Palace of versailles gardens history books

The palace of versailles is an opulent complex and former royal residence outside of paris. The behindthescenes story of the worlds most famous palace, painting a picture of the way its residents truly lived and examining the palaces legacy, from french history through todaythe story of versailles is one of historical drama, under the last three kings of frances old regime, mixed with the high camp and glamour of the european courts, all in an iconic home for the french arts. Access to the gardens is free of charge, except for fountain show and musical gardens days from april to october. As the center of the french court, versailles was one of the grandest theaters of european absolutism. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.

Up until the french revolution, a line of kings succeeded each other, each taking his turn to embellish the palace. During this time andre le notre collaborated with the likes. In their history, the gardens of versailles have undergone no less than five major replantations, which have been executed for practical and aesthetic reasons. A humble gardener without specialized training, le notre designed and conceived a series of gardens, groves, and parks for the palace and its domaine. The gardens of versailles are perhaps the most famous in the world. As the gardenerinchief, baraton lives on its grounds, and since 1982 he has devoted his life to the gardens, orchards, and fields that were loved by frances kings and queens as much as the palace itself. The palace of versailles is a royal chateau in versailles, in the iledefrance region of france. Many visitors report that a single day simply isnt enough time to enjoy everything that versailles has to offer. As the crow flies, versailles is twelve miles west of paris.

However, i found the amount of detail on the actual construction of the palace to be, on the whole, rather meager. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. May 12, 2016 today, the versailles palace is one of the most important palace of the french history. The behindthescenes story of the worlds most famous palace, painting. When the versailles gardens were complete, they included 372 statues, 55 fountains, and over 32 kms 20 miles of. This is very good book on these beautiful gardens, the images jump off the page and the text is highly informative. The sisters of versailles by sally christie, love and louis xiv. Access to the gardens is free of charge, except for fountain show. Please enjoy this timeline for it has current pictures that my husband and i took while we visited the palace of versailles during. When you arrive at the palace, you can go directly to the gardens by going to the top lefthand side of the cour dhonneur, then entering the gate of the courtyard of the princes. Palace windows were shattered, several roofs had flown off to find new homes, and worst of all was the gardens. Along with pictures depicting important people, places, and events, you will learn about versailles like never before. King louis xiv, the sun king, spent nearly 50 years expanding the palace, and in1682, he moved both the royal residence and french seat of government to versailles. The scale of the gardens is monumental, with a sense of openness to the horizon.

Palace of versailles was first thought of in 1038 and to this day tourists are able to enjoy the beauty of the palance, its gardnes, and its history. With the main palace, the trianon palaces, the gardens and the park, versailles is a site whose topography and history are rich. Meet the mistresses of louis xv at the palace of versailles. A history of the palace of versailles, the jewel of the. Instead, he hired a consultant from italy to handle the specifics. In alain baratons versailles, every grove tells a story. When the chateau was built, versailles was a country village. The gigantic scale of versailles exemplifies the architectural theme of creation by division a series of simple repetitions rhythmically marked off by the repetition of the.

More than seven million people visit this historic castle and its grounds annually. Palace of versailles can be crowded, so we recommend booking etickets ahead of time to secure your spot. This book celebrates the event by presenting a detailed history of the gardens, from the hunting estate. Although the location existed for centuries before the sovereign, louis xiv developed a genuine liking for versailles early on, and decided to extend it beyond the chateau that had grown out of the hunting lodge of brick and stone first built by his father. I dont know if i was louis xiv or marie antoinette or a lowly groundskeeper, but i lived there. History of the palace of versailles versailles wasnt built in a day. These versailles photos prove the palace is worth another. A history of the palace of versailles, the jewel of the sun king.

Designed to embody the power, pomp and elegance of the french monarchy and its considerable military prowess, the 73meter gallery which was recently refurbished to its former glory features 373 mirrors situated around 17 arches. The story of versailles is one of high historical drama mixed with the high camp and glamour of the european courts, all in an iconic home for the french arts. Michel baridon 19262009 was professor of english at the university of burgundy. Discover palace of versailles documentary en youtube.

