Palace of Versailles | Versailles

The Palace of Versailles lies just outside of Paris. It’s a 40-minute train ride from the center of Paris which makes it a good 1-day excursion! Here are my must do’s when in the Palace of Versailles.

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History

The Palace of Versailles was originally a hunting lodge built by King Louis XIII. When Louis XIV was sent to the palace to escape the smallpox outbreak, he learned to love the place and decided to expand the hunting lodge into the magnificent palace that it is today!

Versailles was the ultimate symbol of the monarchy from 1682-1789 until the revolution started. During the revolution, the palace was emptied and neglected. Only years later (1833), King Louis-Philippe decided that the palace should be turned into a museum to show the glories of France. Today, the palace is UNESCO world heritage. Worth the visit!

1) Gallery of the History of the Palace

We start our tour with the two-story Royal Chapel. The King and Queen sat on the upper level as did important members of the Court.

If you walk further, you’ll learn more about the history of the palace through videos and paintings.

2) State Apartments

The State Apartments include 7 rooms with names of Roman deities. The rooms were used for receptions for members of the Court during apartment evenings.

Salon of Hercules

This salon houses a painting that was given by the Doge of Venice to Louis XIV. The painting was a gift in order to get support against the Turks.

Salon of Abundance

The Salon of Abundance used to have Louis XIV’s collection of precious jewels and rare objects.

Salon of Venus

This room was used for light meals during the apartment evenings. Make sure to check out the life-size statue of Louis XIV.

Salon of Mercury

The Salon of Mercury was the original bedroom of the King. It was also in this place that the remains of Louis XIV lay before his burial. The painting on the left side of the bed was the favorite painting of Louis XIV.

Salon of Mars

The Salon of Mars was used as the guard room thus decorated in a military theme.

Salon of Apollo

Apollo is the God of the Sun with whom Louis XIV identified himself with. No wonder why this room was the throne room of Louis XIV. The 2.6-meter silver throne is gone now as it was melted to help pay the costs of war.

Salon of Diana

The Salon of Diana was actually the billiard room. Apparently Louis XIV was so good in it, that they changed the name to “The room of Applause”. Make sure to check out the bust of Louis XIV by Lorenzo Benini.

3) The Grand Gallery

The Grand Gallery has 3 rooms dedicated to victories of Louis XIV.

The War Salon

The War Salon celebrates the military victories of Louis XIV against Germany, Spain, and Holland. Make sure to check out the large medallion of Louis XIV.

The Hall of Mirrors

The Hall of Mirrors is a passageway to the Queen’s apartment and the chapel. It was also used as a ballroom and to hold celebrations. This is also the room where the Versailles treaty was signed to end WWI.

Fun Fact: Making mirrors were very expensive and this room is covered in mirrors. No wonder why the people of France were mad at the wealthy living style of the monarchy…

The Peace Salon

This room shows the peace France has given Europe.

4) The King’s Chamber

The bedroom of the King is right in the center of the palace. Whenever he was in that room, there were strict and specific rules to be applied there. It’s also here where the King died.

5) The Queen’s Chamber

This room is where 19 children of french royalty were born and where 4 Queens died.

6) The History Galleries

You’ll end your tour in the History Galleries. We didn’t see this even though we followed the arrows. The galleries have paintings from the Coronation of Napoleon and several victories.

Which room did you like the most?

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