The King's, then Queen's stables, Royal stables in Versailles, France
The former royal stables are located on Rue Carnot and display the characteristic architecture of Louis XIV's era with single-level brick construction and mansard roofs. Today the building serves as the Court of Appeal for Versailles and has been protected as a historical monument since 1978.
The stables were built in 1672 to house the court's horses and staff. When they quickly proved too small for royal needs, the Petite and Grande Ecurie were constructed in the 1680s, and the original building was reassigned to the Queen.
The stables show how central horsemanship and equestrian culture were to the French court. The building housed skilled riders, farriers, and other specialists who worked together to serve royal needs.
The building is not open to the public for tours since it serves as the Court of Appeal. You can view the exterior from the street and it sits in a central location near other royal heritage sites in Versailles.
The building bears a double name reflecting its changing role - first serving the King and later reassigned to the Queen, showing how palace functions shifted with royal needs. This change in designation illustrates the flexible way court spaces were adapted to maintain the complex hierarchies within Versailles.
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