The Palace of Versailles, France

The Palace of Versailles, called for short the Palace of Versailles, is one of the former residences of the French kings. It is located in the city of Versailles, Ile-de-France region. It is one of the most famous palaces in Europe, located southwest of Paris, closely associated with the life and reign of Louis XIV, known as the Sun King. The Palace of Versailles is the most vivid symbol of a rejected but invariably fascinating social system. Housing the most lavish royal court since the collapse of the Roman Empire and undoubtedly the most visited French castle, Versailles was built at the zenith of the French monarchy's greatness - a century-long heyday that lasted from 1682, when Louis XIV moved here from Paris. The design of the Palace of Versailles was commissioned by the King from the architect Louis le Vau in 1661. The idea was to restore and enlarge an older, smaller palace. Le Vau's work was based on a completely new construction and aesthetic approach, which is why the building became a sensation after the initial stage.

The second phase of construction, an extension, began in 1668, with new buildings added around the throne room. The third and final campaign involved over 30,000 workers and craftsmen and lasted a decade. After its construction, the Sun King moved his seat from Paris to Versailles. At the outbreak of the French Revolution, the palace suffered considerable damage, which was partially restored after its completion.

The façade of the castle is about 576 m long, and the huge beautiful parkland gardens were used by the monarch for lavish parties and revels. A total of 101 hectares are occupied by the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, and 1400 water features are scattered along them, with 400 sculptures adorning the entire complex. The Swan Fountain, built on the orders of Louis XIII, was renovated in 1671 and turned into the Fountain of Apollo.

After the death of Louis XIV in 1715, his successor commissioned architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel to build a magnificent court opera house in the north wing with a movable stage for 700 spectators.

A number of international treaties were signed at the Palace of Versailles. Since its construction, the Palace of Versailles has been an emblem of the power, supremacy and entertainment of the French monarchy.

In 1717, Tsar Peter the Great of Russia, during his visit to France, spent some time at Versailles. Admiring the splendour of the palace, he used it as a model for the construction of his Peterhof near St Petersburg.