And in general, looking at the palaces of France, we cannot help but look into the most probably famous palace and park complex in France. Let it be known to everyone, you have heard a lot about it, but let’s take a virtual look there for a couple of minutes.

Versailles- this name is associated throughout the world with the idea of ​​​​the most significant and magnificent palace, erected by the will of one monarch. The Versailles palace and park ensemble, a recognized masterpiece of world heritage, is quite young - it is only three and a half centuries old. The Palace and Park of Versailles is one of the outstanding architectural ensembles in the history of world architecture. The layout of the vast park, the territory associated with the Palace of Versailles, is the pinnacle of French park art, and the palace itself is a first-class architectural monument. A galaxy of brilliant masters worked on this ensemble. They created a complex, complete architectural complex, which included a monumental palace building and a number of park structures of “small forms”, and, most importantly, a park that was exceptional in its compositional integrity.

The Versailles ensemble is a highly characteristic and striking work of French classicism of the 17th century. The palace and park ensemble of Versailles is the greatest architectural monument of the 17th century, which had a strong influence on the urban planning thought of the 18th century. Versailles generally became like " ideal city", which the authors of the Renaissance dreamed and wrote about and which, through the will of Louis XIV, the "Sun King", and the art of his architects and gardeners, turned out to be realized in reality, and in close proximity to Paris. But let's talk about everything in more detail...

Mention of Versailles first appeared in a charter of 1038 issued by the Abbey of St. Peter. It spoke of a certain lord Hugo of Versailles, the owner of a small castle and the surrounding areas. The emergence of the first locality- the small village around the castle - is usually dated to the mid-11th century. Another village soon grew up around the Church of St. Julian.

The 13th century (especially the years of the reign of Saint Louis) for Versailles, as well as for the whole of Northern France, became a century of prosperity. However, the subsequent 14th century brought with it a terrible plague epidemic and the Hundred Years' War between England and France. All these misfortunes brought Versailles into a very deplorable state: by the end of the 14th century, its population numbered just over 100 people. It began to recover only in the next 15th century.

Versailles as an architectural and park ensemble did not arise immediately; it was not created by one architect, like many palaces of the 17th-18th centuries that imitated him. At the end of the 16th century, Versailles was a small village in the forest, where he sometimes hunted Henry IV. Ancient chronicles report that at the beginning of the 17th century, Versailles was a village with a population of about 500 people; a mill then stood on the site of the future palace, and fields and endless swamps stretched all around. In 1624 it was built on behalf of Louis XIII, by the architect Philibert Le Roy, a small hunting castle near a village called Versailles.

Near it was a medieval dilapidated castle - the possession of the house of Gondi. Saint-Simon, in his memoirs, refers to this ancient castle of Versailles as a "house of cards". But soon this castle was rebuilt by the architect Lemercier by order of the king. At the same time, Louis XIII acquired the site of Gondi, along with the dilapidated palace of the archbishop, and demolished it to expand his park. The small castle was located 17 kilometers from Paris. It was a U-shaped structure with a moat. In front of the castle there were four buildings made of stone and brick with metal bars on the balconies. The courtyard of the old castle, which later received the name of Marble, has survived to this day. The first gardens of the Versailles Park were laid out by Jacques Boisseau and Jacques de Menoir.

In the mid-16th century, the only lord of Versailles was Martial de Lomeny, Minister of Finance under King Charles IX. Charles granted him the right to hold four annual fairs in Versailles and open a weekly market (on Thursdays). The population of Versailles, which was still a small village, at this time was about 500 people. However, the French religious wars between Catholics and Protestants led to a quick change of the seigneurial dynasty. Martial was arrested for his sympathies towards the Huguenots (French Protestants) and thrown into prison. Here he was visited by the Duke de Retz, Albert de Gondi, who had long been nurturing plans to seize the Versailles territories. Through threats, he forced de Lomeny to sign a document according to which the latter ceded Versailles to him at a negligible price.

At the beginning of the 17th century, King Louis XIII began to frequently visit Versailles, who took great pleasure in hunting in the local forests. In 1623, he ordered the construction of a small castle where hunters could stop for a rest. This building became the first royal palace in Versailles. On April 8, 1632, Louis XIII completely bought the seigneury from the last Versailles owner, Jean-François de Gondi, for 66,000 livres. In the same year, the king appointed his valet Arnaud as governor of Versailles. In 1634, the architect Philibert le Roy was commissioned to rebuild the old Versailles castle into a royal palace. However, despite the changes that took place, by the end of the reign of Louis XIII, Versailles did not change its appearance much. He, as before, was a small village.

Everything changed with the accession to the throne of the king - the sun, Louis XIV. It was during the reign of this monarch (1643-1715) that Versailles became a city and a favorite royal residence.

