Versailles, France, 2004

France, 2004

Le Château de Versailles

The Palace of Versailles was the official residence of the Kings of France from 1682 until 1790. It was originally a hunting lodge, built in 1624, by Louis XIII. It was expanded by Louis XIV beginning in 1669.
No one knows exactly how much it cost to build Versailles because Louis XIV burned the accounts to keep the price a secret. Many kings lived and ruled from here, making the palace rich with history.
Napoleon stayed at Versailles but never seemed fond of it. Louis-Philippe prevented the destruction of the palace by converting it into a museum dedicated to the glory of France.
Construction begun in 1661, the construction of the château involved 32,000 to 45,000 workmen, some of whom had to drain marshes -- often at the cost of their lives -- and move forests. Louis XIV set out to build a palace that would be the envy of all Europe, and he created a symbol of pomp and opulence that was to be copied, yet never quite duplicated, all over Europe and even in America.
The Gardens of Versailles were laid out by the landscape artist Le Nôtre, who created a Garden of Eden using ornamental lakes and canals, geometrically designed flower beds, and avenues bordered with statuary.
On the 1.5km-long (1 mile) Grand Canal, Louis XV -- imagining he was in Venice -- used to take gondola rides with his favorite of the moment. The Fountain of Latona. It tells the story from Metamorphoses of a town that Jupiter turns into amphibians when they refuse to take in Apollo and his mother Latona.
On our trip to Versailles, we planned a picnic at the gardens next to the Gran Canal. The suculent meal consisted of a baguette, sliced ham and cheese wash down with a great bottle of Bordeaux. The Colonnade: Until 1685 the site of the present Colonnade was occupied by Le Notre's Grove of Springs with its narrow twisting paths weaving their way through the wood and crossing several little streams. On June 19, 1684, the Marquis de Dangeau noted in his diary that "the King has ordered a marble colonnade with big fountains for the spot where the Springs used to be". At the centre there now stands a copy of Girardon's Rape of Persephone.
The furniture and the artwork contained in these rooms constitute a treasury.

There are moments that you get overwhelm by the massive palace and its amazing decor.
Huge fireplaces were built in every single room.

Opulence and artwork are everywhere. The ceilings are covered with heavenly scenes from Greek mythology.
The Chapel royal at Versailles is consecrated to Saint Louis. Here is where Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI attended daily mass.

The Queen's chambers.