Versailles
Palace is among the most well-known and treasured attractions in France that
receives millions of visitors each year. The palace was built in 1623, and it
was later expanded and transformed by Louis XIV. It was considered as the
epicentre of power during the famous French revolution. Today, a visit to
France is incomplete without checking out some of the best things to do in Chateau de
Versailles.
The Hall of
Mirrors
Completed
at the end of the 16th century, the Hall of Mirrors features
stunning views of the garden through 17 ornate windows. The mirrors are
strategically placed on the opposite side of the windows to easily reflect the
light. In addition, the hall also features several sparkling chandeliers across
the ceilings. A visit to this room is among the top things to do in Chateau de
Versailles. The grand silver furniture
that was once here did not survive the various wars over Versailles Palace.
Water Fall Chateau de Versailles
The Water
Fall Chateau de Versailles is one of the latest additions to Versailles Palace.
It is a soaring waterfall located high above the Grand Canal. The impressive
installation looks like a gush of water that does not have any obvious source,
especially when seen from the palace’s front steps. Since its recent
installation, the Water Fall Chateau de Versailles
has become a very popular attraction in this palace. It is the latest work of
Olafur Eliasson, a Danish artist whose large-scale works explore perception,
environmental issues, and light.
The Queen’s
Chamber
This grand
apartment was the main place where the Queen held an audience. As you can
expect, the space is quite extravagant in terms of the décor and materials used
to set up the room. Among the top things to do in Chateau de Versailles is to
simply check out the stunning décor of these regal apartments. While the King’s
chamber focuses on political wins and military history and is much more
subdued, the Queen’s apartment is more opulent, and it was used by Marie
Antoinette.
The Grand
Trianon
Louis XIV created the Grand Trianon as a place where
he could meet his mistress discreetly without all the etiquettes and
formalities of the royal court. While construction was completed in the 17th
century, the site has been restored multiple times since then. The architecture
here is quite unique, especially compared other parts of the Versailles Palace. Rather than showcasing
artistic freedom, you will clearly see that the design is well organised with
straight lines found everywhere.
The Queen’s
Hamlet
The Queen’s
Hamlet located inside the Versailles Palace was designed as a retreat for Queen
Marie Antoinette. She wanted a secluded place away from the main palace where
she could relax and have some fun. This is because the palace required lots of
formality and protocols, while the Hamlet would offer a much more relaxed
setting for her and her friends.
The
Versailles Palace remains one of the most extravagant sites in both France and
Europe at large. Make sure you visit the palace and experience all the above
special features for yourself.
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