Paris: Palace and gardens of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles (French: Palais de Versailles, pronounced roughly as "pallet versay"), but is called Château (castle, mansion) of Versailles, is a building that served as a royal residence for centuries past. The Palace is located in the town of Versailles, Île-de-France. Its construction was ordered by Louis XIV.

Louis XIV decided to build left Paris and Versailles as a small town out of trouble. Would have several construction phases, marked by the mistresses of Louis XIV.

First stage (1661-1668): It would be a hunting lodge to which were added two wings that formed the closing parade. They are brick facades and also unifies the deck using the blackboard and attics.

Second stage (1668-1678): Louis XIV intended to move the court to Versailles definitely. Added two wings to give visual priority to the garden, by Jules Hardouin Mansart. The facade facing the garden is built on the Italian model. A first floor ashlars. A double-height main floor with recessed bays playing with incoming and outgoing and alternating columns and pilasters. Finally, a third floor attic would be topped by a series of sculptural figures (trophies and vases) that almost can not see the fall of the roof, which is not very steep.They live to 20,000 people.

Third stage and final stage (1678-1680): The extension by Mansart built the chapel which is real important because it is copied in Spain. It is located at the end of the palace. It stands around the temple and the king stood on the altar.

The garden of Versailles is classicist, neat, streamlined. With landscaping undertakes circulation. Create an organization that links all the sculptures and sources, and exalts the monarchy. The sculptures are identified each other. Progressive civilization of the garden: very tidy, pruning and care in the area close to the palace, and then goes asilvestrando.

The whole palace and park of Versailles, including the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

The museum of the palace of Versailles were created in 1837 by Camille Bachasson, Earl of Montalivet by order of Louis Philippe known as "Museum of the history of France."

They constitute, with its 18,000 m² the largest museum of world history. The museum contains a collection of paintings collected or commissioned by Louis Philippe, are organized by historical series.For some departments exhibition halls were transformed into museum.

Currently, the museum of the history of France is located in the wings, while the central part (except for the ground floor), large departments, the private rooms and departments of the royal family, have been restored and can be seen as as they were when they were occupied by the kings.

Comprises three palaces Versailles: Versailles Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, as well as countless buildings in the village: large and small stables, small pleasures hotel room, Game of Palma, the Great Common ...

The Palace of Versailles has 700 rooms, 2,513 windows, 352 chimneys (1,252 during the Old Regime), 67 staircases, 483 mirrors (distributed in the Grand Gallery, Hall of War and Peace Hall), and 13 acres of chimneys . The total area is 67,121 m² of which 50,000 are open to the public.

The park has 800 acres, 300 of forest and two French gardens: the small park, is 80 ha. and Trianon, 50 ha. It has 20 km ² of fences and walks 42 km ², with 372 statues.

Among the 55 ponds, the bigger they are, the Grand Canal, 24 ha. 500.000 m² and the pond of the Swiss, of 180,000 m². There are 600 suppliers and 35 km ² of channeling.

More information: www.wikipedia.org