Versailles - Wed 10/19/2011

We left Rouen early to get to Versailles when it was just opening (guide book advice).  BPS was in and out but the signage was good so we drove right to the palace.
Versailles started in 1624 as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII. His son, Louis XIV expanded it significantly. Louis XVI and his famous wife Marie Antoinette were captured here during the French Revolution. 
Finally, the Treaty of Versailles was signed here ending World War I (and some would say, beginning World War II)

Pretty snazzy hinting lodge! - Just your basic "starter" palace!!

The Chapel occupies two floors and is spectacular! Only problem was that the King was the centerpiece of everything and ruled by divine right - at least until the french revolution

Chapel upper floor

Room after room of opulence and splendor

Louis XIV introduced the wearing of wigs as his hair was thinning. He also fancied himself as another Caesar - here wearing a curly wig! 

This mural blends into the wall by containing pillars identical to the real ones just next to it!

Much of the art was on the ceilings

Scenes depicting all the major countries of the world being defeated in battle by France

The Pièce de résistance of the entire Palace is the Hall of Mirrors. Mirrors on one side reflect the light from opposite windows creating a magnificent effect. Glass panes and especially mirrors were very expensive. Consequently this room sends a message of not only beauty, but unbridled opulence!  Upper crust people from throughout Europe longed to be invited to Versailles so they could behold this beautiful room.

The view out of the windows of the Hall of Mirrors is of the gardens - a work of art in its own right - but I'm getting ahead of myself

The King's bedchamber

The room adjacent was often used for conducting affairs of State

The Queen's chambers are nearby the King's

The family dining room

Insight as to what is meant by "living like a King"

Then, the Revolution and Napoleon- here, the coronation of Napoleon as emperor

And Josephine crowned his Empress 

Much of the actual furniture was destroyed when the palace was sacked by the Revolutionary forces. A few pieces from the period are on display

This carpet once graced the floors of Versailles

Even the staircases are especially beautiful

The gardens are almost as magnificent as the Palace itself. Don't be fooled however, this is only the "side yard" not the main garden!

Here is the main garden from near the Palace. The pool to the right is one of two that frame the garden from the Hall of Mirrors. The lake in the background is nearly 1/4 mile long.

Below the twin pools begins the serious parts of the garden - again, the lake in the background is in the shape of a cross and is 1/4 mile long!

Looking back at the Palace from just where the previous photo was shot, you can see the twin pools and the Hall of Mirrors on the second floor

The fountain depicts the people being turned to reptiles when they made fun of the (Greek) gods

Need ancient art? No problem - just hire the best artists to reproduce the most famous pieces of art in the world

Need Roman ruins? Just have your grounds crew whip you something up!

 

The Apollo Fountain shows the chariot of Apollo rising out of the fountain to bring the sun to the world each day! Who's driving? King Louis, of course!

The snake biting the breast is a giveaway to Cleopatra 

Down this lovely lane is a smaller, slightly less opulent palace where Louis and Marie could "get away from it all"

I'm not sure how Marie could make do with such a simple place!

Another even smaller house was built for Louis to get away

Once again - just your basic starter Palace

We bid au revoir to Versailles and head into Paris! As we left the parking lot, the GPS went on the blink again! We dead reckoned our way and got to see parts of Versailles the average tourists never get to see! But we found the highway and headed toward Paris for our last two nights in France!