Afterwards take a walk in the huge palace gardens adorned with splendid statues and magnificent fountains. This book stays true to its purpose to tell the history of versailles beginning mostly with 4. When louis xiv moved the seat of the monarchy to versailles in 1682, the paris versailles road became one of the busiest arteries in europe, even during the night, when, by the late eighteenth century, streetlights lit the paved surface all the way from the palace to the paris tollgate. Work on the gardens was started at the same time as the work on the palace and lasted for 40 or so years. There is perhaps no palace in the world quite as famous as that of versailles. A solitary stroll in the steps of louis xiv and andre le notre through the four seasons. They express the spirit of seventeenthcentury science with their geometrical layout and with their interest in optics, evidenced by the reflecting mirrors of the water parterres and of the grand canal. This largeformat book presents the gardens of the palace of versailles as you have never seen them before. With 60,000 artworks, collections of versailles illustrate 5 centuries of french history.

The history and legacy of frances most famous royal palace. Palace of versailles 2020 all you need to know before. Administered by the public establishment of the palace, museum and national estate of versailles, an autonomous public entity operating under the aegis of the french ministry of culture, the gardens are now one of the most visited public sites in france, receiving more than six million visitors a year. Palace of versailles gardens is one of the largest gardens ever created.

Palace of versailles by bruno le normand and christian heinrich moonlight publishing, coll. When louis xiv moved the seat of the monarchy to versailles in 1682, the parisversailles road became one of the busiest arteries in europe, even during the night, when, by the late eighteenth century, streetlights lit the paved surface all the way from the palace to the paris tollgate. This book interweaves the historical heyday of versailles with current day. It has held sway in the public imagination for years because of its architectural grandeur and political. Aug 27, 2008 the gardens of versailles are perhaps the most famous in the world. A wellwritten history of the building and various remodeling efforts undertaken at versailles, this book managed on a several occasions to prove interesting. In 1661 louis xiv entrusted andre le notre with the creation and renovation of the gardens of versailles, which he considered just as important as the palace. From the hall of mirrors, visitors can admire a great overview of the gardens of versailles for which the king of sun, louis xiv, had an unconditional love. Here are plenty of versailles photos which prove that the palace is worth a visit. It began with the original chateau, with the brick and stone and sloping slate mansard roofs of the louis xiii style used by architect philibert le roy. During his whole reign, the king made from the gardens of versailles palace a unique and magnificent place. I would highly recommend this book for history lovers and people who would. The book and gift store offers a range of books displayed with a careful selection of.

As well as having a rich broadcast history, tony spawforth is the author and editor of numerous books on the ancient world. Orange trees outline a formal garden at versailles, once the epicenter of french royal power. Today, the versailles palace is one of the most important palace of the french history. The palace of versailles offers a visual history of french architecture from the 17th century to the end of the 18th century. One of the finest examples of 17thcentury french art and architecture, the versailles palace is a unesco world heritage site and a mustsee french landmark. Here, we explore some fascinating facts about the history of the palace of versailles, beginning with its humble roots and concluding with its lasting legacy. The illustrious palace of versailles is situated to the west of paris. When the sun rose on 26 december, versailles looked quite different than the day before. Known the world over, the gardens of versailles are often visited hurriedly by crowds of tourists. Palace of versailles, former french royal residence and center of government, now a national landmark. Catherine pegard is president of the public establishment of the palace, museum and national estate of versailles. Louis xiv documentary biography of the life of louis xiv the sun king duration.

This was published after the massive restorations of the apartments it shows some of the unfinished rooms. Baraton has filled his book not only with interesting historical details and. Located at the beginning of the grand apartments tour, the gallery of the history of the palace is an essential introduction to the visit. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading versailles.

In contrast, this book examines the political and cultural intrigues during the era of the gardens creation. It is located in the city of versailles in northern france, 10 miles 16 km westsouthwest of paris. The history and legacy of frances most famous royal palace kindle edition by charles river editors. Spend a day with louis xiv in his magnificent palace.

Aug 12, 2019 the palace of versailles was originally constructed in 1624 as a simple, twostory hunting lodge. His achievements were, and still are, considered to be the work of a genius and spanned 25 long years during which the gardens of versailles would continue to grow in size and in splendor. Versailles palace tickets skip the line access with. Monsieur baraton is the gardenerinchief for the parkgardens at the palace of. May 30, 2019 highlights of the versailles palace and gardens. Sep 09, 2012 louis xiv documentary biography of the life of louis xiv the sun king duration. This illustrated book offers a potted history and some 300. Best known for its status as a seat of royalty, and where the sun king lived in luxury, versailles started out as a hunting lodge in the 17thcentury. When louis xiv begin overseeing plans for the construction of his palace and royal gardens, there really werent any fountain specialists in france. Jun 03, 2012 short texts by valerie bajou, smoothly translated by antony shugaar, provide a potted history of the palace and its gardens as well as of the smaller adjacent chateaus, the grand trianon and the. The history of versailles is inextricably linked with the figure of louis xiv.

