Versailles History - Louis XIII

Learn all about the history of the Versailles Palace and the French monarchy.

Louis XIII of France and its history at Versailles

The location of Versailles was formerly a small community with a church. In order to hunt in the region’s abundant hunting grounds, King Henry IV of France made multiple trips there beginning in 1589. On 24 August 1607, the future Louis XIII, son of King Henry IV was taken to Versailles for hunting. He discovered a large area of forest and meadows that pleased both him and his father. After this many times, Louis XIII visited Versailles but as per the doctor who recorded this visit, King Louis XIII did not visit Versailles till 1617. Being crowned king in 1610, he returned back in 1621 and was passionate about building a hunting lodge. He was finding a perfect environment for hunting.

louis xiii

In 1623, King Louis XIII commissioned Nicolas Huau, a wealthy entrepreneur, to construct a hunting lodge for him on a hilltop overlooking Versailles’ historic center. The lodge was of modest design and able to accommodate King and his fellow hunters, but still, it could not meet the King’s expectations and was finally replaced with a palace.

Architect Philibert Le Roy was appointed for the construction of the Palace. He constructed a palace made up of three U-shaped parts with corner pavilions. The King’s residence was constructed with bricks and stones. Buying the seigneury of Versailles and building of royal tennis court is evidence of the King’s growing importance at Versailles.

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