What does the Hall of Mirrors represent?
More than a residence for the king of France, the Palace of Versailles was above all a way to demonstrate the power and authority of Louis XIV and his successors. The Hall of Mirrors, formerly known as the Grande Galerie, represents the height of that policy of prestige, impressing all visitors with its pomp.
What is the most spectacular room in the palace and what is inside it?
King Louis XIV made everything he did into a ceremony, including waking up in the morning. The Palace of Versailles contains a room called the Hall of Mirrors. The room is one of the most spectacular in the palace and was originally lit with candles (3000).
Is the Palace of Versailles Baroque?
The Palace of Versailles was executed in the French Baroque style , characterized by its large curved forms , twisted columns , high domes , and complicated shapes. Notable features of the palace include the Hall of Mirrors and the Grande Canal.
What features of the Palace of Versailles do you think are the most spectacular and why?
Explanation: The architecture on the exterior of Versailles is breathtaking. Immediately, you feel almost inadequate to step inside. The Hall of Mirrors is probably the most amazing part of the building, because not only do you have the mirrors and chandeliers, but the ceilings are beautifully painted as well.
What made the Palace of Versailles unique at its time?
From hunting lodge to palace. France’s kings were first attracted to Versailles because of the area’s prolific game. Louis XIII, who lived 1601-1643, bought up land, built a chateau and went on hunting trips. At the time, much of the land around Versailles was uncultivated, allowing wild animals to flourish.5
What is so special about the Palace of Versailles?
The construction of the palace was a representation of his great wealth and power. Versailles resisted until the French Revolution (1789 – 1799), being not only famous for its strategic place but also as a symbol of the absolute Monarchy system.22
Are Versailles Gates real gold?
The golden gate of the Palace of Versailles has been replaced in 2008. These gates were destroyed by the common people during the French revolution. Replicas of the 80-metre steel gate decorated with 100,000 gold leaves were made with help of private donors contributed 5 million euros (8 million dollars).
How much does it cost to visit the Palace of Versailles?
The ticket price is 40€ (basic) or 49€ (including one day of Musical Gardens or Musical Fountains, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in high season). The ticket includes access to: The Palace (free audio guide) The Estate of Trianon.11
How true is Versailles?
In the case of Versailles, it’s a series grounded in broader historical truths, but one in which chronology has been manipulated and key characters invented so as to produce a stronger narrative. When events are debated by historians, it understandably dramatises the raciest interpretation of those contested events.
Does Versailles have bathrooms?
The legendary Palace of Versailles began as a hunting lodge in 1624. After more than a century and a half of building, which included some of the most impressive construction campaigns in the world’s history, toilets were added in the 18th Century. That’s not toilets for the masses, servants or even guests.
What drugs were used at Versailles?
Tobacco, herbs and possibly opium in lauanum – snuff and coffee, though coffee was very expensive. Coca leaves didn’t travel well and were not used.
What is the most famous room in the palace of Versailles?
The Hall of Mirrors
What is Versailles used for now?
The palace is now a historical monument and UNESCO World Heritage site, notable especially for the ceremonial Hall of Mirrors, the jewel-like Royal Opera, and the royal apartments; for the more intimate royal residences, the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon located within the park; the small rustic Hameau (Hamlet) …
How dirty was Versailles?
Versailles had a bit of a natural odour issue caused by the very land it was built on. The former march land had quite the foul smell at some spots, especially during the summer, which mingled with the scents of sweat given off by the courtiers and their garments.
Who is the father of the black baby in Versailles?
Nabo (died 1667) was the African court dwarf at the court of King Louis XIV of France. He was a favorite of Queen Maria Theresa of Spain, Louis’ wife, who enjoyed his company and played peek-a-boo with him. In 1667, he had an affair with Maria Theresa, resulting in the birth of a black baby.
What did they eat at Versailles?
A typical meal consisted of a whopping 20 and 30 dishes. The first course was hors d’oeuvres such as pheasant, shellfish, soup, and Pâté. Fruit was served in the shape of large pyramids. Other dishes included roasts and pies of chicken, turkey, duck, boar, venison, and beef.1
What was sanitation like inside Versailles?
King Louis took baths which were portable most of the time. However, King Louis’ subjects living in Versailles didn’t have their own baths, that’s why their personal hygiene was mostly about so-called “dry cleaning”. They simply wiped themselves with a cloth — usually dry and sometimes soaked with something sour.
What did the nobles do at Versailles?
Attending the daily ceremonies and becoming close to the king were of the utmost importance to the nobles. They did everything in their power to raise their standing so that they could be invited to the most intimate ceremonies and be granted the opportunity to connect with the king and ask for support and favours.22
Where did they poop in Versailles?
Anthony Spaworth’s Versailles: A Biography of a Palace informs us, “In the eighteenth century there were public latrines placed in the corridors and stairwells of the palace [of Versailles], the Grand Commons, and the other annexes: these latrines consisted of a room with a wooden seat, or lunette, closed by a cover in …21
Can you stay at Versailles Palace?
You can soon book a hotel stay fit for royalty at the Château de Versailles. Live out your Marie Antoinette dreams with an overnight stay at a collection of luxury rooms and suites that are slated to open in the ornate 17th-century palace this spring.9
Is Versailles worth seeing?
Definitely! While it will require some planning, it is definitely worth a visit. You’ll learn a lot about French history and see one of the most incredible buildings in the world. No visit to Paris would be complete without seeing the Palace of Versailles with your own eyes!
Which is bigger the Louvre or Versailles?
The largest of all European palaces is still the Louvre, much older than Versailles (the first fortress dates back to the 12th century), but extended to surpass Versailles under Napoleon I and Napoleon III. It now has a total floor area of 210,000 m2.19
How far out of Paris is Versailles?
about 9 miles
How much is an uber from Paris to Versailles?
According to Uber’s estimates, a one way trip from Paris to Versailles will cost between 30-40€.18
What is the best day of the week to visit Versailles?
Thursday
Is Versailles a day trip from Paris?
One of the best day trips from Paris is the Palace of Versailles. It’s home to stories of Marie-Antoinette and other royals who were part of the French Revolution. Even though you’ve come all this way for the City of Light, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed making a little time for this impressive palace.18
What is the best way to get from Paris to Versailles?
From Paris to Versailles by Train The easiest option is the RER (Line C) train, which departs from Métro stations in the center of Paris and arrives at the Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, which is the closest train station in Versailles to the Château de Versailles. The train ride takes around one hour.23
How much is a train ticket from Paris to Versailles?
To take a RER C train from Paris to Versailles you’ll need to buy a Paris – Versailles Rive Gauche RER train ticket, like the one shown below, that costs 3.65€ as of June 1, 2019 (or a Zone 4 pass, more on that later).1
How long do you need to see Versailles?
“Plan on two to three hours for the château, one hour for the gardens, and another two hours if you want to include the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette in your visit. Add two hours to cover your round-trip transit time, and it’s a five- to ten-hour day trip from Paris.”