In 1662, Versailles began to be built according to Le Nôtre's plan. Andre Le Nôtre(1613-1700) by this time had already become famous as a builder of country estates with regular parks (in Vaux-le-Vicomte, Saux, Saint-Cloud, etc.). It is interesting that in 1655-1661 N. Fouquet, the largest financier of absolutist France, according to the project of the architect Louis le Vaux rebuilt his country castle. The main thing in the palace and park ensemble of Vaux-le-Vicomte was not even the palace itself (at that time quite modest), but the general principle of creating a country residence. The whole of it was turned into a giant park, skillfully designed by the architect-gardener Andre Le Nôtre. The Vaux-le-Vicomte Palace demonstrated the new lifestyle of the French aristocrat - in nature, outside the walls of a cramped, crowded city. I liked the palace and park so much Louis XIV that he could not come to terms with the idea that they were not his property. The French king immediately imprisoned Fouquet, and entrusted the architects Louis le Vaux and André Le Nôtre with the construction of his palace at Versailles. The architecture of the Fouquet estate was adopted as a model for Versailles. Having preserved the Fuke Palace, the king removed from it everything that could be removed and taken away, down to the orange trees and marble statues of the park.

Le Nôtre began with the construction of the city, which was to house the courtiers of Louis XIV and the numerous staff of palace servants and military guards. The city was designed for thirty thousand inhabitants. Its layout was subject to three radial highways, which diverged from the central part of the palace in three directions: in So, Saint-Cloud, Paris. Despite the direct analogy with the Roman three-beam, the Versailles composition was significantly different from its Italian prototype. In Rome, the streets diverged from Piazza del Popolo, but in Versailles they quickly converged on the palace. In Rome, the width of the streets was less than thirty meters, in Versailles - about a hundred. In Rome, the angle formed between the three highways was 24 degrees, and in Versailles 30 degrees. For the fastest settlement of the city Louis XIV distributed building plots to everyone (of course, nobles) for a reasonable price with the only condition that buildings be built in the same style and not higher than 18.5 meters, that is, the level of the entrance to the palace.

In 1673, a decision was made to demolish the old Versailles buildings, including the church. The new Cathedral of St. Julian was erected in its place in 1681-1682. On May 6, 1682, Louis XIV, along with his entire court, moved from Paris to Versailles. This was a turning point in the history of the city. By the first quarter of the 18th century (i.e. by the end of Louis's reign), Versailles had become a luxurious royal residence, and its population was 30,000 inhabitants.

As a result of the second construction cycle, Versailles developed into an integral palace and park ensemble, which is a wonderful example of the synthesis of arts - architecture, sculpture, and landscape gardening art of French classicism of the 17th century. However, after the death of the cardinal Mazarin, Versailles, created by Levo, began to seem insufficiently majestic to express the idea of ​​​​an absolute monarchy. Therefore, he was invited to rebuild Versailles Jules Hardouin Mansart, the largest architect of the end of the century, whose name is associated with the third construction period in the history of the creation of this complex, the great-nephew of the famous Francois Mansart. Mansar further enlarged the palace by erecting two wings, each five hundred meters long, at right angles to the southern and northern facades of the palace. In the northern wing he placed a church (1699-1710), the vestibule of which was finished by Robert de Cotte. In addition, Mansart built two more floors above the Levo terrace, creating a Mirror Gallery along the western facade, closing with the halls of War and Peace (1680-1886).

Adam Frans van der Meulen - Construction of the Château de Versailles

On the axis of the palace towards the entrance on the second floor, Mansart placed the royal bedroom with a view of the city and an equestrian statue of the king, which was later placed at the vanishing point of the trident of the roads of Versailles. The king's chambers were located in the northern part of the palace, and the queen's in the southern part. Mansart also built two buildings of Ministers (1671-1681), which formed the third, the so-called “court of the Ministers,” and connected these buildings with a rich gilded lattice. All this completely changed the appearance of the building, although Mansar left the same height of the building. Gone are the contrasts, the freedom of imagination, nothing remains but the extended horizontal of the three-story structure, united in the structure of its facades with the ground, front and attic floors. The impression of grandeur that this brilliant architecture produces is achieved by the large scale of the whole and the simple and calm rhythm of the entire composition.

Clickable

Mansart knew how to combine various elements into a single artistic whole. He had an amazing sense of ensemble, striving for rigor in decoration. For example, in the Mirror Gallery he used a single architectural motif - a uniform alternation of walls and openings. This classicist base creates a sense of clear form. Thanks to Mansart, the expansion of the Palace of Versailles acquired a natural character. The extensions received a strong relationship with the central buildings. The ensemble, outstanding in its architectural and artistic qualities, was successfully completed and had a great influence on the development of world architecture.

