What is the Versailles complex. Reasons for the construction of the royal palace at Versailles. Components of the palace and park area

Versailles (Versailles) - the former residence of the French kings, now a village located near Paris. The story began with Louis XIV, who turned the territory for hunting into a palace and park ensemble.

Louis Leveau was the first architect to turn the king's dreams into reality, after which Jules Hardouin-Mont-Sart excelled. The latter tortured the workers and the treasury for thirty years. It was here that the entire royal court settled, it was here that numerous balls and brilliant festivities were held.

The area of the park territory of Versailles occupies 101 hectares. Thanks to a whole system of canals, the village is called "little Venice". On the territory there is a huge number of observation platforms, alleys, promenades.

How to get to Versailles

You can get to Versailles from three stations.

From Gare Saint-Lazare (gare de Paris-Saint-Lazare):

By train on line L to Gare de Viroflay Rive Droite station, and by bus number 171 from Gabriel Peri metro station to the castle. You will need to walk a short distance, about 500 meters. Total time on the way about 1 hour.
By train on line L to Versailles - Rive Droite station. The station is almost 2 km away from the castle, which will have to be walked. The total travel time will be approximately 1 hour.

From Gare d'Austerlitz train station:

The commuter train RER C takes you to the Gare de Versailles Château Rive Gauche station, which is 950 meters away from Versailles. This distance must be covered on foot.
The total travel time will be approximately 1 hour.

From the northern station (Gare du Nord)

First, on the Rer B train, you need to travel two stops to Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame station, then transfer to RER C and go to Gare de Versailles Château Rive Gauche
Upon arrival at the station, you will need to walk about 1 km to the park area. The total travel time is just over 1 hour.

You can drive to Versailles using a travel pass, a day pass (zones 1-5), and (zones 1-5) are also suitable.

A one-time ticket will cost 7.60 euros.

(55.00 €)
(70.00 €)

Accommodation in Versailles

The territory of Versailles is incredibly huge, there really is something to see here, so one day is not always enough to get around everything and enjoy a walk. To enjoy visiting the palace and park complex, take at least two days for a leisurely walk, without fuss. We bring to your attention hotels on the most favorable prices at Versailles.

Sights of Versailles

Very many Versailles are associated only with the castle of the same name. It is worth knowing that Versailles is large complex buildings, one might say a town in which all royal needs were provided.

Grand Trianon (Grand Trianon)

This is the royal palace in Versailles. The name went to the palace as a legacy from the ancient village of Trianon, formerly located on this territory. Here, Louis XIV rested from court life with Madame Maintenon. The construction of the Grand Trianon lasted 4 years (1687-1691) under the leadership of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, and Louis himself developed most of the architectural solutions on his own. Thus, a building decorated with pale pink marble appeared, decorated with a balustrade and huge arched windows.

The palace consists of two wings connected by a gallery - a peristyle, the project of which was developed by Robert de Cotte. The facade of the Grand Trianon overlooks a large courtyard. In this part of the building, the peristyle is made in the form of an exquisite arcade. Behind the palace is a park with lawns, fountains, ponds and flower arrangements. From this side, the peristyle is made in the form of double marble columns. The Grand Trianon Palace and Park Complex occupies 23 hectares and is open to tourists.

Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles)

This is not just the main attraction of the palace and park complex, but it is a symbol of an entire era in history. french monarchy, moreover, one of the largest in all respects. Initially, King Louis III liked the land in this part of the suburbs of Paris, but the idea of \u200b\u200bbuilding the Palace of Versailles belongs to his son, Louis XIV. Later, his grandson, Louis XV, also contributed to the image of the palace complex. The palace demonstrates the power of absolute power to the whole world. 800 hectares of swamps were dried to build the palace and the garden and park complex. Construction continued for more than half a century by the forces of the peasants and the national army; the cost of the palace in terms of modern currency cost hundreds of billions of euros. Finishing interior spaces dazzles with an abundance of luxury and unique works of art - frescoes and paintings, wood carvings, marble sculptures, handmade silk carpets, a lot of gold, crystal and mirrors. The splendor of the Versailles palace complex made a strong impression on Peter I, that after his visit the tsar conceived the construction of the famous ensemble in Peterhof.

When the monarchy fell, the bourgeoisie came to power, and the revolutionary-minded Duke of Orleans, Louis-Philippe of Versailles, took the crown in 1830, changed its status and became a museum, over time, the Museum of the History of France (Musée de l'Histoire de France). The revolutionary period did not have the best effect on the state of the Palace of Versailles. Many rooms were neglected, if not completely destroyed, and furniture and works of art were looted. Restoration work began immediately after the revolution, at the behest of Louis Philippe. Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was also concerned about the fate of the building and regularly allocated funds for its repair. Gradually, the Hall of Mirrors and the luxurious golden panels of the palace were restored, some of the stolen works of art were returned, some of the canvases and interior items had to be created anew. The restoration of Versailles continues - a large-scale the reconstruction of the palace, which began in 1952 and lasted almost 30 years, did not solve all the problems. Therefore, in 2003, the French authorities announced the beginning of a 17-year restoration of Versailles. Already now, the original layout of the Versailles gardens has been completely restored, and the royal lattice has again shone with gold in the inner Marble Court.

