Versailles at a Glance
In 1682, France's king Louis XIV moved the royal court from the hustle and
bustle of polluted Paris to the tranquil countryside of Versailles; it is here
where architects, interior decorators and garden designers had been busily expanding
the previous king Louis XIII's modest hunting lodge into a massive complex capable
of housing 20,000 people. France's aristocrats and nobility were invited to
live at the Chau
de Versailles, centralizing power and solidifying the strength of the monarchy.
Called the Sun King, Louis XIV inherited the throne at the age of four, and
ruled for 72 years. Each day the king appeared at scheduled times to hear from
the public. The chateau's grounds include 100 hectares (250 acres) of gardens
and a 1.5 km (1 mi) long canal. The Grande
Ecourie, or the Royal Stables, were capable of holding 600 horses, and the
Grande
Appartements give a glimpse at the lifestyle of royalty. Louis XVI built
the Queen's
Hamlet for the amusement of his unpopular bride, Marie Antoinette, and the
Hall
of Mirrors is lined with sparkling chandeliers and the palace's finest art.
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