During our stay in France, we had the opportunity to visit the grand Palace of Versailles. Located in the French countryside, it is fourteen miles (about an hours train ride) from Paris. Experiencing it firsthand was one of the many high points of our trip. 
The Palace of Versailles is a pristine example of 17th century art and architecture and, as such, has been dubbed a World Heritage Site for the last thirty years. Once the hunting lodge of King Louis XIII, it was renovated and enlarged in 1682 by his son, King Louis XIV. During his reign, King Louis XIV decided that the French court, as well as the government, should be held at Versailles. After gazing upon the vastness of the palace and the delicate symmetrical proportions of the many gardens, we can see why it was a place of power until the French Revolution in 1789. Along with its historical significance, it is also a museum full of paintings and sculptures that depict notable citizens and events from France’s eventful history.
Since the palace and grounds are immense, we decided to take a specialized tour. We were most grateful for this decision, as we had a wonderful time wandering around all of Versailles without getting lost. Throughout the day, we were able to experience the richness of the Royal Apartments and the Royal Opera House, the stunning Hall of Mirrors, as well as many other lovely areas within the palace.
The Royal Apartments of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, the last rulers of the French monarchy, have been restored and appear exactly as they did in the eighteenth century. During their reign, the King and Queen each had their own private and public rooms decorated to match their individual styles. They’re all richly and lavishly decorated with gold trimmings, ornate wooden furnishings, intricate hardwood floors, and delicate tapestries. The Royal Apartments are enormous – the Queen’s Apartment alone has seventeen rooms! Although it took awhile to see everything, we barely noticed the passing of time, intrigued as we were by learning about the history of the French rulers.
The Royal Opera House is another beautiful structure located within the borders of Versailles. After its construction in 1770, it was the biggest concert hall on the European continent. Designed by the famous architect, Jacques-Ange Gabriel, it incorporated the greatest innovations of the time and resulted in one of the most exquisite structures created during the eighteenth century. It could be used for a variety of purposes, such as a theater hall, a banquet hall, and a ballroom. It was first used for the wedding feast of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. It has since been renovated and is now used to host various shows and concerts.
Versailles is also famous for the ceremonial Hall of Mirrors, which is located in the central gallery of the palace. During the reign of the French monarchy, many important events such as marriages, births, costume balls, and embassies took place within this hall. In recent history, one of the most notable events that occurred in the Hall of Mirrors was the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which took place after World War I in 1919. Another interesting fact is that this hall is still used by the French government today. The entire length of the hall is full of ornate gold embellishments, lively scenes painted on the ceiling, and crystal chandeliers. During the rule of King Louis XVI, it was lit with over three thousand candles. The name itself is derived from the seventeen mirrors that stand opposite seventeen different windows, each of which gives a glorious view of the many gardens that surround the Palace.
After our tour finished, we took our time walking around the beautiful gardens, which are full of flowers and plants set in different geometric designs. One of the pride and joys of the French is their love of perfectly manicured landscapes and Versailles’ gardens are a pristine example. Displayed in the classic French style, the gardens span more than two thousand acres. Fountains, sculptures, and other decorations adorn individual plots of land, making each area unique. In the fall, the museum hosts the Grandes Eaux, a wonderful show in which the water of the fountains is choreographed to classical music. We didn’t get to see the show when we were there, a fact we are still disappointed about, but we will most definitely make the effort to view the performance the next time we go to Versailles.
The Palace of Versailles is an enchanting place to visit and we’re so glad we got to experience it during our time in France. For anyone traveling to this part of the world, this glorious palace is a must see! 😀
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