Versailles Park (Parc de Versailles)

Unique landscape compositions, which are considered perhaps the most exquisite in the world. In 1661, in parallel with the construction of the palace, King Louis XIV commissioned the landscape architect André Le Nôtre to create a park that would not only be in harmony with the grandeur of the royal buildings, but also surpass all known parks in terms of luxury. The construction of the Versailles Park took more than 40 years, but The monarch was pleased with the result - a breathtaking panorama opened immediately upon exiting the palace through the Marble Court.

After the French Revolution, it was decided to open a museum in the Palace of Versailles, and since then, walks along the picturesque alleys royal park available to all tourists.

Ball game hall (Salle du Jeu de paume)

From an architectural point of view, it is not particularly remarkable, although it was built next to the Palace of Versailles back in 1686. It is possible that in the annals of history this room would have remained as a place where royal sports took place. But Fate decreed differently ... Life at the court of the French kings of the 17th century was described by contemporaries as endless receptions with a series of entertainment events. Such a pastime meant not only balls and enchanting performances, but also sports.

Known throughout the world, the Sun King was very fond of playing ball, a kind of analogue of tennis of that time. The courtiers actively supported their monarch in this hobby, therefore, the Ball Game Hall was a fairly popular place. However, the Ball Game Hall received worldwide fame for a completely different reason - in this room in 1789, representatives of the French townspeople, led by Jean Bailly, swore a solemn oath to preserve their alliance to create a constitution for the kingdom.

Today, the Games Hall houses a museum whose exposition tells about the historical event that brought the French Revolution closer: a sculpture of Jean Bailly speaking, busts of deputies and a huge canvas depicting the Constituent Assembly at the moment of taking the oath.

Small Trianon (Petit Trianon)

Modern historians believe that the palace was built by Louis XV for the Marquise de Pompadour as a sign of the monarch's favor. The palace was designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, a court architect, a supporter of classicism. Construction lasted about 6 years and was completed in 1768. The building turned out to be small, simple, architecturally consistent - without the pretentious decor inherent in the architecture of the first half of the 18th century, but the interior decoration of the Petit Trianon is made in the rococo style.

The two-story palace looks very elegant - classic French windows, pilasters and an Italian balustrade at the top, Corinthian columns and a wide stone terrace at the base.

Today the Petit Trianon is a museum dedicated to Queen Marie Antoinette. Its exposition presents paintings of the 18th century, as well as furniture and interior items that restore the atmosphere characteristic of that era.

Municipal Museum Lambinet (Musée Lambinet)

Dedicated to the history of the city, located near the Palace of Versailles, erected in 1750. The project of a three-story building, developed by Elie Blanchard, provided for all the style features characteristic of that time - French windows, small balconies with patterned lattices and a crown of the facade, a classic pediment with sculptural composition allegorical themes.

In 1852, the mansion became the property of Victor Lambinet, whose descendants, 80 years later, donated the building to the city to organize a museum in it. Today, the exposition of the Lambine Museum presents three areas - the history of the development of the city, captured in documents from different eras, a collection of art objects of the 16th-20th centuries and the reconstruction of the interiors of the 18th century. , furniture, sculptures and many interior items - gilded clocks and candelabra, dishes, crystal lamps and vases complete the atmosphere, returning visitors to the atmosphere of the XVIII century.

Former Royal Hospital (Ancien Hôpital Royal de Versailles)

Also known as the Richaud Hospital (Hôpital Richaud), located near the local railway station; received the status historical monument relatively recently - in 1980. Under Louis XIII, there was a need for buildings of a social nature - in 1636 a small almshouse was built, which existed on rather modest funds received from charitable communities. Under Louis XV, the almshouse was transformed into a royal hospital financed by the treasury. The premises of the hospital were rebuilt and significantly expanded by order of Louis XVI.

The project of the new building, executed by the architect Charles-Francois-d'Arnaudin, provided for 3 buildings: in the central part of the building, the elderly were accommodated, and in the two side ones, the sick. In addition, a church was erected next to the hospital, adjacent directly to the buildings, so that the sick could get to the church service without going outside. The service in the hospital was also at the level - excellent living conditions, good food and repeated cleaning. As a hospital, the building lasted until recently, and then part of it was sold to a transport company.

Cathedral of St. Louis (Cathédrale Saint-Louis)

It was originally conceived as an ordinary parish church.

However, in 1684, when after the destruction of the church of St. Julian of Briud, the southern part of Versailles was left without a church building, the chapel built in its place had to be given, albeit temporary, but the status of a parish church. And since, along with the status, the name came - the church of St. Louis, it was decided to build a real church worthy of bearing the name of the angel of crowned monarchs. In 1742, the project of the future cathedral was approved by Louis XV and construction began. It is curious that the author of the project was the hereditary architect Jacques Hardouin Mansart, the grandson of the same Jules Mansart, who “invented”, at one time Palace of Versailles.

Construction dragged on for a long time and ended 12 years later. The king was not present at the inauguration of the new church - the day before, on August 23, 1754, an heir, the future king Louis XVI, was born to his majesty. But on the other hand, a year later, the monarch compensated for the lack of attention by giving the church 6 bells with the names of the royal heirs. A large organ appeared in the Versailles Cathedral in 1761, and also, thanks to the mercy of the king, Louis personally controlled the production of the instrument by the best master of that time, Francois Henri Clicquot. True, the Church of St. Louis received the status of the Cathedral much later - in 1843. Today, the Versailles Cathedral is not only a place for regular Catholic masses, but also a kind of concert venue for contemporary chamber music performers.

