Grand Trianon, Royal residence in Versailles domain, France.
The Grand Trianon is a single-floor palace in the grounds of Versailles, France, with pink marble facades from the Languedoc region and a colonnade linking the courtyard to the gardens. The structure consists of two parallel wings separated by an open peristyle.
The architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart built this residence in 1687 following the wishes of Louis XIV, who wanted a retreat away from court protocol. Napoleon refurnished the rooms in the early 19th century, and later the building served as a residence for French presidents.
The left-wing gallery displays twenty-four canvases showing how the gardens and tree-lined paths of this area appeared during the reign of the Sun King. Visitors today walk through rooms that once served as a private retreat from the ceremonies at the main court.
The site opens Tuesday through Sunday between midday and early evening, with entry tickets available at the main estate entrance. The colonnade and gardens are best explored in dry weather.
The flower beds around the building once held thousands of potted plants buried in the soil, allowing wilted blooms to be swapped out each day. This system ensured that the king always found fresh flowers in full bloom.
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