The history of the Palace started in 1623, when Louis XIII bought a piece of land in Versailles to build a hunting lodge, which was very little for someone who knows the customs of the Royal House of France. Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. Anna was born and raised in Paris. These had to come by sea and reach the Seine river, because the routes of the time were of poor quality. Fearing for their lives, they agreed, and the palace was never lived in again. The distance from the king's seat to the kitchen was allegedly so far away that his meals were often served cold. The golden gate came to symbolize all the opulence locked away from the people of France, many of whom were poor and starving. However, in 1994, it was. This makes it the second most visited monument in France. In addition to people, Versailles also hosted several royal menageries full of various wild animals from all over the world. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. Check out the exclusive rewards, here. They had to invent new techniques and hydraulic methods. The slate that was used for the roofs came from Angers, the white stones came from L’Oise, and the marbles came from Campan in the Pyrenees. The daily routine of Louis XIV was planned out in detail when he lived at Versailles. The garden once hosted 400 botanical species from around the world, including pineapples, vanilla, coffee, and more. In 1799, the French Revolution ended and Napoleon Bonaparte took power of France. Whoever did not follow these rules was not allowed to walk the Palace. Here, we explore some fascinating facts about the story of this national treasure, beginning with its humble roots and concluding with its lasting legacy. The one you see now is a recreation from 2008, decorated with 100,000 gold leaves. Feel free to share your own thoughts. Construction of the distinctive Hall of Mirrors began in 1678 under the architect Jules Hardouin Mansart, and had an impressive 357 mirrors. In 1678, Louis XIV left the Louvre for Versailles. The Palace of Versailles was the principal royal residence of France from 1682, under Louis XIV, until the start of the French Revolution in 1789, under Louis XVI. It was the first place to divide animal species into separate and specially adapted enclosures. According to scholar Godfrey Fox Bradby’s book ‘The Great Days of Versailles: Studies from Court Life in the Later Years of Louis XIV,’ all the visually pleasing marble in the large and lofty rooms made life in Versailles uncomfortably cold in the winter months, despite even the 1,200 fireplaces. The Gardens of Versailles span across 800 hectares, comprised of 1,400 fountains, 400 sculptures, … However if you really want to visit the Palace of Versailles, there are a few things you should take into consideration. Required fields are marked *. Realizing the plot of land's potential, he decided to build a brick and stone hunting lodge on the premises in 1623. that the palace could have cost anywhere between US$200-300 billion—a completely unthinkable amount by today’s standards. Wherever she goes, she always tries to experience each city as locals do. It also has 700 rooms, 67 staircases, and 1,200 fireplaces. A Look at the History of Creating Art in Multiples, 10 of Art History’s Most Horrifying Masterpieces, Uppercase and Lowercase: An Etymological Tale of Two Scripts, 7 Joan Miró Artworks That Are Abstract Visualizations of What Was Inside His Mind, American Silver: The History of Silver’s Popularity in Art and Design, Archaeologists Unearth Dozens of 2,500-Year-Old Coffins in Egypt, Artificial Intelligence Revitalizes 1902 Footage of a “Flying Train” Ride Through a German Town, 25 “Weird History” Facts That Prove the Past Is Fascinating and Really Funny. Located away from the city of Paris, as if he wanted to protect the monarchy from the quivers and the conspiracies of the capital, the stunning palace is a symbol of power. Nevertheless, in 1837 the palace was converted into a museum that “celebrated glorious events in the history of France from the Middle Ages to the start of the July Monarchy.” At the end of the 19th century, however, it was decided that Versailles would be restored to its former self, with efforts ongoing to this day. It included a theater and farm area, as well as a “temple of love,” which consists of a round colonnade surrounding a statue of cupid. They had to find solutions for all the obstacles the construction had to face: for instance, the water. Find out how by becoming a Patron. Intended as an escape from courtly life, this small “village” comprises rustic cottages nestled next to streams that feed into grottos, a pond, and a mill wheel. Once the epicenter of French royalty, the elegant estate has undergone several transformations since its conception in the 17th century. Read more. The palace was built in the late 17th century as a home for France’s king at the time. Palaces you can visit without marrying a royal. Even Marie Antoinette enjoyed the hot cocoa, as she reportedly had her own chocolate maker whom she brought with her when she married Louis XVI. It is about 15 miles south west of Paris and easily reached by train. Princes, courtiers and ministers lived in Versailles with him. The organization sums up its significance: “The Palace of Versailles was the principal residence of the French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. With such huge and diverse gardens, the palace also helped progress the fields of botany and agriculture. In 1837, after the French Revolution, Versailles became a museum. The Treaty brought World War I to a close, ending the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. In the morning, the courtiers wait in the antechamber for the King to wake up. If you know any other amazing facts about this incredible place, share in the comments. Due to a lack of data and the trouble with historical currency conversion, calculating the cost is tricky. A fitting design for the Sun King! Chamber pots were the toilet of the time, and royal families tended to luxurize the experience by having a small, separate room that housed a sort of chair which had the pot under a seat with a hole. Started as being a simple and modest hunting accomodation until Louis XIV was nominated King and decided Versailles would be a potential place to build a palace.