Gosha Lyceum (Lycée Hoche)

A functioning educational institution located in the historic building of Versailles.

The building, within the walls of which the Gosh Lyceum was subsequently located, was erected according to the project of Richard Mika, the personal royal architect and a great admirer of neoclassicism. The Ursulines Monastery (Couvent de la Reine), founded in 1766, was called upon to fulfill a very important mission - to provide an acceptable education for girls whose parents served in the royal court. For 20 years, the monastery, supervised by the queen, enjoyed great success, during this period hundreds of girls received an excellent education. But in 1789, after the departure of the royal family from Versailles, both the monastery and its activities gradually fell into decay, and after the French Revolution it completely changed its profile and turned into a military hospital.

The authorities of Versailles remembered the successful reputation of the former monastery in matters of upbringing and education in 1802, when the issue of educating children from wealthy families became acute. A year later, a secondary school opens in the building. And some time later, the reconstruction of its premises began, after which in 1888 a new French lyceum was opened, named Gosh, in honor of General Lazar Gosh, who was born in Versailles. The Lyceum has been successfully functioning to this day. And among its graduates there are many celebrities, including the former President of France, Jacques Chirac.

Foreign Affairs Mansion (Hôtel des Affaires Etrangères)

It stands out among the historical buildings of Versailles not only as an object of architectural art, but also as a room where negotiations took place, thanks to which the Treaty of Versailles and Paris were signed. Thus was put an end to the war for the independence of the US colonies in 1783. The order for the construction of the mansion came in 1761 from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France during the reign of Louis XV - Francois Choiseul. The main part of the building was planned to be used as a room for storing archives, and it was convenient to place auxiliary services of the ministry in the remaining rooms. The development of the project was entrusted to Jean-Baptiste Berthier, an architect favored by the king.

And as it turned out, not in vain - the four-storey building of the brick and stone mansion has a very representative appearance not only from the outside, but also from the inside. The facade of the building, according to the style of that time, is decorated with ornamented pilasters in the form of symbols of monarchism, the top of which is crowned with statues depicting War and Peace. The entrance to the building is an impressive door with richly gilded decor. The interior decoration of the premises has been partially preserved in its original form - the main gallery of the first floor with its wooden panels and gold trim, archival cabinets built into the walls. Now the municipal library is located here, some of the books of which still remember the Palace of Versailles and their first owners - the kings.

Church of Our Lady (Eglise Notre-Dame)

It rises next to the Palace of Versailles not by chance: the palace was listed in the official parish of the church, therefore, all the main events in the life of the royal family took place within its walls. It was here that the newborn heirs of the king were baptized, and also the monarch's relatives were married or carried off on their last journey. The urgent need to have the opportunity to visit the church in the vicinity arose from Louis XIV in parallel with moving to the Palace of Versailles. Being an ardent supporter of Catholicism, the king first of all took care of his spiritual refuge.

Louis entrusted the creation of the project to his trusted architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, and in 1684 the construction of the church began. For 2 years, the Versailles Church of the Virgin was completely built.

Judging by the records of the parish book, representatives of the monarchical dynasty visited the church regularly. From the point of view of architects, the Church of Our Lady is a vivid embodiment of the traditions of French classicism, from the point of view of parishioners and tourists visiting the church, it is a little massive, but surprisingly beautiful and harmonious a two-tier building. And under the pediment crowning the church with a symbolic image of angels holding the royal crown above the sun, there is a clock, the gilded hands of which count the time in the same rhythmic way as in the time of Louis XIV.

Madame Elisabeth's Castle (Château du domaine de Montreuil)

That was the name of his last mistress - Elizabeth of France, the granddaughter of Louis XV and the sister of the last French monarch. XII century. At first, it was a fortress, then, at the behest of Charles VI, a Celestine monastery. Centuries later, the estate became part of Versailles - Louis XVI bought it to give to his beloved younger sister. It was then that these lands, with an area of 8 hectares, received their new name - the estate of Madame Elizabeth.

The castle where the princess spent most of his life, is distinguished neither by the originality of architectural solutions, nor by the richness of the exterior. Visually, the building can be divided into three parts - two symmetrical three-story buildings connected by a two-level pavilion. But for Elizabeth, the external decoration did not play a special role - she sincerely cared about people and even opened a special room in the palace in which the doctor received the poor to give them necessary help. When the French Revolution began, the patriotic Elizabeth did not want to leave the country and people close to her, and shared the fate of the royal family, sentenced to death.

City Hall

It appeared in Versailles only in the 18th century, when orders ceased to come from the Palace of Versailles regarding the way of life of the townspeople. In 1670, a mansion was built for the French Marshal Bernardin Gigot. In fact, this building, which in the future was to become the building of the city administration of Versailles, was a real palace, the main entrance of which, according to etiquette, was turned towards the royal palace. It is not surprising that when the opportunity presented itself, Louis XIV immediately acquired this mansion for his illegitimate daughter of the Princess de Conti. From that moment on, it has become a tradition to hold magnificent receptions, balls and just any festivities in the mansion-palace. This continued even after the princess was replaced by a new owner, the nephew of Louis XV, Louis IV Henry, better known as the Duke of Bourbon-Conde. But the French Revolution swept through the country like a hurricane, destroying to the ground not only the old political system but also many associated buildings. Conti's mansion was also among the objectionable. The building, in which the modern local administration of Versailles now performs its duties, although it was built on the same site, is just a stylization of the era of Louis XIII. But this is the first real Town Hall of Versailles.

