Versailles

Did you know Versailles started as a small village? It was once known mostly for its woods and hunting grounds.

Over time, it became the center of power in France. Today, it’s one of the most visited places in Europe.

From 1682 to 1789, Versailles was the de facto capital of France.

The story begins with Louis XIII. In the 1620s, he built a modest hunting lodge there.

His son, Louis XIV, the “Sun King”, had much bigger plans. He expanded the lodge into a magnificent palace and seat of government.

In 1682, Louis XIV moved his court and government from Paris to Versailles. The town was completely reshaped to support royal life.

New streets, markets, and neighborhoods sprang up to serve the court.

For more than a century, Versailles was the stage for royal ceremonies, politics, and intrigue.

But it also came to symbolize inequality. The court’s luxury clashed with the struggles of ordinary people.

That tension exploded in 1789 with the French Revolution. Crowds marched on Versailles, and the royal family was forced to return to Paris.

Afterward, much of the palace was neglected. Priceless furnishings were sold, and many rooms were repurposed.

Yet Versailles still played key roles in history.

In 1871, the German emperor was proclaimed there after France lost to Prussia. In 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors, ending World War I.

Today, Versailles is a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage site.