Paris, 2006
 
 
Our last day in Paris. We took the train out to Versailles, and toured the Palace, which was opulent beyond belief for its time. The extraordinary parties that took place in the castles have never been beaten. day 4, part 1
Versailles panorama. 10miles west of Paris, home to Louis XIV, XV, XVI and Napoleon.
Main Gate. Entrance to the Minister’s Courtyard
Major renovating going on in the Royal Courtyard
marble entryway
Chapelle Royal. Ground level for the Court
Baroque mural on ceiling
Golden altar and pipe organ
looking out from 2nd floor balcony. reserved for Royal family
L’Opéra. Competed in 1770.
The State Apartments ("Grands Appartements") were used mainly for official ceremonies and special balls.
At the start are several drawing rooms which are named after Roman gods and goddesses
view towards gardens
Nicholas de Catinat. 1637–1712, marshal of France. The son of a magistrate, he won promotion by merit rather than by wealth or descent.
outside of Royal Chapel
Hercules Drawing Room
Hercules being crowned a god
Baroque style throughout
Veronese painting a gift from Republic of Venice
Salon of Abundance. Doors lead into kings private study- the Cabinet of Curiosities
Salon ceiling painting
This room was where people came to get a little quiet from parties on Hercules Drawing Room
Silver trays of food would be laid out
Parterr Nord (North Border)
Venus Drawing Room
Statue of Louis XIV as a Roman Emperor
Diana Room. It was a billiards room
Mars Drawing Room. Guard Room for kings Swiss Guards
Mercury Room. Kings bedchamber.
Marie Leczinska, wife of Louis XV. Originally from Poland.
Louis XV?
Going to sleep, as well as waking up, were public rituals.
100 people would attend to his waking, washing, dressing and breakfast each day.
Ceiling of Mercury Room
Apollo Drawing Room, or Throne Room
Apollo, the Sun God, painted for the Sun King
Louis XVI
The “Sun King’ sat under a silver canopy
Louis XIV
Salon of War (Salon de la Guerre) at one end of Hall of Mirrors
Louis XIV riding to victory
Hall of Mirrors. Treaty of Versailles ratified here in 1919, ending WWI.
17 mirrors, 24 gilded candleabras. 233 ft. long
Ceiling of Hall of Mirrors. Chronicles Louis’ military accomplishments
17 windows opposite mirrors, look over gardens. There was a carpet that reflected the scenes on the ceiling
Ceiling of Peace Room. Beginning of Queens’ wing.
Salon of Peace at other end of Hall of Mirrors
Bassin et parterre de Latone with Grand Canal in distance
Louis XV
Oeil-delBeouf, named for the bull’s eye  oval window. This is featured heavily in Baroque France
Anteroom that connected Queen’s bedroom to King’s bedroom.
It was through this room that Marie Antoinette fled to escape the mob that invaded the palace.
King’s bedroom. At the exact center of the Chateau
This is the spot where Louis XVI and Marie Antionette faced the angry mob that demanded the end of the divine monarchy in 1789
Cabinet du Conseil is where the king received his ministers and family.
Vestiges of the original hunting lodge?
Queen’s bedchamber
19 princes were born here in full public view
ceiling detail
Canopy and panels were changed with the seasons
Bust of Marie Antionette on mantle. Chest held her jewels
Room was redecorated by Marie Antoinette
Mirrors were considered a luxury item
there I am in the corner of the mirror!
The Salon of the Nobles
Salon ceiling
closeup of chandelier
Queen’s Antechamber. Royal Family dined here publicly
Ceiling
a Royal relative
Marie Antionette. “Let them eat cake!” Poster child of decadence
Marie with her 3 children
Queen’s Guard Room
Queen and King locked themselves in this room to hide from angry peasants
Coronation room. Honors Napoleon Bonaparte. Jacques-Louis David’s “The Distribution of Eagles”
Ceiling
Napoleon crowns himself emperor by Jacques-Louis David. Original is at the Louvre
Also called Salon du Sacre
The Battle of Albuquerque
1792 Room. Portraits of famous leaders
Hall of Battles
lot and lots of battles
more and more battles! France has been through alot over the centuries
1830 Room. something more to do with Napoleon
ceiling of the 1830 Room
back outside
I recommend the slideshow -but you must have pop-ups enabled to view larger photos.
Photos of Versailles Gardens and the Latin Quarter continue on the next page.