Paris 3

Our trip out to Versailles involved taking the metro and a train. It's a 50 minute train trip. We opted for joining a small guided tour of the essential parts of the Palace. There are additional tours you can take. You could probably spend several days here taking lots of separate tours.

We met our group at this statue of Louis XIV.

When B and I visited in 2012 we'd been warned about the enormous crowds but we lucked out and the crowds were small. On this visit, it was early when our tour began so the crowds weren't an issue. Later in the tour there were many more people but it still wasn't too crowded. Many people have told us that when they visited Versailles they endured a sea of wall to wall people.

 

A little history: Versailles began its life as a hunting pavilion built by Louis XIII in 1629. Then it became a stone chateau when it was transformed and extended by Louis XIV over 50 years. In 1789, the French revolution forced Louis XVI to leave Versailles for Paris and it was never again a royal residence. In 1837, under King Louis Phillipe, it became the Museum of History in France and housed new collections of paintings and sculptures. In the early 20th century, Versailles was restored to the appearance it had when it was a royal residence.  It now includes 2300 rooms and is 63,154 sq meters.

The Royal Chapel

This was the last building built by Louis XIV.

Disclaimer: I have tried my best to put the portraits, statues, ceiling murals, etc., in the correct rooms, but if I have mistakes, sorry about that! Each and every wall, ceiling and room was incredibly ornate. Many were amazing and beautiful- especially the ceiling murals. 

The rooms we visited were basically 3 long hallways in the shape of a U.  At the bottom of the U is the famous Hall of Mirrors. 

Hercules Salon

Rebecca at the Well, 16th century, marble walls.

The Apotheosis of Hercules. It took three years to paint (1733-1736). The most epic of all ceiling murals at Versailles.

Venus Salon

This room is the main entrance to the King's state apartment and functioned as a sort of lobby.

The ornateness (is that a word?) of everything is mind boggling.

This is a statue of Louis VIX in antique attire.

Diana Salon

This room also served as a lobby during the reign of Louis XIV. Ceiling depicts Diana and hunting scenes.

Mars Salon

In Louis XIV's time, the Mars Room marked the actual start of the King's apartment. It served as a guard room. The room's military function is underlined by the portrayal of Mars, the Roman god of war.

The center panel illustrates Mars on a chariot pulled by wolves.

Just one of many, many chandeliers. Our guide pointed out that the next largest budget item after food was candles. The guide also mentioned that they would often have to stop functions, plays, etc., to replace all of the candles. Maybe that's the origin of intermissions.

Mercury Salon

The Mercury Room functioned as a state room, because Louis XIV actually slept in his private apartments. That being said, up to 1701, the room hosted the King's getting-up and going-to-bed ceremonies, which were observed by the public.

Apollo Salon

The Apollo room, dedicated to the Roman god of the sun, with whom Louis XIV identified, served as a throne room. Here is where the king would hold his regular audiences. During evening gatherings at the apartment, the room became a ballroom. Portrait of Louis XVI. The original was a gift to his nephew or grandson, but he liked it so much he had a couple of copies made. This one is actually a copy. The original hangs in the Louvre. 

War Salon

The War Room depicts Louis XIV as a victorious king. It is immediately adjacent to the Hall of Mirrors and is a counterpart to the Peace Room, situated at the opposite end of the former.

Hall of Mirrors

The Hall of Mirrors replaced a large terrace overlooking the garden in 1679 when it was considered too exposed to inclement weather. Its seventeen arches decorated with mirrors face seventeen arched windows, creating a commingling of the interior and exterior. The Hall of Mirrors was a place for both social events and demonstrating the political might of Louis XIV. Most of the mirrors are original. The ceiling was painted between 1681 and 1684.

Council Chamber

Here is where the major political decisions were made. The king would meet here with his ministers. It is also where he received certain audiences. The room's décor dates from Louis XV's time. We were told Benjamin Franklin spent time here.

The King's South Chamber

King Louis XIV died here in 1715. This was also where the court members and visitors were invited to watch as the King got up in the morning and went to bed at night.

Queen's Chamber

Coronation Chamber

This painting depicts Napolean placing a crown onto the head of Emporess Josephine.

Another portrait, this one of Marie Antoinette.

Two outdoor shots at Versailles. We had gorgeous weather, though it was a bit chilly first thing in the morning.

We also visited Grand Trianon.

As Versailles got "too crowded" with people, Louis XIV built a succession of smaller palaces with less folks around. This is the corner of the room known as the Bedroom of the Queen of the Belgians.

Trianon had its own hall of mirrors. 

The Trianon gardens.