The Grand Palace of Versailles
The Grand Palace Versailles, located just a short train ride south of Paris, is also known as “Chateau Versailles” in French. Versailles is a huge palace that held royalty, government, and the French court from 1661 to 1789. King Louis XIV was so greatly admired by the court that they decided to call him “The Sun God.”
Revolutionists attacked in 1789 and sacked the palace.
Versailles used to be a symbol of royalty and classical French art. The palace holds the Hall of Mirrors, a chapel, the king’s quarters, the queen’s quarters, an opera house, and so very much more.
Mirrors were the height of fashion and still rare at the time. When the Hall of Mirrors was finished, everyone in the court thought it was much more than a miracle and they would think it impossible if they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes. At the end of World War 1, The Germans and their allies came to Versailles and signed the Treaty of Versailles in the Hall of Mirrors. The most popular room of the court was the Hercules room.
Everyone loved the dancing and all sorts of games and activities that took place there. There is also the Apollo room, the coronation room, the throne room, and the grand dining room.
The Magnificent Gardens
The gardens are a whole other story of beautiful with their round crystal lakes, many matching trees, grass with paths that are designed to look fancy, and are symmetrical to the other paths and trees. It looks gorgeous and I cannot wait to go there! It has so many intricately designed paths that lead in twists and bends. There are fountains and even a canal where you can ride in gondolas and boats!
During the French Revolution, Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XIV attempted to escape the revolutionists through the gardens.
The Grand and Petite Trianons
The Grand Trianon was a private residence for King Louis XVI. The palace of Versailles was so crowded because the whole court and the government all lived there!
The Petite Trianon was for Marie-Antoinette. She felt she had to get away from court life so she had her very own estate built for herself.
I personally loved the Hall of Mirrors and the gorgeous Gardens the best. I still remember th and it's been 12 years since I was there. It is impossible to visit Versailles and not feel like royalty. I know you will cherish your time there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karin! We are so excited!
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