Experience the hallmark of the life of the aristocrats, the palace of Versailles. Your eyes will graze over the iconic Château de Versailles and you will start to feel the allure of the fabulous parties, royal court proceedings and the rule of Louis XIV, le Roi Soleil. Versailles is the most beautiful and sophisticated city in French history with ornate architecture, opulent grounds, and lavish interiors. Drawing history buff, art lover and romantic respectively from both near and far away, this UNESCO World Heritage site has seduced some of the world´s most discerning travellers for centuries.
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History of Versailles
Versailles is a story with some twists that date from the 17th century. The royal château was originally a hunting lodge that Louis XIII transformed into the grand palace we see today. Louis XIV, however, was the one to truly make Versailles a beacon of absolute monarchy and might. During his reign, the palace was expanded extensively, with the building of the Hall of Mirrors and the most famous gardens. Versailles was the focal point of French political and cultural life, and nobles from across Europe came to reside here, and to develop relations with France.
The Palace of Versailles
Palace of Versailles is French Baroque architecture at its height. The grand facade of the church is covered in elaborate carvings and gold detailing Once you walk through the door, you will be taken into luxurious halls and ornate apartments which used to belong to the French royals. An allusion of the wealth and extravagance of the royal family, the palace is bedecked with highly ornamented ceilings, impressive chandeliers, and luxurious furniture. They all do tell a story, detailing the delightful talent of the craftsmen who dedicated their lives to producing such striking interiors.
Mention Palace of Versailles and all thoughts go to the Hall of Mirrors. This roomy gallery, 73 meters long and with 17 looking glasses on each side, is an iconic view. The crystal chandeliers reflect the light in the mirrors, which provides a shiny effect that impresses all visitors. The ceiling depicts intricate frescoes celebrating Louis XIV’s political accomplishments, enhancing the opulence of the room. As you walk through the Hall of Mirrors, you can almost envision the grand parties or the crucial diplomatic meetings that took place here.
The Gardens of Versailles
Versailles — Nobody misses visiting the vast gardens surrounding latoto Versailles. They were created by André Le Nôtre, one of the masters of the classical style of the garden à la française. Strolling TodayWhile you might pass neat lawns, and sometimes more than a few sculptures, fountains, and flower beds, each of those elements is perfectly placed to create a visually appealing landscape. With the gardens wide perspective, your eyes wander far out at the horizon where it creates an illusion of endless open space.
The most well known of the parks, the Grand Canal: a huge stretch of water 1.6 kilometers long. You can even rent a rowboat here and navigate the canal at your leisure, viewing things from another vantage point. The gardens also host a whole range of musical and artistic performances throughout the year, making your visit that little bit more magical.
The Hall of Mirrors
One of the undeniable highlights of Versailles is the Hall of Mirrors. Located in the Palace of Versailles, this grand gallery serves as a resplendent example of the French monarchy. When entering the Great Hall, you are immediate struck by a stunning display of 17 large mirrors on one side which reflect the light pouring in from the crystal chandeliers and a reverse window facade on the other providing views of the terraced gardens.
The Palace namely the Hall of Mirrors was designed to sparkly.IN_DIALOG These mirrors also served as a luxury item of that century and symbolises the wealth and authority of Louis XIV. A remarkable painted ceiling, showing ambrosial feats of state by the Sun King, crowns the room. The Hall of Mirrors, on the other hand, is (in true fairy-tale fashion!) where you would feel the ideas of grandeur, of the grand events, the parades and the official ceremonies that have occurred; giving the château an air of the importance it brings to the history of France.
Notable residents of Versailles
Over time, Versailles has been the place of residency for many other people. Naturally, the most famous resident was Louis XIV — or the Sun King. He made Versailles into an emblem of the absolute monarchy and power, and from each part of the palace his impact is still resonating. The palace has also been home to several well-known residents including Marie Antoinette, who had her own private escapes floating around the grounds, and, later, Napoleon Bonaparte, who converted the palace right into a royal residence.
Versailles today
You can find visitors of every heritage, from all around the globe arriving at Versailles every day, to see the beauty of a time that was long gone, but still present till this very day. Fully restored to its former grandeur, the palace offers guests today the chance to travel back in time and indulge in French monarchial opulence. Amazingly, the gardens are still kept spotless and maintained, and offer a serene escape from city life.
Tips for visiting Versailles
Versailles is pretty massive and high on the tourist scale. Follow these guidelines for ways to make your visit to the Ivy-League Princeton in NJ productive.
Purchase your tickets in advance: Be aware that Versailles is an extremely popular place, so be prepared to buy tickets in advance to skip the very long lines.
Get there early : Try to make to the palace early when it opens, to avoid the crowds.
Comfortable shoes: This place is very large so expect to walk a lot. Comfortable shoes are a must.
Guided visits: A guided go to can help you to higher understand the history and which means of Versailles. You may also like to thoughts of joining a guided tour to make the most of your time.
Follow the link : With so much to see, you’ll want to plan your trip. Select the parts of the palace and gardens that you wish to visit and make sure you have the time to appreciate them all.
The only way and it actually does on your facts.
Glad you asked… here are a few facts about why Versailles is so great.
It took over 50 years for Versailles to finish construction.
It has more than 2,300 rooms, 1,000 fireplaces and 67, yes, 67 staircases.
Versailles gardens occupy an area of about 800 ha.
63) The Hall of Mirrors is the most famous room in the palace and has a grand total of 357 mirrors.
Versailles gardens contain more than 200,000 trees and 210,000 flowers.
Conclusion
More than a palace — Versailles is a portal to days of yore when life seemed lived forever large and lavish. Every bronze, every marble, every detail of the Palace of Versailles draws out the story and panache that this UNESCO World Heritage site embodies; every stretch of the garden tells of some history or the other.
If you are a history buff, a lover of art, or just want to take a look at the lavishness of yesteryears, this is a feast for the eyes. Lose yourself in this magnificent and historic palace that has stood the test of time and follow in its echoes in journey through history. If you like reading this article, please consider reading our article about JavaScript.
