which room was the highlight of the palace of versailles

What is the most famous room in the Versailles Palace?

The Hall of Mirrors, the most famous room in the Versailles Palace, was built as an afterthought. It replaced a large terrace and a few rooms from both the King’s and the Queen’s apartments. Nobody goes inside the Palace of Versailles and walks out without seeing the Hall of Mirrors. It is perhaps the most beautiful room in the whole world.

What to expect inside the palace of Versailles?

Here is a list of what to expect inside the Palace of Versailles – 1. Hall of Mirrors. The Hall of Mirrors, the most famous room in the Versailles Palace, was built as an afterthought.

What is the Hall of mirrors in the palace of Versailles?

The Hall of Mirrors is a long gallery at the westernmost part of the palace that looks out onto the gardens. The hall was built from 1678 to 1681 on the site of a terrace Le Vau built between the king and queen's suites.

What style of architecture is the palace of Versailles?

The chapel is rectangular with a semicircular apse, combining traditional, Gothic royal French church architecture with the French Baroque style of Versailles. The ceiling of the chapel is constituted by an unbroken vault, divided into three frescos by Antoine Coypel, Charles de La Fosse, and Jean Jouvenet.

What room was the highlight of Versailles?

The Hall of Mirrors The Hall of Mirrors, the Peace Room and the War Room. The Hall of Mirrors, the most famous room in the Palace, was built to replace a large terrace designed by the architect Louis Le Vau, which opened onto the garden.

What are the rooms in Versailles?

The Hall of Mirrors.The King's State Apartment.The Royal Chapel.The Royal Opera.Marie-Antoinette's private chambers.The King's Apartment.The King's Private Apartments.The Queen's Apartments.More items...

What is the largest room in the Palace of Versailles?

The Gallery of Great BattlesThe Gallery of Great Battles is the largest room in the Palace (120 metres long and 13 metres wide). It covers almost the entire first floor of the South Wing. It was designed in 1833 and construction started the same year.

What is the most famous room in the world that Louis XIV 14th in a Palace that was initially a hunting lodge?

Its most famous room is the Galerie des Batailles (Hall of Battles), which lies on most of the length of the second floor of the south wing. The museum project largely came to a halt when Louis Philippe was overthrown in 1848, though the paintings of French heroes and great battles still remain in the south wing.

What is a king's bedroom called?

The bedchamber is the central room of the king's apartment. To get there, visitors cross through the bull's eye antechamber, which served as a vestibule during lever and coucher ceremonies.

How many rooms are in Versailles?

2,300Palace of Versailles / Number of rooms

What is Versailles famous for?

Versailles, just outside Paris, is a majestic French city with deep royal roots, renowned internationally for its palace and gardens. The journey from the French capital can be made in under an hour – and to discover a rich history and some of the country's most spectacular architecture, it's well worth the trip.

How much is Versailles worth?

Land is $5,000 per square meter in Versailles, so the land alone is $40.7 billion. The building itself and contents are likely to worth another $10 billion, so the Palace of Versailles could in all likelihood be valued at $50.7 billion.

What painting did the king have hanging in his own room?

On either side are two paintings that Louis XIV was particularly fond of, and which he hung in his bedroom: David playing the harp by Domenico Zampieri, and Saint John on Patmos, attributed at the time to Raphael.

What did Versailles smell like?

Built on swampland, Versailles was described by a visitor in 1764 as an odiferous cesspool of dead cats, urine, excrement, slaughtered pigs, standing water, and mosquitoes. Although this description is doubtless an exaggeration, it is no surprise that the 18th century marked a turning point for perfumery.

Does the Palace of Versailles still smell?

1:4911:10What Hygiene Was Like at The Court of Versailles - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo when he got sweaty. He like your old college roommate would simply change his shirt louie and hisMoreSo when he got sweaty. He like your old college roommate would simply change his shirt louie and his courtiers. Changed shirts multiple times per day a move that signaled both their money. And status.

What are 3 facts about Palace of Versailles?

