for the construction of townhouses that resembled the palace began in 1671. The next year, the Franco-Dutch War began and funding for Versailles was cut until 1674, when Louis XIV had work begun on a grand staircase for the reception of guests that became known as the Ambassadors' Staircase [ fr], and demolished the last of the village of Versailles.
Where is the Palace of Versailles?
The Palace of Versailles ( / vɛərˈsaɪ, vɜːrˈsaɪ / vair-SY, vur-SY; French: Château de Versailles [ʃɑto d (ə) vɛʁsɑj] ( listen)) is a former royal residence located in Versailles, about 12 miles (19 km) west of Paris, France. The palace is owned by the French Republic and has since 1995 been managed, under the direction of the French Ministry of Culture, by the Public Establishment of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles . 15,000,000 people visit the Palace, Park, or Gardens of Versailles every year, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. However, due to the COVID-19 virus, the number of paying visitors to the Chateau dropped by 75 percent from eight million in 2019 to two million in 2020. The drop was particularly sharp among foreign visitors, who account for eighty percent of paying visitors.
How many mirrors are there in Versailles?
It measures 73 meters (240 ft) long, 10.5 meters (34 ft) wide, and 12.3 meters (40 ft) high, and is decorated with 357 mirrors facing 17 windows and reflecting the light provided by them. The Hall occupies the site of a terrace Le Vau built between the king and queen's suites. It was, however, exposed to inclement weather, making it usable only in the summer months, and in 1678 Louis XIV tasked Mansart with demolishing it. In its place, from 1678 to 1681, Mansart built the Hall of Mirrors. The ceiling fresco, painted by Charles Le Brun over the next four years, embellishes the first 18 years of Louis XIV's reign in 30 scenes. The fresco depicts Louis XIV as a Roman emperor, breaking from earlier frescoes at Versailles that used Classical and mythological scenes as allegory rather than palette.
Why was the Palace of Versailles important to Louis XIV?
The Palace of Versailles was key to Louis XIV's politics, as an expression and concentration of French art and culture, and for the centralization of royal power. Louis XIV first used Versailles to promote himself with a series of nighttime festivals in its gardens in 1664, 1668, and 1674, the events of which were disseminated throughout Europe by print and engravings. As early as 1669, but especially from 1678, Louis XIV sought to make Versailles his seat of government, and he expanded the palace so as to fit the court within it. The moving of the court to Versailles did not come until 1682, however, and not officially, as opinion on Versailles was mixed among the nobility of France.
What did Louis XIV want to preserve?
Louis XIV at first desired to preserve his father's château and, over the 1660s, Le Vau only added a forecourt, paved in marble, and two detached service wings. In mid-1669, however, Louis XIV decided to demolish the château and replace it with a palace that could house his household and government. He was dissuaded from this by Colbert, and instead, from 1668 to 1670, Le Vau encased Louis XIII's château on three sides in a feature dubbed the enveloppe. This gave the château a new, Italianate façade overlooking the gardens, but preserved the courtyard façade, resulting in a mix of styles and materials that dismayed Louis XIV and that Colbert described as a "patchwork". Attempts to homogenize the two façades failed, and in 1670 Le Vau died.
What buildings did Mansart build?
Adjacent to the palace, Mansart built a pair of stable buildings called the Grande [ fr] and Petite Écuries [ fr] from 1679 to 1682 and the Grand Commun [ fr], which housed the palace's servants and general kitchens, from 1682 to 1684.
Why did Napoleon Bonaparte abandon Versailles?
When Napoleon Bonaparte became Emperor of the French in 1804, he considered making Versailles his residence but abandoned the idea because of the cost of the renovation. Prior to his marriage with Marie-Louise in 1810, he had the Grand Trianon restored and refurnished as a springtime residence for himself and his family, in the style of furnishing that it is seen today.
Comment est structuré le château de Versailles?
La chapelle du château et le l’ opéra royal achevé après le décès de Louis XIV se trouvent quant à eux dans l’aile nord. Outre ses bâtiments, le château de Versailles est structuré autour de cours intérieures et extérieures. La place d’Armes accueille les visiteurs pour donner tout de suite une impression d’immensité. Il faut imaginer qu’ils devaient du temps des rois traverser cet espace de 300 mètres de long avant d’arriver à la cour d’Honneur délimitée par sa grande grille dorée. Sont ensuite alignées les cours Royale, de Marbre, des Princes (au sud), de la haute Chapelle (au nord).
Pourquoi le château de Versailles est-il un château baroque?
Le genre baroque est caractérisé dans l’architecture, la littérature, et la musique par des extravagances. C’est un véritable mode de pensée de l’époque qui encouragea les artisans à multiplier les éléments de décors telles que les dorures, les arabesques en stucs, les voûtes peintes ou encore l’usage de techniques trompe-l’œil.
Où se trouve la chambre du roi dans un château?
Par ailleurs le château est organisé dans sa structure autour de la figure du roi. Sa chambre est située à l’exact milieu de la bâtisse et tout doit s’agencer autour de lui. Ainsi le premier étage est-il réservé aux grands appartements du roi et de la reine, respectivement côté nord et côté sud.
What is the decor of Versailles?
Versailles decor flaunts light and power. It fills the palace and the space around it with charm and nobility.
When was the Palace of Versailles built?
The Palace of Versailles is an architectural ensemble of different French baroque-style buildings. Its construction dates back to the second half of the 17th century and was completed in several phases. The palace is close to Paris, located in Versailles.
What color is best for a palace?
Wherever it might be, red is a bold color. It’s also wonderful for palaces as it offers an air of elegance. Paired with gold, red becomes a gorgeous choice for interiors.
What was Louis XIV's greatest demand?
One specific demand that Louis XIV made was ample lighting that would shine upon the gold decor and light up every last corner in the palace. Top-quality light fixtures were the solution.
The Exhibition
Audioguide
- Discover the audio tour of the exhibition "Versailles. Dreams of architecture (1660-1815)" on the Palace of Versailles' free app.
Curator
- Élisabeth Maisonnier, curator at the Palace of Versailles and manager of the Graphic Arts Department
Game Booklet
- Young visitors from 8 to 12 years-old can learn more about the Palace's transformations and the architectural projects requested by Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI. A game booklet is availaible freely at the entrance of the exhibition or by downloading : Download the game booklet
Become A Patron
- By becoming a patron of the exhibition you will receive bespoke benefits, as well astax relief on your donation amount. For more information, contact the Patronage Department : Serena Gavazzi 1. Tél : + 33 1 30 83 77 04 2. [email protected]