Theater Montansier

It was built on the initiative of Queen Marie Antoinette and with the full approval of King Louis XV. However, the authorship of the idea of creating a new theater hall in France belongs to the talented actress Madame Montansier. The theatrical experience of Madame Montansier before meeting the French queen was not the most successful: either her ideas did not find a response, or success haunted her competitors. Nevertheless, Madame Montansier persistently sought the opportunity to realize her dream - the creation of a theater that was not like the ones already known. Thanks to her connections at court, Madame Montansier achieved an acceptance with the queen and was able to arouse her interest in her plan.

The new theater opened in November 1777 at Versailles, next to the royal palace. The solemn ceremony was attended not only by Marie Antoinette, but also by King Louis XV himself, who was pleased with his visit to the theater. The semicircular shape of the stage, excellent acoustics, realistic scenery and the use of mechanisms, which at that time was regarded as innovation. The decoration of the hall did not go unnoticed either - thanks to the pale blue background of the interior, the gilded decor elements looked very solemn. And the opportunity direct exit from the theater directly to the royal palace finally disposed the king to the Theater.

Today, the Montansier Theater is an officially registered institution as well as an officially recognized historical monument.

Tickets to Versailles

There are several types of tickets: passports for one or two days, as well as tickets for visiting individual attractions.

One day ticket: 20 euros
Ticket for two days: 25 euros
One Day Ticket with Musical Gardens (April-October): €27
Ticket for two days with a visit to the musical gardens (April-October): 30 euros
Ticket to the Palace of Versailles: 18 euros
Ticket to the Grand and Petit Trianon: 12 euros

How to get there

Address: Place d'Armes, Paris 78000
Website: chateauversailles.fr
RER train: Versailles - Chateau

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 building 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, having outlived his creator, his creation was successfully used by descendants, but “intrigue-weaving” reached its heyday under Marie Antoinette.

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

Sasha Mitrahovich 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 "King's Gate" - a gilded lattice decorated with royal attributes, a coat of arms and a crown.

The second floor is intended for the royal family - on the north side there were the Large Salons of the King, there are seven of them, and on the south there were the chambers of 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 people, 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, festivities and royal marriages were held here.

The Mirror Gallery got its name from 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 Mitrahovich 02.01.2016 11:07

Opposite is the Armory Square, from which three alleys originate, separated by two buildings - the Large and Small stables, which simultaneously housed up to 2500 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 Mitrahovich 02.01.2016 11:11

Immediately outside the fence is the first of the three successive courtyards, the so-called Ministerial Court, in the depths of which stands a statue of Louis XIV. Through the second court, the Royal, royal carriages drove in, and the last court, Marbre, is surrounded by the buildings of the original building of Louis XIII. From the side opposite the entrance, one of the most beautiful facades, 580 m long, faces the park.

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

The central pavilion was intended for the royal family, the two side wings - for the blood princes, and the attic - 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 Mitrahovich 02.01.2016 11:14

After the second gallery on the top floor is the Chapel dedicated to St. Louis of France. This room, richly decorated with white and gold moldings, is considered the 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 canvases by Veronese “Christ's Supper 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 a typical example of the Louis XV style, where preference was given to the use of valuable materials.

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

Sasha Mitrahovich 02.01.2016 11:19

Gardens deserve special attention, this is the clearest example of the breakdown of the 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 get to the fountain of Latona (1670), this wonderful fountain is decorated with figures of the goddess Diana, Apollo and Latona, this triad sits on concentric pools set by a pyramid.

Tapi-Ver alley starts from the fountain, it will lead to another magnificent fountain of Apollo, where Tubi (1671) depicted a divine chariot harnessed by four horses, which breaks out of the water, and at that time the newts blow their shells, announcing the coming of god. The lawns behind the Apollo Fountain end at the Grand Canal (120 m wide), which stretches for 1560 m and ends with a large pool.

The Palace of Versailles was political capital France for over a century and home to the royal court from 1682 to 1789. Today the palace complex is one of the most popular tourist attractions.

Myths and facts

Shrouded in many legends, Versailles became a symbol of the absolute monarchy of Louis XIV. According to legend, the young king decided to build a new palace outside the city, as the Louvre in Paris was not safe at that time. And since 1661, in the city of Versailles, now a suburb of Paris, Louis began the transformation of a modest hunting lodge into a sparkling palace. To do this, it was necessary to drain more than 800 hectares of swamps (the entire territory occupied by the complex), where entire forests were transferred to create 100 hectares of gardens, alleys, flower beds, lakes and fountains.

The Palace of Versailles served as the political center of France. It became home to 6,000 courtiers! Louis XIV lulled his subjects with lavish entertainment and royal favors. So Louis tried to get away from the political intrigues of Paris, so he created a place where the aristocracy could live under his watchful eye. The grandiose size of the palace and the wealth on display demonstrated the absolute power of the monarch.

