Nothing quite compares to the palace of Versailles.
A stunning example of French Baroque architecture, Versailles is one of the most popular, history-steeped attractions in the Paris environs. You sure want to spend a day exploring this golden palace.
It would be safe to say that the word “gold” beautifully and aptly describes the entire palace at Versailles. Gold is a reference to the reign and the majesty of Louis XIV, known as The Sun King, the longest reigning king in the European history.
King Louis XIV had transformed the hunting lodge into something no one would ever surpass: Versailles.
Built to astound, Versailles is impossible to see in a day, with its vast interiors and enormous gardens. Louis conceived the Versailles Palace, located 13 miles southwest of Paris, which had been the political capital of France from 1682 to 1789 and the opulent home of many French kings. Generations of architects, landscape designers, sculptors and decorators worked on the palace, one of the most magnificent estates in the world. It features 700 rooms, 67 staircases, 2,153 windows, 27 acres of roofing, and 55 fountains.Millions of visitors flock yearly to this palace, attracted by its borderline gaudy, over-the-top decorations. It has been an enormously costly place ever since Louis XIV began its construction during the 1700s, setting the international gold standard for “high maintenance.”
I was so amazed by everything in Versailles. While we walked passed the corridor, I couldn’t help but stood in front of this statue for a long time to adore every stroke of the master craftsmen who created it. And there are hundreds of them…
Chapel of Versailles. This is one of the most impressive sights in Versailles. Every day at 10am, the court would attend the King’s Mass. Because the French Monarchy believed that the King was chosen by God, the paintings and sculptures in the chapel represent the idea that the king was God’s lieutenant here on earth.
Hall of Mirrors, in the 17th century mirrors were among the most expensive items to possess. So it seems natural that the principal features of this hall are the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arched windows overlooking the gardens. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors with a total complement of 357. And when coupled with the gilding, the mirrors look MAGNIFICENT!
The Queen’s bed-chamber. Most recent restoration work involved new wall coverings and the application of fresh guild on hundreds of door and window frames, moldings and ornamental carvings. Nineteen royal births took place here. The bed itself is dwarfed by the size of the room and the height of the ceiling.
Galerie des Batailles. A gallery with 118 paintings to glorify French military history from the Battle of Tolbiac to the Battle of Wagram.
Studying history and visiting museums are among the favourite things I like to do. I sort of regretted that I wore high heeled boots to Versailles, it makes me look like a complete idiot walking on pebble stone outdoor and just when I finished touring the palace, I could hardly feel my feet…
Fortunately, the pictures come out to be nice.
Everything about Palace of Versailles is beyond comprehension. The scope of the creativity, the talent of the artisans, the time and the expense involved boggles the mind.
If you are fascinated by this little peek into the palace of Versailles and would like to see more, you can log on to Chateau Versailles website.
Thank you so much for reading and wishing you a nice weekend ahead.
God bless all of you.