Each of the inhabitants of the Palace of Versailles left their mark on its architecture and decoration. Louis XV, the great-grandson of Louis XIV, who inherited the throne in 1715, only towards the end of his reign in 1770 decided to make changes to the architecture of the palace. He ordered separate apartments to be equipped in order to protect his life from court etiquette. In turn, Louis XV inherited from his great-grandfather a love of the arts, as evidenced by the decoration of his Inner Chambers; and the penchant for secret political intrigue passed to him from the Italian ancestors of the Medici family and the Savoy dynasty. It was in the Inner Cabinets, far from the curious court, that he who was called "Everyone's Favorite" made some of the most important decisions of the state. At the same time, the king did not neglect either the etiquette established by his predecessor, or the life of the family, of which the queen and his especially beloved daughters reminded him.

After the death of the Sun King, Philip of Orleans, who became regent under the young Louis XV, decided to move the French court back to Paris. This was a notable blow to Versailles, which immediately lost about half of its inhabitants. However, everything returned to its previous state when, in 1722, the matured Louis XV moved to Versailles again. Under his successor Louis XVI, the city had to go through many dramatic moments. By a whim of fate, this luxurious royal residence was to become the cradle of the Great French Revolution. It was here that the Estates General met in 1789, and here, on June 20, 1789, deputies from the Third Estate took a solemn oath not to disperse until their demands for political changes in France were accepted. Here, at the beginning of October 1789, a crowd of heated revolutionaries arrived from Paris, which, having captured the palace, forced the royal family to return to the capital. After this, Versailles again began to rapidly lose population: its population decreased from 50,000 people (in 1789) to 28,000 people (in 1824). During the revolutionary events, almost all the furniture and valuables were removed from the Palace of Versailles, but the building itself was not destroyed. During the reign of the Directory, restoration work was carried out in the palace, after which a museum was located here.

Louis XVI, the heir of Louis XV, whose reign was tragically interrupted by the revolution, inherited enviable heroic strength from his maternal grandfather, the Polish king Augustus of Saxony; on the other hand, his Bourbon ancestors passed on to him not only a true passion for hunting, but also a deep interest in science. His wife Marie Antoinette, daughter of the Duke of Lorraine, who later became Emperor of Austria, left a deep mark on the musical life of Versailles thanks to her love of music, inherited from both the Habsburgs of Austria and Louis XIII. Unlike his ancestors, Louis XVI did not have the ambitions of a king-creator. Known for his simplicity of taste, he lived in the palace out of necessity. During his reign, the interior of the palace was updated, and, above all, the Queen's Small Offices, which were located parallel to his Large Chambers. During the revolution, all the furniture and decorations of the palace were plundered. Napoleon and then Louis XVIII carried out restoration work at Versailles. After the July Revolution of 1830, the palace was supposed to be demolished. This issue was put to a vote in the Chamber of Deputies. Versailles saved the advantage by one vote. The last of the dynasty, King Louis Philippe ruled France from 1830 to 1848. In 1830, after the July revolution that placed him on the throne, the House of Representatives passed a law that placed Versailles and Trianon in the hands of the new king. Wasting no time, Louis-Philippe ordered the creation of a Museum in Versailles in honor of the glorious victories of France, which opened on June 1, 1837. This purpose of the castle has been preserved to this day.

The creators of the palace were not only Louis Le Vaux and Mansart. A significant group of architects worked under their leadership. Lemuet, Dorbay, Pierre Guitard, Bruant, Pierre Cottar and Blondel worked with Le Vaux. Mansart's chief assistant was his pupil and relative, Robert de Cotte, who continued to supervise the construction after Mansart's death in 1708. In addition, Charles Davilet and Lassurance worked at Versailles. The interiors were made according to the drawings of Beren, Vigarani, as well as Lebrun and Mignard. Due to the participation of many masters, the architecture of Versailles is currently of a heterogeneous nature, especially since the construction of Versailles - from the appearance of the hunting castle of Louis XIII to the construction of the battle gallery of Louis Philippe - lasted about two centuries (1624-1830).

During the Napoleonic wars, Versailles was captured twice by Prussian troops (in 1814 and 1815). The Prussian invasion occurred again during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. The occupation lasted 174 days. In the Palace of Versailles, chosen by the Prussian King Wilhelm I as a temporary residence, on January 18, 1871, the creation of the German Empire was announced.

In the 20th century, Versailles also witnessed major international events more than once. It was here that a peace treaty was signed in 1919, ending the First World War and marking the beginning of the Versailles system of international relations.

Main palace complex(Chateau de Versailles) was built in the 17th century by King Louis XIV, who wanted to move here from unsafe Paris. Luxurious rooms are richly decorated with marble, velvet and wood carvings. The main attractions here are the Royal Chapel, the Salon of Venus, the Salon of Apollo and the Hall of Mirrors. The design of the front rooms was dedicated to the Greek gods. The salon of Apollo was originally the throne room of Louis. The Hall of Mirrors contains 17 huge mirrors reflecting the tall arched windows and crystal candelabra.

