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Palace of Versailles

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Palace of Versailles (commonly called Versailles), a royal chauteau built in 1624 with many stages of expansion afterward. Famed for its large size and very neatly ordered garden by landscape architect André Le Nôtre.

King Louis XIV was responsible for much of its expansions, trying to outdo the splendor of Vaux-le-Vicomte built for interim ruler of France Nicolas Fouquet. Versailles became a symbol of the height of aristocratic indulgences; Louis XIV often held parties here and invited the nobles to stay. By keeping them away from their estates and in the midst of luxury, Louis XIV reduced the power of the nobles and allowed him to have more direct rule over France.

Timeline summary of major sections:

  • 1624: the original chateau
  • 1668-71: first enlargement by architect Louis Le Vau
  • 1678-82: addition of Galerie des Glaces and Salons of War and of Peace
  • 1679-82: addition of South wing (architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart)
  • 1684+: addition of North/Prince wing (Hardouin-Mansart)
  • 1698-1708: addition of chapel (Hardouin-Mansart)
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