The Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a magnificent 2000-acre former royal estate, located in the small town of Versailles about 30 minutes southwest of Paris. The opulent palace was home to the French royalty and nobility from 1682 until the French Revolution in 1789. The construction of the Palace of Versailles was more than just an act of vanity. It was a wise strategic and political move. In keeping the French nobles at Versailles vying for the King’s attention, King Louis XIV could keep them from plotting against him in their home provinces. In addition, the country air and open spaces were much healthier than the open sewers and crowded living conditions of 18th century Paris. Originally a royal hunting lodge, the palatial Chateau de Versailles that visitors see today was conceived by King Louis XIII. He had plans drawn for its construction, but never broke ground. It was his grandson, King Louis XIV who decided to build the monumental palace in order to consolidate his power. The final Versailles floor plans were completed by architect Louis Le Vau, assisted by decorator Charles Le Brun and landscaper Andre Le Notre. Louis XV and Louis XVI later added the out buildings, including the Grand Trianon, the Petit Trianon, and Marie Antoinette’s ''Petit Hameau'' (Little Hamlet). The Palace of Versailles was expensive to build and even more expensive to maintain. It is estimated that 25 percent of the French Government’s income went to the care and feeding of the royal family, their staff and entourage, and the upkeep of the Chateau and grounds. At this time, the nobility did not pay taxes. These exorbitant costs as well as the royal family’s isolation from the plight of French cities, especially Paris, in no small way led to the French Revolution in 1789. The Palace of Versailles, especially the Hall of Mirrors, has been an important site in history. The 1678 Treaty of Nijmegen was signed there, starting a long tradition. In 1871, the German Empire was proclaimed here after France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War. The 1916 “Treaty of Versailles,” which brought an end to World War I and partitioned much of Europe and the Middle East, was also signed in the Hall of Mirrors. During the French Revolution, the Palace of Versailles, a symbol of all that the citizens of France hated about government, was thoroughly ransacked. Much of the Palace’s extensive art collection and furniture was sold at auction to raise funds for the fledgling republic, although some of the treasures eventually found their way to the Louvre Museum. Whole sections of the Chateau were demolished and the elaborate carved paneling sold. The Chateau sat dormant until 1830 when the "Citizen King," Louis Philippe declared it a museum. Little was done to the Chateau until the 1960s, when Pierre Verlet, a French decorative arts scholar, championed its restoration. Verlet managed to talk private collectors and museums around the world into returning some of the original treasures to Versailles and raised necessary private funds to begin the extensive restoration project. The work is painstaking and slow and continues to this day. Facts About Versailles
Palace of Versailles Gardens The manicured formal gardens at Versailles have been restored to their former glory. The gardens are huge and include an herb garden, a formal rose garden, and a maze, among other features. The Palace of Versailles employs fulltime 48 gardeners and 8 fountain technicians to maintain the estate’s plantings and water features. The Out Buildings In addition to the Palace, Versailles has two significant out buildings: the Petit Trianon and the Grand Trianon. The Petit Trianon was built for Louis XV’s favorite mistress, Madame de Pompadour. She died before the structure was completed in 1768, and the little palace was occupied by her successor, Madame du Barry. It later became a favorite of King Louis XVI’s wife, Marie Antoinette. The larger Grand Trianon was built by King Louis XIV in 1687 as a kind of retreat from the bustle of the main palace. It is a great example of 18th century French Baroque architecture. The buildings were named the Trianon after the French Village of that name that King Louis demolished in order to build his retreat. Chateau de Versailles Visitors Information Versailles is easily accessible from Paris via the RER commuter trains from Montparnasse station. The trains arrive just across from the Palace entrance. Different portions of the Chateau carry separate admission fees. Visitors are best advised to purchase a pass to the King’s Chambers and add on the other portions they wish to visit, such as the Petit and Grand Trianon, Mesdames Apartments, and the Gardens. Alternately, visitors can purchase a one-day pass, which includes all of these areas. The Palace of Versailles has several full-service restaurants, numerous gift shops, ATM machines, lockers, and ample rest rooms. The attraction offers horse-drawn carriage rides and a mini-tram to take visitors from the main palace to the Petit and Grand Trianon. In the evening, the Chateau is illuminated with a spectacular sound and light show. Visitors should expect to spend at least one very full day at Versailles. To avoid the crowds, arrive early, around 8:30 a.m. For More Information Click on Versailles for the Palace of Versailles official website
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