Palace of Versailles – Paris – France

Palace of Versailles – Paris – France

Palace of Versailles – Paris – France

The Palace of Versailles was the official residence of the Kings of France from 1682 until 1790. It was originally a hunting lodge, built in 1624, by Louis XIII. It was expanded by Louis XIV beginning in 1669. He used it as a little lodge as a secret refuge for his amorous trysts with the lovely Louise de la Valliere and built a fairy tale park around it.

Palace of Versailles – Paris – France

Jules Hardouin Mansart, the king’s principal architect, drew the plans to enlarge what was turning more and more into a palace from A Thousand and One Nights. The terrace that overlooked the gardens was removed to make way for the magnificent Hall of Mirrors, the Galarie de Glaces. It is here from which the king radiated his power and where the destiny of Europe was decided over a century.

Palace of Versailles – Paris – France

Palace of Versailles – Paris – France

Palace of Versailles – Paris – France

Palace of Versailles – Paris – France

The gardens were among the most enchanting delights at Versailles. The original design was by Andre Le Notre, the master gardener of his time. This design was modified and sometimes changed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart on his appointment as First Architect.

A rivalry existed between the two, but eventually the integrity of Le Notre’s plan was maintained. The list of head gardeners and designers is long and represents an honor role of horticulturists and artists.