The histories of Louis XIV and the Palace of Versailles are inextricably linked. Although the original château existed before him, a young Louis XIV developed a great fondness for Versailles, deciding to expand it far beyond the modest hunting lodge built by his father. The king had a clear architectural vision for the site, intending to create a masterpiece that would forever be associated with his name.
His first visit occurred in October 1641, when his father, Louis XIII, brought the future king and his brother to Versailles to escape a smallpox epidemic raging in the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. As Louis XIV was only three years old at the time, it is unlikely he recalled this initial stay. Years later, according to the Gazette de France of April 18, 1651, he enjoyed a hunt there in the company of his governor before being hosted for dinner by the château’s governor, René de Longueuil. From that time on, the young sovereign returned regularly with his brother, his mother Anne of Austria, and Cardinal Mazarin.
In 1661, King Louis XIV began a massive expansion of the palace and its gardens. His vision was not only to create a place for leisure and escape from the bustle of Paris but also to establish a magnificent seat of power. Ultimately, he relocated the entire French government and the royal court to Versailles. Throughout the reign of Louis XIV, construction was nearly constant. Among the most notable projects were the Forecourt, started in 1662, and the magnificent Hall of Mirrors. In addition to these, other major constructions during his reign included the “Le Vau Envelope” (which encased the original château), the North and South Wings, the Pavilions for the Secretaries of State, the Grand Commun, and the Royal Chapel.
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