Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Everyking'sdream,Versailles(vehr-“sigh”)wastheresidenceofFrenchmonarchsandthe
cultural heartbeat of Europe for about 100 years—until the Revolution of 1789 changed
all that. The Sun King (Louis XIV) created Versailles, spending freely from the public
treasury to turn his dad's hunting lodge into a palace fit for the gods (among whom he
counted himself). Louis XV and Louis XVI spent much of the 18th century gilding Louis
XIV'slily.In1837,about 50years after the royal family was evicted bycitizen-protesters,
KingLouis-Philippeopenedthepalaceasamuseum.Todayyoucanvisitpartsofthehuge
palace and wander through acres of manicured gardens sprinkled with fountains and stud-
ded with statues. Europe's next-best palaces are just Versailles wannabes.
