Palace of Versailles

Versailles, France

The Palace of Versailles was the principal royal residence of France from 1682, under Louis XIV, until the start of the French Revolution in 1789, under Louis XVI. It is the biggest, and considered by many to be the most beautiful, palace ever built.  Louis XIV gathered around him the most important figures of the kingdom. Princes, courtiers and ministers lived in Versailles with him. The Palace of Versailles was a symbol of the total Monarchy system. In 1837, after the French Revolution, Versailles became a museum.

Every year, several millions of visitors walk through the Gate of Honour, main and unmissable entrance to the Palace of Versailles.

The Hall of Mirrors

The principal feature of this hall is the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the gardens. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors with a total complement of 357 used. The hall is decorated with marble. The walls and cornices are decorated with gilded bronze trophies.During the 17th century, the Hall of Mirrors was used by Louis XIV when he walked from his private apartment to the chapel. At this time, courtiers assembled to watch the king and members of the royal family pass. The ceiling depicts the War with Holland (1672-1678). The Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors, and the hall still serves for state occasions such as receptions for visiting heads of state.

Marble Bust of Louis XIV by Bernini

The Gardens of Versailles

We had taken a day trip from Paris to tour the Palace of Versailles. We had some trouble getting to and from Versailles because of train strikes (and our unfamiliarity with them) but the inconvenience and extra walking just made the day more memorable, and we had more time while walking and waiting for trains back to Paris, to reminiscence about the extravagance of the Palace of Versailles!