Facts About the Palace of VersaillesIn French, it's known as Château de Versailles.The Hall of Mirrors within the palace has a total of 357 mirrors.Everything used to construct and decorate the Palace was created in France.At the time of the palace's construction, Venice had a monopoly on making mirrors.More items...•

Can you sleep in the Palace of Versailles?

You can even stay at the Palace of Versailles when you book a room or suite in the magnificent 5-star Airelles Château de Versailles Le Grand Contrôle luxury resort located in a fully renovated historic building on the Estate's grounds.

How much does it cost to rent a room in Versailles?

You Can Now Spend the Night Inside the Palace Versailles For a Kingly $2,000 a Night. The historic site is now a hotel. Photo courtesy of Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle.

Is Versailles bigger than Buckingham Palace?

Buckingham Palace is bigger, boasting 77,000m². Versailles has just over 63,000m², however the domain of Versailles extends far beyond the palace walls.

Were there bathrooms in Versailles?

In the Palace, there are toilets and changing tables before the ticket checks in the South Ministers' Wing and after the ticket checks in the basement of the Dufour Pavilion (Entrance A). Other toilets are located in the basement of the Gabriel Pavilion (Entrance B) and at the end of the History Gallery.

Why is the Palace of Versailles a reflection of the past?

The Palace, as it stands today, is only a reflection of the past because much of the original furnishings were burgled and destroyed during the French Revolution. However, modern restoration works have been able to reinstate its past glory to a certain extent.

What is the secret room in Versailles?

Inside the Palace of Versailles Secret Rooms. Versailles is a place steeped in history. A tour of this beautiful place takes you back in time to the former excesses of the French monarchy. The Palace of Versailles, which is the most prominent landmark here, was originally a simple hunting lodge way back in the beginning of 17th century.

How many acres are there in Versailles?

Spread out on 1,800 acres of well maintained gardens and lawns, the Palace is a pleasure to explore.

Where to visit the secret rooms of the French monarchs?

If you would like to explore the dazzlingly ornate private side of the French monarchs check out the City Wonders Versailles Secret Rooms Tour.

Where is Louis XV's desk?

Louis XV's desk in the Palace of Versailles.

What is the most famous landmark in the world?

A tour of this beautiful place takes you back in time to the former excesses of the French monarchy. The Palace of Versailles, which is the most prominent landmark here, was originally a simple hunting lodge way back in the beginning of 17th century. Over time, the structure was renovated and expanded to create one of the grandest palaces in the world. It was a major power center of the French royal family until 1789, when the French Revolution broke out, and the Versailles secret rooms are its hidden core.

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.

What is the 1792 room?

A transition room. As the only remnant of the rooms that Louis-Philippe devoted to the French Revolution, the 1792 Room offers the keys to understanding the king’s political and historic project. It marks both the end of a world – the French monarchy fell on 10 August 1792 – and the beginning of a new era full of hopes as well as worries.

What is the main theme of the painting "The National Guard of Paris Leaves to Join the Army"?

The main paintings evoke the call to arms to defend “the imperilled nation” - The National Guard of Paris Leaves to Join the Army in September 1792 by Léon Cogniet – and some of the most emblematic battles of the Revolution – The Battle of Valmy, 20 September 1792, by Mauzaisse after Horace Vernet, and The Battle of Jemmapes, 6 November 1792, by Henry Scheffer after after Horace Vernet - and the many military commanders who led France to victory.

Can you use the Palace app without internet?

The app includes the audioguide tour of the Palace and an interactive map of the Estate. It can be used without an Internet connection.

What is the most famous room in Versailles?

The Hall of Mirrors, the most famous room in the Versailles Palace, was built as an afterthought. It replaced a large terrace and a few rooms from both the King’s and the Queen’s apartments. Nobody goes inside the Palace of Versailles and walks out without seeing the Hall of Mirrors.

What to expect at the Palace of Versailles?