Grand Trianon- a beautiful palace made of pink marble was built by Louis XIV for his beloved Madame de Maintenon. Here the monarch liked to spend his free time. The palace was later home to Napoleon and his second wife.

Petit Trianon- another love nest built by King Louis XV for Madame de Pompadour. Later, the Petit Trianon was occupied by Marie Antoinette, and even later by Napoleon's sister. The nearby Temple of Love is said to have been Marie Antoinette's favorite place for parties.

Colonnade- a circle of marble columns and arches, located within the gardens, continues the theme of the gods of Olympus. The place was the king's favorite outdoor dining area.

During World War II, Versailles was occupied by German troops. In addition, the city had to endure several brutal bombings, which killed 300 Versailles residents. The liberation of Versailles took place on August 24, 1944, and was carried out by French troops under the command of General Leclerc.

On February 25, 1965, a government decree was issued, according to which Versailles was to be turned into the prefecture of the new department of Yvelines, the official creation of which took place on January 1, 1968.

Today the city retains this status. Being one of the most attractive tourist destinations, Versailles is rightfully proud of its history and architectural monuments. In 1979, the palace and park of Versailles were officially included in the list of world cultural heritage UNESCO.

Pierre-Denis Martin - View of Versailles

Gardens of Versailles with their sculptures, fountains, pools, cascades and grottoes, the Parisian nobility soon became the scene of brilliant court festivities and Baroque amusements, during which they could enjoy both the operas of Lully and the plays of Racine and Molière.

Parks of Versailles spread over an area of ​​101 hectares. There are many observation platforms, alleys and promenades, there is even a Grand Canal, or rather, a whole system of canals, which was called "little Venice". Myself Palace of Versailles is also striking in its size: the length of its park facade is 640 meters, the Mirror Gallery located in the center is 73 meters long.

Versailles is open to visitors

in May - September from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:30.
fountains are open on Saturdays from July 1 to September 30 and on Sundays from early April to early October.

How to get there - Versailles

Trains (trains) go to Versailles from Gare Montparnasse station, Montparnasse Bienvenue metro station (12th metro line). The entrance to the station is directly from the metro. Continue to the stop Versailles Chantiers. Travel time is 20 minutes. The cost of a round-trip ticket is 5.00 euros.

Exit the station in the direction "Sortie" (exit), then go straight. The road will take you to the palace in 10 - 15 minutes.

Address: France, city of Versailles
Start of construction: 1661
Architect: Louis Levo
Main attractions: regular park (one of the largest in Europe), Mirror Gallery, Battle Gallery, Palace Chapel, Royal Opera House, Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, Small apartments of the King
Coordinates: 48°48"16.6"N 2°07"13.3"E

Content:

Short description

Just 30 minutes by train from Paris, and the passenger arrives in Versailles - a respectable suburb, famous for the residence of the French monarchs.

Bird's eye view of the Palace of Versailles

The city of Versailles grew up around a modest 5-room hunting castle founded by Louis XIII in 1623. The heir to the throne - "The Sun King" Louis XIV was also fond of hunting, but he connected much more grandiose plans with Versailles. Dissatisfied with his residence in the Louvre, the monarch decided to turn the hunting grounds into a luxurious palace.

Palace of Versailles. General form.

In addition, living in the Louvre seemed unsafe: even at a young age, Louis XIV and his family had to flee Paris, which was engulfed in the Fronde uprising. In Versailles, the monarch could hide from court intrigues and conspiracies, enjoying the company of numerous favorites.

Construction of the palace, begun in 1661 under Louis XIV, continued during the reign of his son, Louis XV. Charles Lebrun, court painter of the “Sun King,” and Louis Leveau, “the first royal architect,” expanded and designed Versailles in the style of classicism.

Golden Gate of the Palace of Versailles

And the master of landscape art Andre Le Nôtre landscaped the gardens and parks. 36,000 people worked hard at Versailles - they drained swamps, created artificial relief, etc. According to the records of those years, the palace cost the state “15,228,287 livres, 10 sous and 3 deniers.” Putting the costs in relation to the state budget of France in the 17th century and recalculating them in modern money, the amount is 260 billion euros. Half of this money is spent on interior design.

Marble courtyard of the Palace of Versailles

Hunger riot in the square near Versailles

Versailles served as the main residence of the French kings until 1789, when Louis XVI was dethroned and executed. It was here, on the square in front of the palace in October 1789, that a crowd of townspeople gathered, outraged by the high prices of bread. In response to the protest, they heard the famous phrase, the authorship of which is attributed to Marie Antoinette, the wife of Louis XVI: “If they have no bread, let them eat cake!” After the hunger riot, Versailles lost its significance as the center of high society life in France.

