Versailles

Versailles is a landmark of France of world importance. This unusually beautiful palace and park ensemble is the former residence of the French kings. The creator of this castle was Louis XIV himself, who created it from a simple country house of Louis XII. This magnificent structure, the creation of which, the ruler, emptied the entire treasury of France, has become a kind of unique monument to the rule of his era. Versailles is the largest in Europe and represents a unique, unbroken ensemble of huge architectural creations and transformed landscape.

In 1801, the Palace of Versailles was opened as a museum for visitors, and later everything else. In 1837, the Historical Museum of France was organized on the territory of the castle. In 1979, Versailles was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Versailles is associated with a number of significant events in both French and world history. In the 18th century, many international agreements were signed on the territory of the palace. And in 1919, they concluded an agreement on the end of the First World War, which gave the basis to the Versailles system (the order of relations, in the post-war period, between states).

This huge architectural creation embodies the ideas of absolutism. The large halls and bedrooms are decorated with pronounced luxury: frescoes, wood and marble carvings, paintings, sculptures, silk, velvet, gilding, bronze.

The Hall of Mirrors stands out from all sides. There are 17 huge mirrors with gilded sculptures between them on the 70-meter wall.

The most famous place for tourists to walk is the main park of Versailles. It was on this territory with a variety of fountains, pools, sculptures and green decorative areas that the noble people of France strolled at one time.

The monument to Louis XIV himself is located at the intersection of the three main streets of the city, which was erected 150 years ago.

The surroundings of the palace are very beautiful and unique. The legendary gardens in Versailles were created by a whole regiment of workers and the talented designer Andre Lenotre, who embodied the ideal of classicism here. All attempts to copy the beauty of this park were in vain, no one managed to repeat the scope of this attraction.

In the center of the garden stretches a Large canal, 1.6 km long, and around it grow ornamental trees, flower beds, ponds. Fountains, of which there are 1,400, splash everywhere on the territory. The most famous of them is the chariot of Apollo, as well as a monument in honor of the Sun King himself. Marble and bronze sculptures are displayed near the paths. A large Trianon was built in marble opposite the garden, where the king could retire and take a break from court life. Louis XV built the Petit Trianon for Madame du Barry, where they loved to spend time together. A cozy village has also been built here, which is associated with the name of Marie Antoinette. There is an old mill, huts and a dairy farm on its territory.

The Palace of Versailles is open to the public from spring to the second month of autumn, and the beauty of the gardens of Versailles can be admired all year round.

The easiest way to get to Versailles is by metro, as Versailles–Rive Gauche Station is a 15-minute walk away.