History of Versailles
Originally a hunting lodge built by Louis XIII in 1623, Versailles was transformed into a royal château by Louis XIV, the Sun King, in 1661. The king sought to centralize power and moved his government from Paris to Versailles, which became the epicenter of political and cultural life in France. The construction of the palace continued throughout Louis XIV's reign and beyond, with architects Louis Le Vau and Jules Hardouin-Mansart playing significant roles in its design and expansion.
The palace served as the royal residence until the French Revolution in 1789, when King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were forced to leave Versailles for Paris. The palace was ransacked during the revolution, and many of its treasures were stolen or destroyed. After the revolution, Versailles was used for various purposes, including as a military barracks and a school.
Today, Versailles is a museum and a symbol of France's rich history and the opulence of its monarchy. It has been meticulously restored and maintained, allowing visitors to experience the grandeur of the French court during the Ancien Régime.
