The palace of the 'Roi Soleil', Louis XIV, is a thing of splendour, majesty and pomp, definitely not to be omitted from your tour of France.
The work at Versailles began when the young king visited Nicholas Fouquet at his chateau, Vaux-Le-Vicomte; Overcome with jealousy, Louis set about the realisation of his own dream. Building commenced in 1661, as Louis consecrated his status of 'absolute' king with a palace that reflected his greatness. He brought together the finest architects, artists and gardeners from across Europe to fabricate this monument 'A tous les Gloires de la France'.
Now this venue has a wonderful history for me, as my grandmother and grandfather met and fell in love while walking around Versailles, (just at the end of the war) and romance is prevalent in the corridors, the appartements and the grounds of the Palace. The 'Grands Appartements' of the king consist of salons dedicated to Roman and Greek gods, (Diane, Mars, Apollo) and a spectacular 'Gallerie des Glaces', (Gallery of Ice). The gallery was used as a passageway between the grands appartements and the chapel; This is where the king met with courtisans and visitors before returning to the mass. The exalted decoration of this room will overawe you; Seventy three metres of gold and marble are reflected by an abundance of mirrors and extra-extravagent chandeliers. (Le Galleries des Glaces, decorated by Le Brun - 1681-1685).
One can not write about Versailles without mentioning the gardens, these are quintessiential; The imposing of order on nature that makes French gardening famed worldwide. These are also dedicated to Greek and Roman gods, and then ordered thematically within each domain: In Venus, north, a 'rond point' of philosophers houses five ancient greek sages - statues of Pittaus, Isocrate, Theophraste, Lysias and Ulysee. Probably the most dramatic attraction of the gardens is the 'Baissin du Neptune', a fountain which faces the chateau and a statue of Apollo, (representative of the sun and Louis himself). The fountain is semi-submerged , with four deranged horses pulling the god of the sea from his murky depths. I have never seen another statue that stirs with life as this one does.
The history of Versailles does not end with Louis XIV, it transcends through the centuries of french monarchs and Emperors, each adding or taking away as tastes dictated. Highlights of these modifications are the appartements of Madame de Pompadour and Madame de Barry. Not to be forgotten, simply because of the folly involved, is 'Le Hameau de la Reine': This is a small village in the grounds that was built for Marie-Antoinette, ("let them eat cake") so that she could play at being a lowly milkmaid. The servants were ordered to satify the Queen's every whim and had to roleplay, baker, fisherman etc. etc. No wonder there was a revolution!
I definitely suggest a guided tour, or at least a guidebook, as you do not want to miss any aspect of this immense splendour.
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Feb 19th, 2001
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