The construction of the palace required about 30,000 workers and 25 million livres, which in total amounted to 10,500 tons of silver (according to experts, in modern money, this amount is 259.56 billion euros). This is despite the fact that the construction was carried out with extreme frugality and at the lowest prices, which is why many fireplaces subsequently did not work, windows did not close, and it was extremely uncomfortable to live in the palace in winter. But the nobles were forced to live under the supervision of Louis, as those who left the Palace of Versailles lost their ranks and privileges.

What to see

The architectural complex embodied the ideas of absolutism - ideally calculated, lined with a ruler. In the main building are the Great Halls and Bedrooms, decorated by Charles Lebrun with ostentatious luxury. Every corner, ceiling and walls of the palace are covered with detailed and marble, decorated with frescoes, paintings, sculptures, velvet draperies, silk carpets, gilded bronze and tinted glass. These salons are dedicated to Greek deities such as Hercules and Mercury. The room of Apollo, god of the sun, Louis chose as the throne room of the Sun King (as Louis XIV was called in France).

The most spectacular of all is the Hall of Mirrors. On the wall 70 meters long there are 17 huge mirrors with gilded lamp sculptures between them. In those days, carefully polished brass or metal was still used as mirrors in France. Especially for the construction of the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the French Minister of Finance, brought Venetian workers to start the production of mirrors in France.

It was here, in the Hall of Mirrors, that the famous Versailles Treaty between Germany and the Allied Powers was signed in 1919, which decided the fate of the post-war. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette married in 1770 in the white and gold baroque chapel. The Palace of Versailles is also famous for its opera and theater with a huge oval hall lit by 10,000 candles.

No less interesting is the surroundings of the palace. It took legions of workers and genius to create the gardens at Versailles landscape designer Andre Le Nôtre, who embodied the standard of French classicism. The palace park, even during construction, tried to copy the monarchs, (),. But no one has been able to surpass the scope and beauty of the Versailles park.

The central axis of the garden is Grand Canal 1.6 km long with a western orientation so that the setting sun is reflected in the water surface. Geometrically trimmed trees, flower beds, paths, ponds and lakes are planted around it. By the time construction was completed, the park had 1,400 fountains. The most impressive of them is the chariot - another monument to the glory of the Sun King.

Along the sides of the alleys stretch groves, where the courtiers danced in the summer against the backdrop of garden stones, shells and decorative lamps. Marble and bronze statues line the paths. In winter, more than 3,000 trees and shrubs were transferred to the greenhouse of Versailles.

Two smaller palaces stand on the opposite side of the garden. Louis XIV built the pink marble Great Trianon as a break from the etiquette of court life ("Trianon" means a place for solitude, a quiet pastime). In the main palace, for example, the king used to dine alone in front of hundreds of spectators. Solemn dinners were held strictly according to the protocol of the corresponding rank. For the preparation of constant banquets in the palace, 2,000 workers were kept in the kitchen.

The Petit Trianon was a love nest built by Louis XV for Madame du Barry. Later, this neoclassical mini-palace appealed to Marie Antoinette, who also wanted to hide from the rigid formality in the main palace. Nearby, for the entertainment of Marie Antoinette, a tiny village with a dairy farm was built. Small houses with thatched roofs, a water mill and lakes corresponded to the royal fantasy of peasant life.

Ironically, the lavish gifts and frivolity of this queen, after such a costly construction of the palace complex, practically liquidated the treasury of France and led to the fall of the royal monarchy in 1789.

If you expect to spend the whole day here, it is better to purchase a combined ticket for 21.75 euros, which includes travel and admission to all and parks of the complex. You will find similar combined offers in the castles of Fontainebleau, d "Over and the Louvre. Do not forget to visit, whose popularity can only compete with.

The Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles) is open from April to October: from 9.00 to 18.30 daily, except Mondays (tickets close at 17.50). The garden is open daily from 8.00 to 20.30. In winter: from 9.00 to 17.30. Garden - until 18.00.
Cost: 15 euros (including the use of an audio guide in one of 10 languages). School-age children and EU students - 13 euros. Every first Sunday in winter, admission to the museum is free.
A complex ticket costs 18 euros (visiting the palace, the Small and Big Trianons). During the Musical and Fountain Festivals, the cost of a combined ticket is 25 euros.
How to get there: by metro to the station Versailles-Rive Gauche, located 15 minutes. walk.
Official site:

And a cultural upsurge. The great monarch is especially famous as the customer of the most beautiful palace in the world. The merit of the king is that today everyone knows where Versailles is and what it is. But what is known about this monumental structure itself? It will be interesting to get acquainted with its history and touch the legends that it witnessed. Moreover, France was famous for intrigues and palace secrets throughout Europe.

From an unknown village to the center of the country

The Louvre is now one of the most prestigious museums in the world and was once the home of French monarchs. It was within its walls that important treaties were signed and complex interstate issues were resolved. Louis XIV partly spent his childhood there. But the man never had a special love for either Paris or the Louvre.

The official reason for moving the residence was the fear of the king for his life. He stated that in the capital he felt in constant danger, so the suburb of Paris would become the new palace. Then, in 1661, no one had any idea where Versailles was. But after a few years, the fame of the brilliant residence of the Sun King spread throughout Europe.