View of the Palace of Versailles from the park

Interiors of Versailles - “chic-brilliance-beauty”

In the atmosphere of luxury at Versailles, among monumental fountains, alleys and promenades, surrounded by a riot of greenery and flowers, it was so easy for the monarch to abandon the real problems of the common people! The Mirror Gallery of the Palace of Versailles is particularly chic. It is a gigantic hall the height of a 5-story building. Arched windows and doorways filled with mirrors visually expand the space of the hall.

During the era of the Sun King, the gallery was furnished with silver tables and stools; statues and even plant pots were cast from silver.

View of the Grand Canal in the Park of Versailles

Crystal chandeliers flickered above the ceiling, painted with “heavenly glaze,” and the windows were framed by curtains made of gold brocade. The floors were covered with magnificent carpets from the Savonnerie manufactory. Under Louis XIV, the Gallery of Mirrors, together with the Staircase of the Ambassadors (dismantled in 1752) and the Royal Chapel, was one of the three most colossal interiors of the palace. The upper tier of the chapel, intended for the royal family, rests on a white marble colonnade with gilded capitals.

Petit Trianon

In the center is an altar decorated with figures of ancient Greek gods. On the lower level there was a chapel for courtiers and ladies-in-waiting. Beyond the gallery are the queen's apartments. A huge bed, almost the size of a bedroom, immediately attracts attention. All surfaces in the bedchamber are covered with gold, emphasizing the high status of the first lady of France. The apartments of the king and queen are separated by the Gallery of Battles. On its walls hang 30 paintings glorifying the significant victories of France, and along the walls there are statues of 82 commanders.

Grand Trianon Palace

The king's apartments occupy several halls, notable among them is the Bull's Eye salon with an oval-shaped window that opens onto the courtyard. The interior of the salon is decorated with sculptures of playing putti (winged angel boys), stucco moldings and portraits of members of the royal family.

Secret meeting room and toy farm

In the depths of the palace park, which stretches over 800 hectares, is located the one-story Grand Trianon Palace, lined with white and blue tiles. It was intended for relaxation and secret meetings. If you go in the opposite direction, you can get to the Petit Trianon - the mansion of Marie Antoinette.

Fountain of Laton

Here, on the banks of the pond, there is the “Mill Village” - several houses, stylized as peasant houses. In this semblance of a real farm, clean chickens and perfumed cows roamed, and disguised maids of honor portrayed peasant girls. Children's games were also held here.

In the history of European architecture there is no other example of imitation than imitation Palace of Versailles, many palaces and parks were built in the style of Versailles, which served as a starting model for architects and designers.

The luxurious Palace of Versailles and its magnificent parks and gardens, exquisite greenhouses and wonderful fountains had a simply magical influence on the architectural and construction thought of Europe in the 18th century.

At Versailles, the monarchs and the royal court lived in incredible luxury and entertained themselves by creating an incredible amount of intrigue and secrets of Versailles. At the origins of this insidious tradition is Louis XIV, who outlived his creator; his creation and tradition were successfully used by his descendants, but the “intrigue-weaving” reached its peak under Marie Antoinette.

Let's take a look at this magnificence, and start right from the very Palace of Versailles- royal house.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 02.01.2016 10:29

This is the main building of the complex, the home of the French kings. You can get into it by passing through the “Royal Gate” - a gilded lattice decorated with royal attributes, a coat of arms and a crown.

The second floor was intended for the royal family - on the north side there were the King's Grand Salons, there were seven of them, and on the south there were chambers for the female half of the royal family. The first floor was occupied by the royal courtiers.

The palace has about seven hundred rooms, and the throne room, where the kings received ambassadors and important persons, is called the Salon of Apollo. The throne room was also used for balls, theatrical performances and performances.

Mirror Gallery - the most impressive and famous room Palace of Versailles, the gallery played an important, if not the main, role in the history of palace life. The most luxurious and magnificent events of the royal court, balls, celebrations and royal weddings were held here.

The Mirror Gallery received its name for the huge mirrors that filled the space between 17 large arched window openings overlooking the luxurious Versailles gardens and parks, creating an extraordinary effect of space and light. In total there were more than 350 mirrors. The height of the ceilings of the gallery reached 11 meters, with a length of 73 meters and a width of 11.
There was a period in the history of the Palace of Versailles when the furniture in the Mirror Gallery was made of pure silver, a good investment, but by the beginning of the 18th century, due to large military expenses, the furniture was melted down for coins.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 02.01.2016 11:07

Opposite is the Armory Square, from which three alleys begin, separated by two buildings - the Big and Small Stables, which simultaneously housed up to 2,500 horses and 200 carriages.