Inside the Palace of Versailles – what to expect on a tour. Uplabdhi Kamboj. in Paris. Image: Alexandre Brondino. The Palace of Versailles was one of the world’s largest royal residences till the French Revolution in 1789 forced Louis XVI to head for Paris. At its peak, around 10,000 Royals, aristocrats, and servants lived in ...

How far is the Palace of Versailles from Paris?

It consists of two small palaces – Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, Queen’s Hamlet, and many ornamental gardens. Since the attraction is 20 Kms (12 Miles) outside Paris, most visitors book bus or train tours to reach Palace of Versailles. Back to Top.

Why did Louis XIV melt down the rooms in Versailles?

The interiors of this room in the Palace of Versailles were highly decorated, but Louis XIV had to melt them down to finance the War of the League of Augsburg.

What is the estate of Trianon?

The Estate of Trianon was an intimate space built by the Kings to escape from the palace’s courtly etiquette. It consists of two small palaces – Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, Queen’s Hamlet, and many ornamental gardens.

How long does it take to visit the Palace of Versailles?

What to see in Palace of Versailles. There is a lot to see inside the Palace of Versailles. Most of the visitors spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the interiors of the extravagant French Palace. If you don’t plan to book a guided tour of Versailles, remember to pick up the free audio guide at the entrance.

How many rooms did the French King have?

This group of seven rooms was used to host the French King’s official ceremonies.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why was the Palace of Versailles melted down?

Some of the palace furniture at this time was constructed of solid silver, but in 1689 much of it was melted down to pay for the cost of war.

How many rooms were there in the Palace of Versailles?

The palace with more than 2,000 rooms featured elaborate gardens, fountains, a private zoo, roman-style baths and even 18th-century elevators. In the early morning of October 6, 1789, hundreds of starving, defiant women and men (some disguised as women) from Paris stormed the palace of Versailles, the legendarily extravagant seat ...

What was Versailles like before the French Revolution?

Versailles was seen as a glorious symbol of the absolute monarch, of France’s divinely ordained royal family, and of the state itself. But well before the French Revolution, some were warning that the grandeur and excesses of Versailles were in fact terrible for public relations. “A generation earlier,” writes Tony Spawforth in Versailles: Biography of a Palace, “the Marquis d’Argenson thought that the palace had signaled the arrival on French soil of ‘oriental regal extravagance.'"

Why was Versailles important to the 1780s?

In the 1780s, as the economy went into a tailspin, Versailles became the symbol of the crown’s lack of concern about its subjects. Protests became frequent and pamphlets depicting the debauched gambling, sexual liaisons and wanton spending of the royal family at Versailles appeared across the country. As 2000 starving workers protested outside Versailles in 1786, it was said courtiers enjoyed a sumptuous ball, dancing with the “greatest gayety.”

What did the citizens of France see in Versailles?

Into the vacated palace the citizens of France swarmed, finally able to see the excessive luxuries of Versailles for themselves. They walked through the echoing Hall of Mirrors, never again to be graced by the King’s ponderous footsteps or the Queen’s soft patter.

How long is the Hall of Mirrors?

As Francis Loring Payne describes the 240-foot-long hall in The Story of Versailles: “Seventeen lofty windows are matched by as many Venetian framed mirrors. Between each window and each mirror are pilasters designed by Coyzevox, Tubi and Caffieri—reigning masters of their time…Walls are of marble embellished with bronze-gilt trophies; large niches contain statues in the antique style.”

What was the most popular pastime during the reign of all three kings to rule over Versailles?

Gambling was also a favorite pastime during the reign of all three kings to rule over Versailles. According to Payne, “Sometimes the losses of the players at the tables were enormous; again, nobles counted their gains by the hundred thousands.”.

What did the mob do in the palace?

They tore through the gilded halls , beating and beheading palace guards, displaying one grisly head on a pike. The mob headed through the marbled corridors adorned with art celebrating the Bourbon dynasty, towards the private apartment of the half-dressed Queen Marie Antoinette, as a bloodied guard ran ahead to warn the monarch ...

What is the most impressive room in the Palace of Versailles?