For the first time, these regions are mentioned in 1038. For more than five hundred years, the place was just a tiny settlement, overgrown with forests and covered with impenetrable swamps. There was a lot of game on these lands, and the father of Louis XIV liked to hunt there. On his initiative, in 1623, a hunting house was built on one of the meadows. There, Louis XIII, nicknamed the Just, often rested with his son.

The first stone is laid - envy

Despite statements about the danger posed by the Louvre, the courtiers knew perfectly well the true reason for the construction of a new residence.

The history of Versailles began on August 17, 1661. It was on this evening, 55 kilometers from Paris, that Finance Minister Nicolas Fouquet organized a housewarming reception. The castle of Vaux-le-Viscount with gardens of unprecedented beauty became the new home. The palace immediately took the lead and ... overtook the Louvre. Unheard of audacity!

Louis XIV was also present at the celebration. He was struck by the grandeur and wealth of the estate, moreover, it aroused envy. Another unpleasant moment was the pride of the owner. That same evening, without waiting for the feast to be completed, the king informed the architects Louis Le Vaux, Jules Hardouin-Mansart and the park planner André Le Nôtre, who were working on the Vaux-le-Vicomte project, that from that moment they were under his direction. Their task is to create an object that will be worthy of His Majesty. It was these three people who were the first to know where Versailles was located.

First obstacles

The masters were friends and understood each other perfectly. The demand that the king put forward was a great honor and ... a significant risk. The first wish of the customer: to leave a modest hunting lodge which was laid by his father. The 24 by 6 meter building was a big challenge for architects.

The garden projector also ran into trouble. Swampy, dense forests required extraordinary strength to create parks out of them that looked like paradise. But the main obstacle was the king himself. He demanded that everything be done with high quality and in the shortest possible time. It was supposed that it would be not just a palace, but a chic ensemble, so beautiful that it would never even occur to anyone to ask: "Where is Versailles?" As conceived by Louis, this was to be the place where heaven meets earth.

The work began with the construction of houses for thousands of builders in the village. Louis XIV himself, meanwhile, was buying up the surrounding land.

Heart of France

For the magnificent castle, they chose the styles of baroque and classicism. The main facade of the palace is a mirror gallery. Its windows overlooked the park, and the parallel wall, hung with fashionable Venetian glass at that time, which was then considered the cleanest, reflected the schemes of the garden.

The main palace housed the ballrooms and bedrooms of the nobility. Each centimeter was decorated with taste. The walls were decorated with wooden carvings, frescoes, paintings, sculptures stood in the niches. Not uncommon - silver and gold in the rooms. In the front palace was the bedroom of the king himself. On both sides were the halls of Versailles.

Another reason for the construction of such a huge complex was Louis XIV. A supporter of absolute monarchy wanted to keep all subjects under control. In such a grandiose palace, where 20,000 subjects could fit, the goal became real. But here it is worth noting that spacious apartments were provided to noble nobles, favorites and favorites, the servants lived in tiny closets.

halls of the gods

The pride of the residence was the Mirror Gallery. Its length reached 73 meters, width - 11 m. 357 mirrors created an optical illusion. It seemed that the park was laid out on both sides of the palace. The hall was decorated with paintings and frescoes, gilded statues and crystal chandeliers.

Then every poor man knew where Versailles was. The king allowed everyone to visit it, because he was sure that it was the pride of all France. Every commoner could turn to the monarch within the walls of the palace.

Halls that were named after the Greek and Tak were very popular. The Diana Hall was used at receptions as a billiard room. All tables were covered in expensive crimson velour, with gold fringe around the edges.

The Apollo Hall served for diplomatic negotiations. In the evenings, skits were shown in it, in which the Sun King himself took part. There was also a French military glory room.

André Le Nôtre designed the royal gardens. Researchers believe that the splendor of the park is associated with the very person of Louis XIV. The fields covered 8300 hectares. Each composition harmoniously fit into the ensemble. The monarch did not want to wait years for the trees and bushes to grow, so they were partially transported from other lands, including pure ones and from Vaux-le-Vicomte.

The layout of Versailles resembles the rays of the sun, radiating from the center into alleys and squares. So the chief gardener wanted to exalt the Sun King Louis XIV.

Thousands of soldiers worked on the canals and fountains, which became known as "Little Venice". There was not enough water for such a mass of pools, so they made special straits from neighboring rivers.

Financial side

The favorite phrase of the monarch was the saying: "The state is me!" It was from these considerations that the treasury immediately found money for construction. But with the continuation of the work, the question of where to get the funds arose more and more often. Initially, a thousand peasants worked at the construction site. In the future, more than 30,000 builders were involved. In times of peace, the king's soldiers also took up the tools.

Of course, there were no casualties. Hundreds crashed to death on the foundations of the castle. It became even more when the brigades began to work according to the schedule. People worked day and night. Construction in the dark has become fatal for many.

For a long time, the truth was hidden from the king. When the information surfaced, he, not sparing the budget, began to pay compensation to the victims and their families.

Nevertheless, they tried to save on everything. Dozens of fireplaces didn't work. Doors and windows did not fit snugly. This created inconvenience for residents in winter. The castle was very cold.

For a long time, each inhabitant of the palace could rebuild their apartments to their liking. But during the Nine Years' War, all the repair costs fell on the shoulders of the nobles.

