Palace of Versailles in France – history, photo, description, opening hours, prices 2021, map
Tourists of all countries strive to see the symbol of the monarchy of France, left as a legacy to the descendants of Louis XIV, called the “king – the sun” of the ancient country. His character traits made it possible to create a special royal world, living according to certain laws among extraordinary luxury and beauty. In the created world were not only the families of the royal dynasties of France, but also the great names involved in the political events of the country for several centuries. Important moments of history, taking place within the walls of the Palace of Versailles in Paris, forever included it in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a symbol of the greatness of the crown of France.
Construction history
The special combination of the buildings of the palace with the surrounding park has become a symbol of beauty and imitation. In his image, the great Peter I, for example, created a “little Versailles” in Peterhof. There is a version that the birth of the famous attraction is associated with the ambitions of Louis XIV, who zealously perceived the existence of the Vaux-le-Viscount castle, which belonged to the famous Minister of Finance Foucault. The ambitious twenty-year-old king needed to create a special palace for fun festivities.
In 1623, he proposed to build a future ensemble on the site of a small hunting castle, measuring 24 by 6 m, built by Louis XIII. Now, on the site of a building made of brick, slate, stone, there is a chic Marble Palace. The unusual architectural complex passed to many dynasties of monarchs, who brought their own features to its modern appearance. The life of kings Philip V (the founder of the Spanish line of Bourbons), Louis XV (a wasteful despot ruled by the Marquise de Pompadour) was connected with the family nest.
The first constitutional monarch, Louis XVI, who ended his life on the scaffold, a supporter of many of the liberal reforms of Louis XVIII, a fighter for the establishment of the absolute monarchy of Charles X. The palace was considered the official residence of the French monarchs of the period from 1682 to 1789. The methods of government of the owners of the residence formed the authority of the center of the political life of Versailles, confirming the role of the palace as a symbol of the greatness of the crown of France.
Famous architects, artists, park designers were involved at all stages of the construction of the complex. The first great masters were in 1662 the artist Charles Lebrun, the architects Andre Le Nôtre, Louis Leveau. The following stages are considered to be the defining historical milestones of the construction of the ensemble:
king's palace
In order for the palace to appear, it was necessary to drain the swamps, replant natural forests in the right place, and create conditions for the residence of 6,000 thousand courtiers, important subjects. Their life, deeds were supposed to proceed according to immutable laws, pleasing to the ruling kings. The absolute power of Louis XIV was demonstrated by the grandiose size of the palace, wealth, and generous entertainment. During the construction, about 30,000 workers were used, almost 10 tons of silver were spent (in terms of current money, this corresponds to 37 billion euros).
Until now, the Museum has all the accounts of the expenses spent during the construction. The palace had difficult living conditions: there was no heating, toilets, water. None of the subjects could decide to leave the palace. At the same time, he lost his ranks and privileges. In the main building of the palace there are bedrooms, halls, distinguished by luxury. Each piece of the premises is decorated with unique carvings on marble and wood.
Frescoes, velvet drapery, paintings, silk carpets are placed on the walls. Tinted glass, sculptures, gilded bronze items skillfully fill all corners of the premises. The palace was erected in a harmonious combination with the surrounding area, other buildings on a vast territory. It became a model of integrity, beauty of architectural buildings in the country residences of kings.
Description of the palace
There is a unique palace and park complex near Paris, at a distance of about 20 km. The elements of the ensemble occupy an area of 800 hectares. The palace has 700 halls, 2000 windows, 67 staircases. The halls are equipped with 1,300 fireplaces and 5,000 pieces of furniture. The palace is known for its libraries, the oval hall, illuminated by 10,000 candles, the theater, and the opera. A special method of supplying water from the Seine River allows 50 fountains to operate in the park. The list of French cultural heritage associated with the Palace of Versailles includes about 16,000 engravings, 6,500 paintings, over 2,000 sculptures.
Each part of the building has a separate entrance, paid separately and located behind the Marble Palace next to the equestrian statue of Louis XIV. Entering the complex through entrance A (opposite the right side of the chapel), you find yourself in the main premises. These are the Official Apartments, the Mirror Gallery. The easiest way to get into the Royal Bedchamber is through Entrance C, located at the back of the courtyard.
