What began in the 1660s as the hunting lodge of Louis XIII became, in the hands of Louis XIV, the most opulent, most expensive, most copied palace in the world, taking more than 32,000 workmen to construct, with a housing capacity of 20,000. Louis XIV brought his court with him to Versailles and entertained them lavishly. Of the many wings, on the first floor is the Midi Wing (the North Wing) which housed the Queen's Apartment, King's Apartment (with rooms named The Venus Salon, The Mercury Salon, etc.), State Apartments, Battle Galleries, Royal Chapel, Opera Room, and the Dauphine's Apartments, to name a few. The second-floor North Wing housed the apartments of Mme. DuBarry and Mme. de Pompadour.
There are six "Grands Appartements" all with distinctive wall paintings and artwork. Some of the more interesting rooms are the Queens Bedroom (where queens gave birth in full public view), the 233-foot-long Hall of Mirrors where grand state occasions were held and where the Treaty of Versailles was ratified, ending World War I. Louis XV (Louis XIV's great-grandson) also spent money and morals lavishly, keeping a mistress, Mme. de Pompadour, who seemed to outspend the king. By the time Louis XVI came along with his Queen Marie Antoinette, the dye was cast--Revolution.
Louis-Philippe prevented the destruction of Versailles by turning it into a museum by using some of his own not-so-hard-earned money and donations from around the globe which still continue today.
A statue of Louis XIV stands in the middle of Ministers Courtyard marking the spot where the Royal Courtyard began. There are famous outbuildings such as Petite Trianon--a favorite of Marie Antoinette--and The Orangerie to protect exotic plants during winter.
A little more than 15 minutes from Paris, plan on a day spent at Versailles to picnic and enjoy the beauty of the palace and the grounds. Day passes are available. Catch the RER (regional express) line C and ride to the Versailles Rive Gauche station and from there a shuttle bus to the chateau.
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