The grandiose Palace contains priceless works of art, which, together with the extraordinary beauty of the parks, create one of the most amazing architectural ensembles in the world.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 02.01.2016 11:11

Immediately behind the fence is the first of three successive courtyards, the so-called courtyard of the ministers, in the depths of which stands a statue of Louis XIV. The second courtyard, the Royal, was where the royal carriages entered, and the last courtyard, the Marbres, is surrounded by the original building of Louis XIII. On the side opposite the entrance, one of the most beautiful facades, 580 m long, overlooks the park.

Its central part was made according to the design of Levo (1678-80), two side wings and the final decoration of the building were made by Hardouin-Mansart. The two longest floors are enlivened by projections and columns that break the monotony of the building. The lower floor is built in the form of rusticated arches, and the tall windows of the upper floor are framed by pilasters.

The central pavilion was intended for the royal family, the two side wings were for the blood princes, and the attic was for the courtiers.

From the Royal Court you can enter the palace, or rather, the first gallery of the Historical Museum, which tells about the era of Louis XIII and Louis XIV. The next hall, called the Royal, has an oval shape. This room was designed by the architect Gabriel (1770) to celebrate the wedding of the future King Louis XIV with Marie Antoinette of Austria.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 02.01.2016 11:14

After the second gallery on the top floor there is a Chapel dedicated to St. Louis of France. This room, richly decorated with white and gold moldings, is considered a masterpiece of the architect Hardouin-Mansart (1699-1710).

The magnificent bas-reliefs on the pilasters and arches were made by Van Cleve. The next room, called the Salon of Hercules, was built in 1712 and decorated in 1736 by Robert de Cotte. Two magnificent paintings by Veronese, “The Supper of Christ in the House of Simon the Pharisee” and “Elizir and Rebecca,” are kept here. On the same floor are the six rooms of the Grand Royal Apartments, which are typical examples of the Louis XV style, where preference was given to the use of precious materials.

But the most luxurious, without a doubt, is Lebrun's masterpiece of decorative art, the Gallery of Mirrors, built in 1687. The fame of this gallery was brought by its original decor: 17 mirrors reflecting the light that penetrates through 17 windows located opposite.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 02.01.2016 11:19

The gardens deserve special attention; this is the clearest example of the breakdown of a French park. The gardens of Versailles, together with the Large and Small parks, cover an area of ​​more than 100 hectares. This beautiful space was designed by Le Nôtre, who managed to harmoniously combine nature with art and with the tastes of the king.

After descending the terrace, you come to the Latona Fountain (1670), this wonderful fountain is decorated with the figures of the goddess Diana, Apollo and Latona, this triad sits on concentric pools set up in a pyramid.

The Tapi-Ver alley starts from the fountain and leads to another magnificent fountain of Apollo, where Tubi (1671) depicted a divine chariot drawn by four horses, which bursts out of the water, while tritons blow their shells, announcing the coming of the god. The lawns behind the Apollo Fountain end at the Grand Canal (120 m wide), which stretches for 1560 m and ends in a large swimming pool.

Do you admire the classic styles of the 17th – 18th centuries, but can’t choose just one? Let go of your worries - you are not alone. Several centuries ago, during the renovation and expansion of Versailles, Louis XIV faced the same problem and simply combined them. Thus, from a combination of classicism and baroque, an interior style with the same name Versailles emerged.

A little history

Initially, the Palace of Versailles was a hunting lodge. In 1661, Louis XIV decided to turn an inconspicuous building into a luxurious residence, where he planned to gather the entire aristocratic elite of France. The “sun king” realized his idea brilliantly – there is not a single exact analogue of this ensemble.

The best minds and talents of the era worked on the creation of the complex. The territory of the park was landscaped by Andre Le Nôtre. The architects who embodied the king's most daring plans were Louis Leveau and Jules Hardouin. The interiors were designed by Charles Lebrun, a famous decorator who created the court style of Louis XIV.

In the middle of the 17th century, France relied on ancient canons. The king was constrained by this - he was more impressed by the dynamic Italian Baroque, which ultimately led to a mixture of styles. It is also worth noting that over 40 years, about seven hundred rooms were built - maintaining unity turned out to be impossible.

Versailles style today

The Palace of Versailles is not only a symbol of the era, but also an inexhaustible source of inspiration for architects, artists, and designers.

It is unlikely that we will be able to recreate even a part of the grandiose ensemble, since construction by modern standards cost about 260 billion euros. However, no one forbade spying on some interesting ideas.

Finishing materials

To be no worse than the French kings, you should use only first-class materials in decoration: polished stone, natural wood, ceramic tiles and decorative plaster. A floor with artistic parquet looks especially harmonious in such an interior.

It is best to cover the walls with Venetian plaster or matte paint. If you prefer wallpaper, pay attention to bright holiday colors: lilac, turquoise, ruby, gold. A variety of moldings and fabric drapery on the walls are welcome.