Entrance D is the entrance to most of the tours, which completely cover the palace. On the opposite side of the garden, there are two small palaces that complement the overall ensemble. These are the Pink Marble and the Grand Trianon. They served for relaxation, solitude, romantic meetings of the court nobility.
In one of them, dinners were held for the king, whose food was prepared by about 2,000 kitchen workers. The little palace served as the love nest of the king and Madame du Barry. Later, Marie Antoinette became the owner of the small Trianon. At her request, an unusual village appeared near the palace with an artificial lake, a mill, houses with straw roofs. These were realized fantasies about a quiet peasant life. The enormous expenditure of Marie Antoinette led to the devastation of the treasury, the fall of the greatness of the monarchy of kings in 1789.
Halls
It is best to go through the permitted parts of the palace together with a tour, having independently determined the route. It is also possible to order audio guide services. It is impossible to enter many halls and salons of the palace without a guide. The main route of excursions necessarily passes through the Royal Chapel, a majestic white and gold building, made in the Baroque style. Here in 1770 the wedding of the king with Marie Antoinette took place.
A long chain of gilded drawing rooms leads to the main Throne Room and the Mirror Gallery. On its vaulted ceiling are paintings by Charles Le Brun. They depict the great deeds of Louis XIV. Among the golden walls 70 m long and 17 mirrors with lamps in the form of golden sculptures, many political affairs were decided in the gallery. Here the Treaty of Versailles was signed.
In the northern part of the palace are the queen's quarters, including her bedchamber. The last restoration of the chambers completely preserved their appearance from the period of 1787. After finishing the inspection of the chambers, you can see the Salon of War, where paintings are placed on the walls describing the military victories of the empire. On the second floor of the palace is the famous Salon of Hercules. It is considered the first salon of the Great Royal Apartments and connects them with the northern part of the building, the palace chapel. During the life of Louis XIV, the room was used as a ballroom.
During the reign of Louis XVI, the salon was used to receive diplomats, embassies of different states. The hall is famous for its three-dimensional image of the Ascension scene on the ceiling. Hercules opens the entrance to Olympus or immortality. The painting occupies 230 sq.m. It depicts the figures of 123 characters. King Louis XIV was fond of works of art. He inherited 1500 paintings, increasing their number to 2300 pieces. during the years of government. Therefore, in many rooms of the palace, conditions were created for placing interesting expositions of elements of sculpture, graphics, and painting.
The park
The park environment of the buildings, emphasizing the beauty of the palace, was created by the genius of landscape design Andre Le Nôtre. The structure of the palace park is the standard of French classicism of park art. Many monarchs of England, Italy, Germany, and Russia could not surpass the beauty of the park. The distinguishing elements of the park are the following devices:
Among the bright alleys, roaring fountains, fireworks, masquerades, performances, entertaining holidays of kings were held on an area of 100 hectares of a unique park.
Other attractions
For almost a century, the city of Versailles served as the capital. During the period when the problems of diplomacy and history were solved in the luxurious royal palace, the structure of the city was formed. Priceless sights appeared in it, preserved now. Quiet bourgeois town has a well-developed infrastructure, providing excellent opportunities for recreation and travel. Among the main attractions of the city are the Lambinet Museum, the Saint-Louis Cathedral, the Madame Elisabeth Palace, the Chevrelu Arboretum, and others.
Opening hours and ticket prices
The palace is ready to welcome guests from April to October from 9 am to 6.30 pm. Ticket offices close customer service at 17.50. Day off on Monday. The price of the entrance ticket is 15 € for adults, 13 € for students, schoolchildren. In winter, on the first Sundays of the months, you can visit the museum without paying an entrance ticket.
There is a single ticket (worth 18€) that allows you to visit the main Palace, two small palaces. During the period of mass holidays, the work of fountains, the ticket price increases, becomes equal to 25 €. If you want to spend the whole day in the ensemble, it is advantageous to buy a complex ticket at a price of 21.75 €, which includes travel, sightseeing of the palaces, the park.
How to get there
Just arrive at the palace on the RER train, following line C. You need to get off at the Versailles-Rive Gauche stop. Travel time is about 40 minutes, the fare is 3€. The distance from the station is overcome on foot in 5 minutes.