"Keeweechic's Versailles" a Versailles Travel Page by keeweechic

Versailles lies around 17kms from the centre of Paris and while it is considered a suburb of Paris, it also still has a city staus. The name of the city was first discovered in documents dating back as far as 1038AD but during the French Revolution, the city was renamed for a while as Berceau-de-la-Liberte which meant “Cradle of Liberty”. During the 14th century Versailles was his with both the Hundred Years’ War and the Black Plague and underwent enormouses losses to his residents. By the end of the 15th century, the population only numbered 100 but was on the way to recovery and growth. By the time Louis XV came to power, Versailles was prospering, in fact it was greatly admired throughout Europe for its new design trends in architecture. It was also the most powerful kingdom of Europe.

The Palace of Versailles as we know it today was originally King Louis XIII hunting lodge. It was his son Louis XIV who expanded the residence and installed his court as well as the government there. It was the official Kings residence from 1682 to 1790. During the French Revolution, the royal family were forced to leave and the palace was stripped of all its furnishings. During the Franco-Prussian war, the palace was also the headquarters for the German Army. In 1830 the palace was declared by King Louis Phillipe as a Museum.

The beautifully laid out gardens are recognised as being one of the finest in the world and the largest formal gardens ever created.