Chapels+of+Versailles

The current chapel of the Palace of Versailles is the fifth one to have been built in the history of the palace. The chapels were at the center of daily life for the court during the Old Regime. Each of the five chapels were built by many different architects, but the fifth and current chapel was built by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The project began in 1689 until Hardouin-Mansart’s death in 1708. From that point his brother-in-law, Robert de Cotte, finished the project. It was decided that the final chapel would stand definitively in the North Wing near the King’s apartment. The final chapel was the last major building project of Louis XIV.

During the timespan of the five chapels, the second chapel was mostly used by the royal family and the court until a new chapel was constructed in 1678. For many of the chapels, like the second, the royals or court would find the new chapel impractical, and have a new chapel built. The fourth chapel was built in 1682 while the  construction of the aile du Nord was underway. While this chapel was in use until 1710, when the fifth chapel was completed, many important events and decisions during the reign of Louis XIV were witnessed in the building. Until 1789, the fifth chapel was mostly used for mass as well as, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI were married on April 1770 in the current chapel.

The chapel today is being used for the public instead of the sacred uses it once had. This chapel has served as a venue for many state and private events. Musical concerts are often performed at the chapel, such as from musicians Bach and Mozart. The chapel also has all the original artwork, such as a fresco painted by Antoine Coypel.