Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles was the principal royal residence of France from 1682, under Louis XIV, until the start of the French Revolution in 1789, under Louis XVI. It is located in the department of Yvelines, in the region of Île-de-France, about 20 kilometers southwest of the center of Paris.

The palace is now a Monument historique and UNESCO World Heritage site, notable especially for the ceremonial Hall of Mirrors, the jewel-like Royal Opera, and the royal apartments.
 * The hunting lodge and château of Louis XIII The site of the Palace was first occupied by a small village and church, surrounded by forests filled with abundant game. It was owned by the Gondi family and the priory of Saint Julian. King Henry IV went hunting there in 1589, and returned in 1604 and 1609, staying in the villa
 * The palace of Louis XIV Louis XIV first visited the château on a hunting trip in 1651 at the age of twelve, but returned only occasionally until his marriage to Maria Theresa of Spain in 1660 and the death of Cardinal Mazarin in 1661, after which he suddenly acquired a passion for the site. He ...
 * Enlargement of the Palace (1678-1715) The King increasingly spent his days in Versailles, and the government, court, and courtiers, numbering six to seven thousand persons, crowded into the buildings. The King ordered a further enlargement, which he entrusted to the young architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart.
 * Fact:
 * Versailles is not the world’s largest palace.
 * Versailles was center of power for only 100 years.
 * It is now Museum of the History of France.
 * Hall of Mirrors is the best room in Palace of Versailles.
 * Five chapels have been built in Palace of Versailles so far.
 * Louis XVI of France was born here!
 * Louis XV of France was born here!