Appartement+Du+Roi

The Appartement du roi, or King’s private apartments, were a series of rooms inside the Palace de Versailles. This section of the palace overlooks the Marble Court (cour de marbre) and the rooms are situated in the oldest part of the chateau. Originally, the rooms were designated for the queen, but eventually served as living quarters for Louis XIV during his lifespan. Louis XIV then remodeled the rooms shortly after the death of Maria Theresa in 1684. The space evolved to become the everyday working quarters for Louis XV and Louis XVI. At first, the Appartement du roi had a suite of eight rooms; however, the number reduced to seven after 1701 and six in 1755. The Vestibule, paneled in marble and lit by two windows that opened onto the cour royale, was one room. During the end of Louis XIV’s reign, the Queen’s staircase and the vestibule served as the entrance to the apartments. Another room was the Salle des gardes du roi, which was basically the King’s body guard’s room; although, on Mondays, a table would be set in the room, where Louis XIV would accept petitions presented to him by his subjects. The Première antichambre, also known as salon du grand couvert, is a room that served for occasions, after the death of the queen and the dauphine, when Louis XIV dined alone. Salon de l’œil de bœuf, named after its huge oval window (œil de bœuf meaning oval), was formed in 1701 by combining two adjacent rooms. It became the main antechamber, or small room leading to a bigger one, to the King’s Bedroom. This room was one of the most expensive-looking and splendid in the apartments. Lastly, is the Chambre de Louis XIV, or King’s Bedchamber. It was constructed in 1701, where the State Drawing Room used to be located. The room is extremely elegant with multiple famous paintings. All rooms are absolutely incredible and intricately detailed down to the very last stroke of paint. The Palace of Versailles, where the apartments are located, is one of the most beautiful successes of art from the 18th century. Its culture and history will forever be appreciated. Places like the apartments inside can still be toured and remembered forever.