Versailles - a palace and park ensemble in France, the former residence of the French kings in the city of Versailles, now a suburb of Paris; center of tourism of world importance.
Versailles is a palace and park complex (Parc et château de Versailles), which is located in the same suburb of Paris. Versailles is on the list of 100 wonders of the world, and since 1979 it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The whole complex is divided into the following main zones:
Chateau (main palace in Versailles);
Grand Trianon;
Little Trianon (Marie-Antoinette Mansion);
Marie-Antoinette Farm;
Gardens;
A park.
How to get to Versailles
From Paris to Versailles you can take half an hour by high-speed RER trains, line C. At Versailles, the stop is called Versailles Rive Gauche, from there to the palace gates 10 minutes on foot.
Another way to get there is bus number 171, which departs from the Pont de Sevres metro station in Paris. Buses run every 15-20 minutes.
What to see in Versailles: the halls and interiors of the palace
Each room, salon and bedroom is a masterpiece that shows how much talent and work has been invested here.
Mirror Gallery
The Mirror Gallery is considered the heart of the Palace of Versailles. Its area is 803 square meters. m. In the gallery there are 357 mirrors installed in parallel 17 windows. The hall is decorated with crystal chandeliers, silver candelabra, floor lamps, vases, as well as pilasters of Rouge de Rance, crowned with capitals of gilded bronze on the basis of the new design, which was called "French style" and was created by Le Brun.
The vaulted ceiling features 30 illustrations that depict the glorious history of Louis XIV during the first 18 years of his reign. Weddings in Versailles took place in the Mirror Gallery.
Royal cappella
The chapel is located near the entrance on the right side of the building. The royal altar is surrounded by figures of ancient Greek gods. The royal coat of arms on the floor is lined with colored marble. A spiral staircase leads to the second tier of the chapel.
The Throne Room, or the Apollo Hall
This hall was intended for holding audiences of foreign delegations or patronal feasts. In the evenings there were dances, theatrical or musical performances.
Salon Diana
The interior of the Diana Salon in the Palace of Versailles is decorated with antique busts and sculptures, painted walls, as well as golden vaults.
Salon Wars
Salon Wars is created to glorify the legendary military merit of the French. There are monumental canvases on the walls telling of victories.
Salon "Bull's Eye"
The cabin window overlooks the courtyard oval. There could be persons close to the monarch or titled to know, to watch the royal apartments through the hole, which in form resembles a bull's eye.
Venus Hall
The main attraction of the hall is the statue of the "sun king" of Louis XIV.
King bedroom
Louis XIV was an extravagant man, he loved the pomp of absolutely everything. That is why his bedroom looks like theatrical scenery. When the king woke up and went to bed in the bedroom, there were selected individuals who had the pleasure of enjoying this action. As soon as the "Sun King" woke up, four servants presented a glass of wine, and two - a lace shirt.
Queen's bedroom
The bedroom of the queen has a huge bed. The walls are decorated with stucco, portraits and various scenic panels.
Gardens and Park of Versailles
The gardens and park of Versailles are unique, about 36,000 people worked on their construction. Every year more than 6 million tourists visit this place of interest.
The location of all the objects of the park is carefully calculated and thought out. The scales are so grand that it is simply unrealistic to bypass the entire landscape gardening complex in a day. Fountains, pools, cascades, grottoes, statues - the park was created to show the majesty of the "sun king".
There are approximately 350,000 trees on the territory. Trees, shrubs and lawns are cut as it was intended by the creator of the complex in the 17th century.
Versailles constantly hosts various events and shows. Especially there is something to look at during the height of the tourist season.
From May to September, on Saturdays, guests are given a light and musical show of fountains. Besides the fact that the spectacle itself is indescribably beautiful, it ends with fireworks.
Before the night show in the Hall of Mirrors is a real ball. Dancers demonstrate dances traditional to the royal balls, and musicians perform classical music.
Exhibitions are periodically held in galleries and other premises of Versailles. Both contemporary artists and paintings by artists of past centuries are exhibited here.
Comments