Hall of Mirrors. This is the most impressive room inside the Palace of Versailles, a 73-meter gallery with a beautiful vaulted ceiling and impressive chandeliers. The King used this gallery to go to the Royal Chapel and the Queen’s apartments every day.

What is the name of the room inside the Palace of Versailles?

The Bull’s Eye Room. This small anti-chamber takes its name from the bull’s eye windows that you can see integrated into the ceiling frieze. The Bull’s Eye Room is far from being the most impressive room inside the Palace of Versailles.

What is the most popular day trip to Paris?

The Palace of Versailles in a Nutshell. Versailles is one of the most popular day trips from Paris. Check out the list of best day trips from Paris. Château de Versailles, or Palace of Versailles, was home to three French Kings and their courts. King Louis XIV and his wife Queen Maria Theresa of Spain.

What was the city of Versailles that the Sun King and his successors turned into a seat of power?

King Louis XIV moved to Versailles in 1682. The young King was wary of Paris, a city that he saw revolt in 1648. The city was seen as a dangerous concentration of epidemics, fires, floods, congestion, and disorders of all kinds. The Sun King and his successors turned Versailles , a modest hunting lodge, into a seat of power.

Where is the Palace of Versailles?

The Palace of Versailles is one of the most beautiful castles in France and a jewel of the French Baroque architecture. Château de Versailles is one of the must-see castles near Paris, located at only 21 km of the French capital. Château de Versailles’ beauty and fame make it one of the most popular day trips from Paris, ...

How old do you have to be to wear a mask at Versailles?

The use of a mask inside Versailles Palace is compulsory for all visitors older than 11 years. If you visit the Palace of Versailles with children or other people eligible for free admission, you need to book tickets also for them. This is to limit the number of visitors inside Versailles Palace.

How long does it take to visit Versailles?

The Palace of Versailles is one of the top sights to visit near Paris. We recommend visiting Versailles Palace in the following Paris itineraries: Paris in 4 days. Paris in 5 days.

How many rooms does the Château de Versailles have?

However, the party ended with the French Revolution. Today, the 2,300-room Château de Versailles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers a window into the opulent lifestyle of France's Ancien Régime.

What was the setting of Versailles?

The idyllic natural setting of Versailles provided a beautiful backdrop for the château but it also served another purpose. The government administration and Court of nobles were obliged to relocate from Paris. When courtiers arrived in Versailles, they were on Louis XIV's turf, and the palace's grandiosity reminded them of the king's glory.

What was Louis XIV's palace called?

In an age of absolute monarchy, the Château de Versailles was designed to dazzle. This awe-inspiring palace became Louis XIV's showpiece, his symbol of power. After all, he was the "Sun King" around whom the world revolved. His reign would become known as Le Grand Siècle (The Great Century).

How long did Louis XIV spend in Versailles?

Louis XIV spent over 50 years reconstructing, expanding, and embellishing the country estate that he inherited from his father, Louis XIII. The original small château (a former hunting lodge) at Versailles was eventually transformed into Europe's most magnificent palace. Château de Versailles.

What was the name of the palace that Louis XIV built?

Château de Versailles. To realize the vision of Louis XIV, architect Louis Le Vau created a refined neoclassical palace, while Jules Hardouin-Mansart later added the sumptuous Galerie des Glaces..The château exemplifies French Classicism and set the standard for royal courts in the 17th century.

How to get to Versailles from Paris?

You can reach Versailles from Paris by a combination of Métro and train, but a more convenient way is to join a full-day tour to Versailles from Paris that includes direct transportation by bus or minivan. Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. 1.

Where is Queen's Hamlet?

Constructed between 1783 and 1786, the Queen's Hamlet is nestled on the edge of the Château de Versailles parkland. This enchanting model village includes buildings resembling a Normandy farmhouse and thatched-roof cottages, all surrounding a tranquil lake. Behind the faux rustic facades are luxurious interiors.

A Transition Room

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The Revolution

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The July Monarchy

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