Furniture items

Sofas with lion paws, armchairs with soft armrests and rounded backs, elegant poufs and footrests will help create the atmosphere of a French salon XVII in the living room. Everything should be conducive to a leisurely and pleasant conversation. The undoubted decorations will be a shiny piano in the corner of the room and a fireplace.

It is difficult to imagine a palace interior without chests of drawers with curved legs, bureaus, secretaries with many drawers and without dressing tables with luxurious dressing tables. They perform not only aesthetic, but also practical functions, hiding all the most valuable things from prying eyes. Kings have their secrets.

Decor and lighting

The Versailles style, following the Baroque, is not at all stingy in decoration: frescoes, bas-reliefs, floral patterns, sculptural compositions, lace, draperies - everything was mixed in the palace of Louis XIV. But now we have plenty to choose from, don’t you agree?

Mirrors are a special item. They visually increase the space and favorably emphasize the lush decoration of the room. It is no coincidence that the Gallery of Mirrors is the most famous interior of Versailles. You should opt for antique or antique-style options. They look best in massive carved frames decorated with gilding.

Small decorative items are characterized by floral patterns and bright rich shades. There are oriental carpets on the floors, the walls are decorated with tapestries, and armchairs and sofas cannot do without soft pillows.

The lighting in the Palace of Versailles was special. The windows were specially made below the usual level so that the sun could easily penetrate into the rooms, filling them with light and air. Maybe this isn't such a bad idea after all?

To summarize, we have compiled a list of the main features of the Versailles style:

use first-class materials in finishing

decorative plaster is best suited for walls

you can’t do without armchairs, sofas and an ottoman

abundance of decor

floral patterns and rich shades

Of course, the times of formidable kings and luxurious residences are gone forever, leaving us with a rich heritage. Why not turn to him for inspiration and create in your home a light atmosphere of palace gloss of the 17th century.

Fabulous Palace of Versailles is a testament to the extravagance of the Sun King, Louis XIV. The palace and its beautiful formal garden became the main model for palaces throughout Europe.

• From Paris: 22 km from Paris, 35 minutes by car.

Opening hours of Versailles:

April - October:

• Palace 9:00 - 18:30, last entry 18:00, ticket office closes at 17:50. Closed on Mondays.
• Trianon Palace and Marie Antoinette's estate - 12:00 - 20:30, closed on Mondays.
• Garden - daily 8:00 - 20:30.
• Park - daily 7 - 19 for vehicles and 7 - 20:30 for pedestrians.

November - March

• palace 9:00 - 17:30, last entrance 17:00, ticket office closes at 16:50. Closed on Mondays.
• Trianon Palace and Marie Antoinette's estate - 12:00 - 17:30, closed on Mondays.
• Garden and park - daily, except Mondays, 8:00 - 18:00.

Entrance to Versailles:

• A ticket to the Palace of Versailles costs 15€ for adults (including audio guide), reduced price - 13 €, under 18 years old free.
• “Hidden Versailles” - with a guide, private apartments - 16 €.
• Trianon Palace and the estate of Marie Antoinette - 10 € (preferential - 6 €).
• Full Versailles: 18 €(25 € on days of musical concerts).
• Forfaits Loisirs combined ticket (all of Versailles + tickets from and to Paris)- 21.75 € on weekdays, 26 € on weekends. You can buy it at SNCF railway ticket offices. (the best option).

In summer after 15:00 entrance to the palace territory (park) for free.

The first Sunday of every month from November to March - free tour of the apartments, coronation room, Trianon Palace and Marie Antoinette's estate.

How to get to Versailles:

From public transport The most convenient way to get to Versailles is by direct train:

• : stop Versailles-Rive Gauche(ticket zone 1 - 4, regular T+ is not valid).
• : Versailles-Chantiers(from) or Versailles-Rive Droite(trains from Gare St-Lazare station). Travel time is about 20 minutes. Then walk to Versailles following the signs - about 15 minutes.

Train ticket to Versailles: 7.10 € in both directions, you need to select your final destination at the ticket machine - Versailles Rive Gauche.

Valid tickets: Paris Visite (1 - 5 zones) - from 11.15 €/day.

Train schedule to Versailles - RER C:

RER C route map (download PDF):

Maps of Versailles:

A Brief History of Versailles

Versailles is located about 20 kilometers from Paris. The first mention of the city and the estate was in 1038, when the name appeared in the charter of the abbey of Saint-Pere-de-Chartres. At the end of the 11th century, Versailles was a provincial village, encompassing a castle and the church of Saint-Julien, which remained prosperous until the early 13th century. After the Hundred Years' War, however, only a handful of people lived there.

