Hall of Mirrors, Ceremonial corridor in Palace of Versailles, France
The Hall of Mirrors is a long corridor in the Palace of Versailles that stretches 73 meters and connects the King's apartments with the Queen's. The 17 arches on the garden side have large windows matched by 357 mirrors on the opposite wall.
Architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart built the corridor between 1678 and 1684 to replace an open terrace. Charles Le Brun designed the ceiling paintings with scenes from the first 18 years of Louis XIV's rule.
The name Hall of Mirrors comes from the use of glass that was rare and expensive in the 17th century, making this corridor a display of royal wealth. Today visitors gather along the windows to see how the mirrors multiply the garden views and natural light.
The corridor is accessible Tuesday through Sunday between 9 AM and 5:30 PM, either with a guide or on your own. Visitors should arrive early as groups often form during the morning.
On June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles ending World War I was signed here. The ceremony took place at the exact spot where Germany had proclaimed its empire in 1871.
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