First created 15 Oct 2012. Version 1.0 - 19 Oct 2012. Jerry Tse. London.

Versailles

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The Chateau

Brief History

The palace was built between 1664 and 1710, under the reign of Louis XIV.

In 1682, Versailles became the official court of the French king, the centre of political power. Versailles is not only famous as a palace, but as a symbol of absolute monarchy.

The equestrian statue of Louis XIV, who reigned between 1643 and 1715. He was also known as the Sun King.

Louis XIV

I Royal Chapel1 Hercules Room

Royal Chapel & Hercules Room

Royal Chapel The Baroque chapel was completed in 1708. It took 19 years to build.

Royal Chapel Ceiling was painted by Antoine Coypel. The Royal Chapel was the last major building completed under Louis XIV.

Hercules Salon The room is an anteroom to the State Apartments.

Hercules Salon Painting on the wall by the Italian Veronese – Meal at the House of Simon the Pharisee.

2 Abundance Salon3 Venus Salon4 Diana Salon5 Mars Salon6 Mercury Salon7 Apollo Salon

State Apartments These prestigious set of rooms were designed for the king to carry out his official businesses.

Decoration Since 2003 the palace has been undergoing a 20 years restoration. Now some decorations are painted in gold.

Abundance Salon A room for refreshments, like coffee, wines and liqueurs were taken.

Venus Salon A room used for official business, it next to the “Ambassadors staircase”.

Venus Salon

Louis XIV in Roman armour.

A ceiling painting of Venus.

Diana Salon Use for official business, it is also next to the “Ambassadors staircase”.

Diana Salon

Painting by de Lafosse, showing Diana coming to the rescue Iphigenia, above the fireplace.

Diana Salon Ceiling painted by Blanchard, Diana “forgetting her pride and her resolution never to love anyone”.

Mars Salon Originally designed as a guard room, it was used for music and dancing on state evenings.

Mars Salon

Painting by Dominichino, David playing the Harp. It was Louis XIV favourite painting.

Mars Salon Ceiling painted by Claude Audran, Mars on a Chariot Drawn by Wolves.

Mercury Salon Originally, the room was the ceremonial bedchamber of the State Apartments.

Mercury Salon Clock made by Antoine Morand in 1706 for Louis XIV.

Apollo Salon

Portrait of Louis XIV at 63 by Hyacinthe Rigaud, French, over the fireplace.

The room was dedicated to Apollo, whom Louis XIV identified himself with. The original silver furniture in the room was melted in 1689.

Hall of Mirrors and King’s Apartments

8 Salon of War9 Hall of Mirrors10 Salon of Peace

19 Oeil de Boeuf Antechamber20 King’s Bedchamber21 The Council Carbinet

The Hall of Mirrors together with the two salons on either sides are the centrepieces of the palace. The king’s private apartments are situated along the central axis of the palace.

Salon of War

Louis XIV on horseback trampling upon his enemies in relief.

The room commemorates the military conquests of the Dutch War.

Salon of War

The cove painting depicts the defeat of the Dutch. Hanging from the ceiling is a piece of modern art on exhibition.

The Hall of Mirrors and its salons are behind the first floor façade.

Central Garden Facade

Hall of Mirrors With its salons, the hall is over 80m long, 10m wide and 13m high. The hall in evening lights. (Credit : Le Figaro)

Hall of Mirrors One of the several classical statues in niches.

Hall of Mirrors Ceiling paintings in the hall.

Hall of Mirrors Stucco work in the hall.

Hall of Mirrors Under a chandelier.

Hall of Mirrors Carvings on the lamppost.

Hall of Mirrors Chandeliers in the hall.

Hall of Mirrors Lampposts.

Hall of Mirrors It was in this hall, the Treaty of Versailles was signed, ending the World War I.

Salon of Peace

The ceiling was painted by Le Brun, depicting France offering peace to Europe. The cove panels depict Spain, German and Holland at peace. The painting above the fireplace shows Louis XV giving peace to Europe.

Salon of Peace Gilded and chiselled bronze trophies decoration on the Salon of Peace.

Oeil de Boeuf Antechamber

This ‘Bulls Eye Salon’ was the room for waiting courtiers to be admitted to the king’s bedroom.

Behind the first floor façade are the king’s private apartments.Inner Court Facade

King’s Bedchamber

The king’s bedroom in evening light. (credit Le Figaro).

Louis XIV imposed daily rituals for all of his activities. This began with the rising ceremony. It was viewed as a very important moment and the king liked his court to be present in numbers; regular attendance was one of the main criteria for obtaining royal favour.

King’s Bedchamber The gold thread fabrics of the king’s bed.

The Council Cabinet It was in this room the king held his daily councils, including the Council of State and the Finance Council.

11 Queen’s Bedchamber12 Peers Salon13 Antechamber for Grand

Couvert repasts14 Queen’s Guard Room

Queen’s Apartments

Queen’s Bedchamber The Fireplace of the queen’s bedroom.

Queen’s Bedchamber In this room Queen Maria Theresa gave royal birth in public.

Queen’s Bedchamber The head board of the queen’s bed. The fabrics were woven in Lyon.

Queen’s Bedchamber Under the gilded sky are paintings, the Queen’s Virtues, by Francois Boucher.

Antechamber for Grand Couvert RepastsThe queen’s meals were taken here in public. Silverware for King George III are on display.

Queen’s Guard Room This was the room for the queen’s twelve body guards.

38 Battle Gallery

The Battle Gallery The gallery holds a collection of paintings on French battles, created by Louis Philippe.

Battle Gallery

The gallery of 19th Century paintings of French battles, created by Louis Philippe.

Opera Royal The Opera Royal was built hastily to celebrate the marriage of the future Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

The forecourt at night. (credit : Le Figaro).Forecourt

All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal use.

The End

Music – Zadok the Priest – Coronation Anthems by George Frederic Handel composed in 1727.

Sun King at the gate