Palace+of+Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is a royal castle in Versailles, France. From 1682, when King Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in 1789, the Court of Versailles was the central of power in Ancient Regime France. King Louis XIV ordered construction begin on the Ministries wing for the government and his family to be housed. Over the next few years, the South wing, Orangerie, and the Hall of Mirrors were built. Construction was a constant and more wings and buildings on the property were added, including a chapel. When the the castle was built, Versailles was a country village, but it is now a suburb of Paris. Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy.

There are a many famous things that have taken place in the palace, such as the Building Campaign and the Treaty of Trianon. The first building campaign was held from 1664-1668, which was the start to the luxury of the French court. The main purpose of the campaign was to make adjustments to the palace quarters and the gardens in order to have over 600 guests celebrate the two French queens, Anne of Austria and Marie Therese. The Treaty of Trianon was peace agreement signed to formally end WWI in 1920 between Austria-Hungary and Allied Powers.

Today, the Palace is one of France’s many national monuments. Many of the rooms are current government offices. There is only a portion of the Palace that is open to the public. Visitors may tour the sections of the north and south wing, and the central section. The apartments on the ground floor, once occupied by the Dauphin and Dauphine or prince and princess, are also open to the public. Some of the original furniture has been recovered, paintings have been returned, and wall coverings replaced. Touring the palaces give you an amazing look back at France's history.