Chateau de Versailles: an opulent display of the baroque style and the wealth of the French kings.
By Aarushi Ganguli- Travel Editor.
Traveling the world is a luxury that allows one to take in the sights of the world and learn about the different histories of countries around the world. Nowhere is this more relevant than in France, with its stereotypes and its complicated personal history as well as its international relations. But if given the opportunity to travel to France, or specifically Paris, you must seize the opportunity to see the Chateau de Versailles. There are very few palaces in the world that are as opulent as this and if nothing else, the entire place is covered in gold, including the front gate (what’s not to love!). Moreover, there is so much history that the palace has seen that if walls could talk, it would have a real story to tell.
If walls could talk, it would have a real story to tell.
It was first built (at least the initial structure) by King Louis XIII as a simple hunting lodge that he could escape to when the responsibilities at his court would get too much for him. It was consequently expanded by his descendants, all of whom are named after him as was customary in society back then. The king who did the most work on the palace was King Louis XIV who expanded it into a chateau and, later, a palace. It was also named a de facto capital of France during this period when the king moved much of his government business to the palace. Of course, the most famous story surrounding the palace of that of the Sun King (Louis XIV) and his
wife Marie Antoinette and how the French Revolution officially kicked off. Since then, it has only been used once more in its official capacity when Napolean Bonaparte became emperor, and only as a summer residence between 1810-14. After this, it was officially handed off to the French government, even after the French monarchy returned (though not in its original form).
With all that history and all that money, it’s easy to imagine the level of detail in each room and how many of them are made from precious stone and rare materials. I mean, I have seen some very impressive palaces in the places I have traveled; however, this was in a class of its own.
From the minute you arrive, the walk up the chateau shows you the sheer size and
magnificence of the palace; and it becomes more apparent when you have to go through a solid gold gate in order to get into the attraction. The place is split up into different areas, based on who used that wing of the palace during the years in which it was in use. You also have the ever-famous Hall of Mirrors (which of course is crowded with thousands of people all day everyday) and the coronation room, which holds the well-known painting of the coronation of Napolean Bonaparte. Not to mention the large number of well-manicured gardens at the back of the Chateau which take up some 800 hectares just west of the palace. All in all, a glamorous example of the way in which kings lived.
If you want to visit the Chateau de Versailles, allow at least a full 5-6 hours to take in the sights as this is an attraction that has very few similarities with those scattered across the world and I bid you adieu on your travels across France. And as the French say, au revoir!