The versailles gardens took 40 years to complete, and. Having read over the years numerous books about the last two hundred years of the french bourbon kings, here is a book about the place so much of it took place. Along with the louvre and eiffel tower, the palace of versailles is one of the mostvisited monuments in the iledefrance region. Common to any longlived garden is replantation, and versailles is no exception. Guillaume picon is a historian and specialist on the kings of france. See all 197 palace of versailles tickets and tours on tripadvisor. Work on the gardens started at the same time as the work on the palace of versailles and lasted for around 40 years. Mar 16, 2010 the behindthescenes story of the worlds most famous palace, painting a picture of the way its residents truly lived and examining the palace s legacy, from french history through todaythe story of versailles is one of historical drama, under the last three kings of frances old regime, mixed with the high camp and glamour of the european courts, all in an iconic home for the french arts. John vanderlyn, panoramic view of the palace and gardens of versailles, 18181819, 01.

The palace of versailles was originally constructed in 1624 as a simple, twostory hunting lodge. A biography of a palace by tony spawforth goodreads. The palace of versailles has been listed as a world heritage site for 30 years and is one of the greatest achievements in french 17 th century art. Situated in the leafy, bourgeois suburb of versailles, 22km southwest of central paris, the baroque chateau was the kingdoms political capital and the seat of the royal court from 1682 up until the fateful events of 1789 when revolutionaries massacred the palace guard. Versailles is as famous for le nortes gardens are they are for mansarts palace to end all palaces. When the versailles gardens were complete, they included 372 statues, 55 fountains, and over 32 kms 20 miles of canals. To achieve his masterpiece, louis xiv mobilized the seventeenth centurys artistic and scientific elite. Francis hammond s photographs have been published in a day with claude monet in giverny, private houses of france, and historic houses of paris. A succession of kings continued to embellish the palace up until the french revolution. They looked around the sumptuous luxury inside the palace and then, with the help of a guidebook, they decided to explore the expansive gardens. Media in category historical images of the palace of versailles the following 148 files are in this category, out of 148 total. A history of the gardens of versailles michel baridon.

This set reflects the dual vocation of the palace once inhabited by the sovereigns and then a museum dedicated to all the glories of france inaugurated by louisphilippe in 1837. Louis xiiis old hunting pavilion was transformed and extended by his son, louis xiv, when he installed the court and government there in 1682. Even so, if time is limited, there are some mustsee attractions of the palace and its park to witness if at all possible. Mar 09, 2011 the two were in paris in august of 1901 and on the 10th they decided to visit the palace of versailles, which neither had visited. The history and legacy of frances most famous royal palace chronicles the remarkable history of one of the worlds most famous palaces and tourist spots. Satellite city to the east of the palace at versailles housed court and government officials, m ilitary and guard detachments, c ourtiers, s ervants. The two were in paris in august of 1901 and on the 10th they decided to visit the palace of versailles, which neither had visited. Gardens of versailles tickets, free entry, history and facts. The hall of mirrors, the kings grand apartments, the gardens the palace of versailles is one of the most visited cultural sites in the world today.

Aug 09, 2014 documentary about the royal palace of brussels. Beautifully illustrated with archival images and commissioned photographs, a history of the gardens of versailles provides visitors and enthusiasts with a guide to these legendary grounds. Oct 21, 2017 gusts of wind as intense as 210kmhr mph pummeled versailles over about 2 hours in the dead of night. From the splendour of the state apartments that evoke the life. The gardens of versailles by andre le notre pariscityvision. Embellished by successive kings, who commissioned work from the greatest architects and artists of their times, the palace of versailles shows french style at its highest point. The books is divided by the time the palace was built until louis xvi and so on. Located just 40 minutes outside of paris in the city of versailles, the grand palace was once the epicenter of french royal power and home to the french monarchy. The women in the life of the sun king by antonia fraser, ma.