The Palace of Versailles is a complex that housed the French government, most notably its royalty, during the reigns of Louis XIV (known as the “Sun King” of France), Louis XV and Louis XVI. Built beside the settlement of Versailles, the Palace of Versailles is located about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southwest of Paris. Before the construction of the palace by Louis XIV, the settlement of Versailles was a small hamlet, but when the revolution it had become much bigger with a population of more than 60,000 people. During this time, it was one of the largest urban centers in France. Before the revolution, the Versailles complex included the palace, gardens, a walled-in royal hunting ground, a smaller palatial structure known as the Grand (or Marble) Trianon and and the
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He ruled France for 72 years and during that reighn he transformed Versailles by encompassing Louis XIII’s chateau with a palace that contained north and south wings, as well as nearby buildings that housed ministries. He believed in centralized government with the king at its center, and the layout of Versailles accurately depicts these views. Under the guidance of Louis XIV, the residence was transformed (1661–1710) into an immense and extravagant complex. Every detail of its construction was intended to glorify the king and showcase his absolute power. The additions were designed by such renowned architects like Jules Hardouin-Mansart, Robert de Cotte, and Louis Le Vau. Charles Le Brun oversaw the interior decoration. Landscape artist André Le Nôtre created symmetrical French gardens that included ornate fountains with “magically” still water, expressing the king over nature. A series of gardens, created in a French and English formal style, stood to the west of the palace and contained sculptures as well as the pressurized fountains that could launch water high into the
He ruled France for 72 years and during that reighn he transformed Versailles by encompassing Louis XIII’s chateau with a palace that contained north and south wings, as well as nearby buildings that housed ministries. He believed in centralized government with the king at its center, and the layout of Versailles accurately depicts these views. Under the guidance of Louis XIV, the residence was transformed (1661–1710) into an immense and extravagant complex. Every detail of its construction was intended to glorify the king and showcase his absolute power. The additions were designed by such renowned architects like Jules Hardouin-Mansart, Robert de Cotte, and Louis Le Vau. Charles Le Brun oversaw the interior decoration. Landscape artist André Le Nôtre created symmetrical French gardens that included ornate fountains with “magically” still water, expressing the king over nature. A series of gardens, created in a French and English formal style, stood to the west of the palace and contained sculptures as well as the pressurized fountains that could launch water high into the