Palace of Versailles - post 1

I have been in Paris before, but never taken the time to visit the Palace of Versailles, about 30 minutes from the city.
That was on the priority-list this time, and although we were together with hundreds others, the six hours spent was a once in the lifetime experience. Never again queuing at least one hour for entrance and walking on command by guides, but absolute a place to visit as long as you can study the images later.

The main golden gate is spectacular and the yard behind shows the magnificent exterior details of the Palace. Behind my hat (1st floor) you will find the king´s bedchamber.

Entering the palace through gate H on ground floor, and following the tourist "route" will give you some extraordinary experiences when it comes to design, size, furniture and art. I have in this post presented some of these rooms / halls, but only the live experience can give full tribute to the beauty of Versailles.

The first Hall is the Chapel de Versailles with the fantastic ceiling. A masterpiece.
The ceiling of the nave represent God the Father in His Glory Bringing to the World the Promise of Redemption and was painted by Antoine Coypel; the half-dome of the apse is decorated with Charles de la Fosse’s The Resurrection of Christ

On the top of the staircase to 1st floor this huge portrait of Louise XIV is almost impossible to catch with an ordinary camera.
After another sculpture walk we entered the king´s apartment.
 From 1678 to the end of Louis XIV’s reign, the grand appartement du roi served as the venue for the king’s thrice-weekly evening receptions, known as les soirées de l’appartement. For these parties, the rooms assumed specific functions:

• Salon de Vénus: buffet tables were arranged to display food and drink for the king’s guests.
• Salon de Diane: served as a billiard room.
• Salon de Mars: served as a ballroom.
• Salon de Mercure: served as a gaming (cards) room.
• Salon d’Apollon: served as a concert or music room.

In corner you enter the the Salon of War,  turn left and enter the astonishing Hall of Mirrors

After being here, I do not think any other halls may be worth visiting. The ceiling and chandeliers takes the breath away. The light through the windows to the garden and reflections in mirrors are astonishing.

You understand quite easy why the name Hall of Mirrors is used. I saw several female adding on lipgloss by looking into the mirror wall.

Behind the Hall of Mirrors facing the garden, the king´s bedchamber is facing the yard and golden gate.

Both the King´s and the Queen´s beds can create nightmares, and on the top we can see that they were early out with duster kits (no ad for Swiffer)

The wall carpet in their breakfast room must be more than 50 sqm. I have no place for it in my home.

Not surprising I believe, the Battles Gallery became my most memorable hall. The history of France can really be seen here, and the series of historical paintings are dedicated to "all the glories of France". Behind my wife the wall is full of battle victories by Napoleon.

On the other side older battles are presented, but we did not find the battle of Waterloo on the walls.

I end this presentation by showing a statue of Louise XIV found among many other important rulers and philosophers like Dagobert I (603 - 639),  Rene Descartes (1596 - 1650 and Napoleon I (1769 - 1821) .

Tomorrow I will give you some of the images from the garden.