Royal presence

In the 16th century, the Gondi family became rulers of Versailles, and the city became popular when the future King Louis XIII visited the area and was captivated by its beauty. In 1622, he bought land in the area and began building a small house of stone and brick.
Statue of Louis XIV
Ten years later he became the master of Versailles and began expanding his house. He soon acquired more land, as well as the Gondi property. Louis XIII died in 1643.

Sun King

In 1662, the new king, Louis XIV, turned out to be very interested in Versailles. Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King, did not trust the Parisians and wanted to move his royal residence away from the Louvre, which was constantly at the center of political turmoil. The Sun King was largely responsible for the expansion of Versailles, which resulted in the construction of a building that still stands today. He hired the architect Louis Le Vau and the artist Charles Lebrun to build this Baroque masterpiece, which became a typical example for all palaces in Europe. The famous gardener André Le Notre was responsible for the unsurpassed garden of Versailles.

Royal Chapel

After the death of the architect Le Vau, Jules Hardouin-Mansart was commissioned to triple the size of the palace. Under his watchful eye, the north and south wings, the Orangerie, the Grand Trianon (castle) and the royal chapel were built. Later the opera house and the Petit Trianon (small castle) were added, which was built between 1761 and 1764 for Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour.

French revolution

During the French Revolution, the incredible collection of paintings, antiques and other works of art that had accumulated at Versailles were transferred to the Palace, and other important items were sent to the National Library and Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. Most of the furniture, according to historians, was sold at auction.

Royal Palace

After the revolution, Napoleon spent the summer at Versailles until he abdicated the throne. Later, Louis Philippe lived here, who in 1830 turned the castle into a grand museum dedicated to the “Glory of France.” The Chapel, Opera, and Hall of Mirrors were preserved, but many of the smaller rooms were demolished to make way for spacious exhibition halls. However, in the 1960s, curator Pierre Werlet managed to get some of the furniture back and restore a number of royal apartments.

Today, visitors can visit Versailles, see much of the interior of this magnificent palace, as well as the world famous garden.

Versailles Museum:

Notable numbers include:

Hall of Mirrors

Some call the Hall of Mirrors Louis XIV's most notable contribution to Versailles. The main feature of the hall is the seventeen mirrored arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the equally magnificent garden of Versailles. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors, for a total of 357 mirrors in the room. This magnificent hall is 73 meters long, 10.5 meters wide and 12.3 meters high. Statues and busts line the walls. The Hall of Mirrors has always played an important role in history, including in 1919, when the First World War officially ended, Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles in this hall.

Royal Chapel

Currently, the chapel is already the fifth in the palace. Construction began in 1689 and was completed around 1710. There is a "tribune" on the same level as the royal apartments, overlooking the nave where the kings sat while attending mass. The architecture is a combination of Gothic and Baroque. Many details of the chapel resemble cathedrals Middle Ages, including a gargoyle and gabled roof, colored marble tiles on the floor, columns and carved pillars.

Grand - apartments

Originally known as the Apartments of the Planets (each of the 7-salons of these apartments has paintings of the planets), these were the apartments of King Louis XIV. While all the apartments are mesmerizing, most notable are the ceilings painted by the king's artist Charles Lebrenoy and his team of artists.

Royal Opera

The Opera's auditorium is made entirely of wood, making it one of the most acoustically “live” theaters in the world. Although it was a court theater and was not intended for a huge audience, it seats more than 700 people. Gold, pink and green dominate the decor of the Opera, whose construction was finally completed only in 1770. It was first used for the wedding ball of the future King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and boasts a unique mechanical system that raises the floor to stage level. Today the Opera is still used for concerts and opera performances.

Park geometry

Spread over 100 hectares, the garden of Versailles is the largest palace garden in Europe. It was created in the 17th century by landscape gardener André Le Nôtre, who designed what can be considered the quintessential French formal garden. The garden is laid out in a geometric pattern created by paths, shrubs, flower beds and trees. Le Nôtre also drained the swampy, sloping terrain and created a series of basins and a large canal known as the Grand Canal.

Latona Fountain

Several fountains decorate the pools. The most famous are the Latona Fountain - with a statue of the goddess Latona - and the Apollo Fountain - named after the sun god and depicting the sun king riding on chariots. There are several other fountains in the garden, such as the Neptune Fountain. The fountains were installed to entertain the many guests invited to King Louis XIV's lavish organized balls.

Another notable feature in the garden is the Colonnade, a circular row of marble columns designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart.

Petit Trianon

Versailles also has several smaller palaces located in the garden: the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon. About 10,000 people worked at the Palace of Versailles, so privacy could not be counted on. Therefore, King Louis XIV ordered the construction of the Grand Trianon, a palace almost as luxurious as the main palace, where the king could escape the formalities of the court and have a tryst with his mistress. His successor, King Louis XV, later built an even smaller palace - Petit Trianon - for the same reason.