Today, several centuries later, it is difficult to estimate the full cost of the palace. And there is no documentary evidence.

The fate of the residence after Louis XIV

The project was the favorite brainchild of the king, because he himself participated in its planning. The palace is not only the court secrets of Versailles, but also events of world significance. Conspiracies and intrigues were woven there, close to the monarch, and the members themselves laughed and cried, loved and hated, there they decided the fate of mere mortals and entire states ...

Two subsequent rulers lived in Versailles. But, due to political and economic upheavals, already in 1789 it was difficult to maintain the palace. The halls were used only as museum rooms.

After losing the Franco-German War, the Hall of Mirrors was proclaimed. A few decades later, the same room witnessed the truce and the loss of the Triple Alliance.

You can't visit France and not visit Versailles. It's not just architecture, it's a dream come true. A symbol of the fact that a person can absolutely everything. The main thing is to have a firm faith in the future and quite a bit of determination to use your chance. If you ever find yourself in France, be sure to visit Versailles. Reviews of tourists about this miracle of architecture are simply enthusiastic. This palace and park ensemble is the most luxurious royal residence in Europe. Huge buildings, spacious squares, large terraces with direct access to the park, galleries, ideal lawns, symmetrical paths, hedges, iridescent flower beds, sparkling fountains - all this was created in Versailles for the amusement of the king, his family, favorites and courtiers.

Category: Paris

The amazing thing is ambition! If not for them, the world would never have seen the Palace of Versailles, this priceless gift of the French nation to enlightened humanity. The palace and park ensemble of Versailles (fr. Parc et château de Versailles) is a luxurious, pretentious symbol of the French monarchy and, in particular, the era of the reign of the "Sun King", Louis XIV.

The idea of building a palace and park complex arose from the monarch on the basis of envy, which he experienced at the sight of the castle in Vaux-le-Vicomte, which belonged to the Minister of Finance Fouquet. Louis XIV immediately decided to create an architectural and landscape masterpiece, a hundred times greater than the minister's palace in size and degree of luxury. And he imprisoned his subject, the owner of the residence in Vaux-le-Vicomte.

As a result, in 1662, the architects Louis Leveau, André Le Nôtre and the artist Charles Lebrun began work on the construction of the castle, which lasted until 1715, the year of the death of the "sun king". However, the construction did not end there. Architects Leveau, Francois d "Aubray, Lemercier, Hardouin-Mansart, Lemuet, Guittar, Blondel, Dorbay, Robert de Cotte, Lassurance and a whole galaxy of great masters worked on its appearance at different times.

The majestic synthesis of the palace and the park later passed from one dynasty of monarchs to another, and each of the royal inhabitants of Versailles made its own imprint on its architecture and interior decoration.

Construction stages

Historical chronicles allow us to distinguish three stages in the construction of the Palace of Versailles.

The beginning of the first stage coincided with the twentieth anniversary of Louis XIV. The young monarch decided to expand his father's hunting castle to use it as a royal residence. A team of famous architects expanded and renovated the castle buildings in the spirit of classicism.

The second phase of the construction of the Versailles complex began after Louis XIV reached the age of thirty. During this period, a new palace was erected, surrounding the old castle like a shell or an envelope. The result was a U-shaped structure, which included two main courtyards: Marble and Royal. Subsequently, theatrical life was in full swing here. The premiere of Moliere's play "The Misanthrope" took place here, in the historical walls of the Marble Court of the Palace of Versailles.

The third stage started immediately after the king's fortieth birthday, in 1678. Hardouin-Mansart, who led the further construction, set himself an ambitious goal - to speed up the progress of work as much as possible in order to fulfill the wish of the monarch. The royal court and the government of France in 1682 moved to Versailles. Through the efforts of Hardouin-Mansart, the appearance of the palace has changed markedly. It has two Ministerial Wings and huge North and South Wings.

Even during his lifetime, Hardouin-Mansart began the construction of the Royal Chapel, which was completed by his successor Robert de Cotte.

Versailles in numbers

Located in the suburbs of Paris small town Today most people associate Versailles exclusively with the Royal Palace of Versailles - the apotheosis of pandering to the extravagant whims of the French monarchs.

The total area of the palace and park complex is over 800 hectares.
Distance from Paris - 20 km.
The number of halls of the palace - 700; number of windows - 2000; stairs - 67; fireplaces alone - 1300.
The atmosphere of the palace-museum is made up of 5,000 pieces of antique furniture.
30,000 workers were involved in the construction.
The 50 fountains of the Versailles Park consume 62 hectoliters of water per hour. For their work, a special water intake system was built from the Seine.
The park is home to 200,000 trees and 220,000 flowers are planted annually.
The total amount of funds spent on the construction of the palace is 25,725,836 livres, which is equivalent to 37 billion euros. It is noteworthy that all accounts for the period 1661-1715. have been preserved so far.
6,500 paintings and drawings, 15,000 engravings, more than 2,000 sculptures in the halls of the palace are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the nation.

Under Louis XIV, 10,000 people could live in the palace at the same time: 5,000 nobles and the same number of servants (servants). Despite the fact that the ensemble of Versailles is the largest in Europe, it is characterized by an amazing integrity of design, harmony of architectural forms and landscape solutions.

The splendor of the Palace of Versailles and the park surrounding it with well-groomed alleys and fountains inspired Peter I in 1717 to build his country residence in Peterhof, which later became known as the Russian Versailles.

