A story of the Chateaux Versailles

The paintings, tapestries , sculptures and furniture of this fabulous castle , have been made by the best Italian and French artists of the time . There were 6000 paintings and 5000 pieces of furniture and decorative objets in the castle.

In 1682, the Château de Versailles became the official residence of the Sun King and his Court, replacing the Louvre and Saint-Germain Castles. He made his whole court move from Paris to Versailles with him in order to keep an eye on members of their members.

Versailles' fabulous gardens and park are almost as spectacular as the castle. Architect Le Nôtre designed fountains, jets, waterfalls, statues, water parterres, formal gardens, Grand Perspective and Grand Canal. The Grand Canal was filled with golden boats and gondolas from Venice during the time Louis XIV lived in the castle.

He filled his palace and gardens with musicians, painters, writers and acrobats.

Louis remained on the throne until his death in September 1715, four days before his seventy-seventh birthday. His reign lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days, the longest documented for any European monarch to date.

The Royal family remained in residence here, constantly building additions and upgrades, until the French Revolution in 1790. The furnishings of the apartments were sold to the highest bidder, the paintings and antiquities were sent to the Louvre and the silver and metal pieces were melted down. The books were sent to the National library. Napoleon, later on renovated the palace but it became a museum and never again served as am royal residence.

When planning to visit the Palace of Versailles, pack a picnic lunch. After touring some of the palace, make your way down to the lagoon area in the Gardens... spread your blanket and enjoy a nice baguette with butter and some fresh fruit and cheese.

From the early childhood Louis XIV , the Sun King lived in Paris and was getting tired of the city life. He commissioned architects Louis le Vau and Jules Hardouin Mansart, to build the château of Versailles in 1668, on the site of his father's (King Louis XIII) small hunting lodge. The terrace that overlooked the gardens was removed to make way for the magnificent Hall of Mirrors, the Galerie de Glaces. Painter, Charles Le Brun, designed the interior, including the Royal Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors (La Galerie des Glaces). At that time, mirrors made in Venice, Italy, were one of the most expensive items you could buy. The Hall of Mirrors, was used by Louis XIV as a council room.