Palace and Park of Versailles, Royal estate and gardens in Versailles, France
The Palace and Park of Versailles is a vast complex featuring a main building with hundreds of rooms and corridors. The surrounding grounds include extensive gardens laid out in a formal French style with geometric lawns, canals, fountains, and sculptures arranged throughout.
In 1661, King Louis XIV transformed a modest hunting lodge into the seat of French royal power. The building remained the principal residence of French kings until the Revolution of 1789, when the court relocated to Paris.
The name derives from an old French term meaning "fork" or "crossing," referencing the local roads. You notice throughout the rooms how the careful arrangement of artworks and lavish decorations reflects the power and authority that the French court once held.
Access is available through several entrances, including the main gate and an entrance near the train station. Wear comfortable shoes since exploring both the building and the grounds involves a great deal of walking.
The water displays were engineered with an ingenious system of pipes and pumps that moves water without modern machinery. This system operates using the same principles from over 300 years ago, though it now receives upkeep through contemporary techniques.
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