Historical milestones

The history of the Palace of Versailles has many ups and downs, revolutionary upheavals, enemy intervention and periods of relative calm. Let's talk briefly about the main historical milestones of the former residence of the French kings.

Under the infant monarch Louis XV, his regent, Philippe d'Orleans, decided to move the French royal court back to Paris. Until 1722, Versailles was in decline, until the grown-up Louis XV again returned to the palace with all his retinue.

At the end of the XVIII century. Versailles was at the center of dramatic events French history. Fate decreed that it was this royal residence, full of luxury and chic, that became the cradle of the Great French Revolution. In June 1789 the deputies of the Third Estate solemnly vowed not to disperse until their demands for political reforms were accepted.

Three months later, a mob of revolutionaries arrived from Paris seized the palace and expelled the royal family from it. Over the next five years, the Faubourg of Versailles lost almost half of its population.

During the revolutionary events, the palace complex was looted, unique furniture and valuables were taken out of it, but the architecture of the buildings was not damaged.

Versailles was repeatedly captured by the Prussian troops: during the Napoleonic wars (in 1814 and 1815) and during the Franco-Prussian war. In January 1871, King Wilhelm I of Prussia established a temporary residence at Versailles and proclaimed the news of the creation of the German Empire.

The point in the First World War was put precisely in Versailles, where in 1919 a peace treaty was signed. This extremely important event was the beginning of the Versailles system of international relations.

Second World War caused serious damage to the palace and park complex. The inhabitants of Versailles had a chance to go through a lot: brutal bombings, Nazi occupation, numerous casualties among the locals. On August 24, 1944, the city was liberated by French troops, and new stage development.

There was a moment in the history of the castle when its fate hung in the balance. In 1830, after the July Revolution, it was planned to be demolished. The issue was put to a vote in the Chamber of Deputies. The advantage of just one vote saved the Palace of Versailles for history and posterity.

Family nest of aristocrats and kings

Many famous monarchs and members of their families were born and lived in the Palace of Versailles.

Philip V- the founder of the Spanish line of the Bourbons, thanks to which Spain for many years was entirely under the influence of France, was actually a French province.
Louis XV (Beloved)- a despotic and suggestible ruler, who was under the influence of his favorite, the Marquise de Pompadour, who skillfully played on the base instincts of the monarch, ruining the state with her extravagance. According to historians, it is he who owns the famous phrase "After us, even a flood."
Louis XVI, famous for his rejection of absolutism and becoming the first constitutional monarch in the history of France. Despite this, he ended his life on the scaffold, being accused of conspiracy against the freedom of the nation.
Louis XVIII, who left his mark on the history of the country as a shrewd politician and authoritative administrator, the author of many liberal reforms.
Charles X- known for his active counter-revolutionary activities after the fall of the Bastille and decisive measures to restore absolute monarchy in France.

Versailles - the triumph of aestheticism, the center of culture and art

The Palace of Versailles is surrounded by luxurious park ensemble, which has been delighting the minds and hearts of everyone who finds themselves there for several centuries. And this is not surprising, because. Initially, the palace complex was conceived as a chic place for the entertainment activities of the twenty-year-old king.

Harmonious and perfect park sculptures, wide promenades and graceful alleys, numerous fountains spewing tons of water served as magnificent decorations for royal entertainment. Illuminations and fireworks, performances and masquerades, ballet performances and all kinds of palace holidays - and this is not a complete list of royal entertainment events that took place in Versailles almost daily. At least until it officially became a state center.

Festivals in honor of favorites were traditional for Versailles. The first example was shown by the young Louis XIV in 1664, who instituted a holiday for his beloved Louise de La Vallière under the romantic name "Delights of the Enchanted Island". Legends and rumors of fun at Versailles have been haunting Europe for a century.

Louis XIV was a great admirer of the arts. He inherited 1,500 paintings, and over the years of his reign, he increased their number to 2,300. Several parts of the Palace of Versailles were specially equipped for the exposition of paintings, drawings and sculptures. The majestic interiors were decorated with fresco ensembles by the artist Charles Laurent. Numerous galleries flaunted portraits of Louis XIV by Bernini and Varen.

In 1797, the Museum of Art of the Masters of the French School was opened in the Palace of Versailles - as opposed to the Louvre, where works by foreign masters were kept.

Preserve the heritage of the nation for posterity

Modern rulers are not alien to ambition - in the best sense of the word.

In 1981, French President Francois Mitterrand proposed turning the Louvre into the most grandiose museum in the world and building a huge glass pyramid at the entrance. By the way, this pyramid appears in John Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code. According to the story, it was under it that the tomb of Mary Magdalene and the Holy Grail were hidden.

Two decades later, another French president, Jacques Chirac, initiated an equally ambitious project - a large-scale restoration plan for the Palace of Versailles, comparable in cost to the Louvre renovation project.

The budget of the project for the restoration of the palace and park ensemble of Versailles is 400 million euros and is designed for 20 years. It includes the renewal of the facades of the palace buildings, the interior of the Opera, and the restoration of the original layout of the garden landscape.

When the restoration is completed, tourists will have free access to those parts of the castle, which today can only be accessed as part of organized tours.

Address: Place d "Armes, 78000 Versailles, France.

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