Pearl French architecture in the lens

• The Pearl of French architecture in the lens

Pearl French architecture and magnificent palace vain monarch, Versailles was created to emphasize the greatness of the "Sun King" Louis XIV. But all the luxuries then there was no toilet provided.

Before the reign of Louis XIV was the residence of French monarchs Louvre, but after a while, "the Sun King" decided to build a new palace in the suburbs of Paris. The official reason for the construction of the King called fear for their lives. He repeatedly said that politics will not let him sleep, so you want to transfer the residence away from Paris conspirators.

In fact, the reason the case was different.

In the Castle Fouquet (Vaux-le-Vicomte).

Having a housewarming party at the finance minister Fouquet, Louis XIV saw the palace, which was much nicer and more luxurious than the Louvre. And monarchs do not like when someone demonstrates his superiority.

That same evening, Louis XIV ordered to come to his architects Louis Le Vau, Jules Hardouin-Mansart and park planner André Le Nôtre. They are given the task: to create unprecedented beauty of the palace, which reflects all the grandeur of the French king. Thus began the history of Versailles. But Fouquet had to pay for the hurt pride of Louis XIV and was arrested in the same 1661.

The Palace of Versailles. Pierre Patel, 1668. Louis XIV persistently focused on the architects that the palace should be built with high quality and in the shortest possible time. But it did not work. In Versailles send thousands of workers. Then this figure has grown by 30 times. When a country with no one to fight, for the construction of the palace and sent soldiers. People literally worked day and night. Because of this, in the dark frequent accidents with a fatal outcome. Initially, this information concealed from the king, but when the truth surfaced, the monarch ordered to pay the families of the victims generous compensation.

Marble Courtyard Palace of Versailles on the site which was once a hunting lodge.

Money for the construction of the complex were taken from treasury. Gradually, however, the flow of funds decreased. Then the king shifted the mission to the court. Each nobleman, who stood apartments at Versailles, during the Nine Years War was supposed to pay for their construction.

The small apartments of the King at Versailles.

Urgent construction and lack of funds have a downside. A lot of fireplaces were not functioning, on the windows and the doors could see the gaps, which is why indoor wind howled, and the whole building was very cold.

The Palace of Versailles Church.

But the most amazing thing is that with all the splendor of the palace architects have not designed any toilet! The king and queen were for "those" cases mobile booths and court defecate anywhere. In the galleries of Versailles, you can find a lot of nooks, niches. Previously, they were closed by heavy curtains. That's where the aristocracy suit "public toilets".

Hall of Mirrors. Versailles.

Major apartment France Queen.

By the way, that's when "the Sun King" decreed that all were in Versailles, generously drenched spirits. Some strong flavors interrupting others. Many guides claim that in the remote corners of Versailles still stands stinking smell.

The small apartment and a library of Louis XVI.

Work on the construction of Versailles continued after the death of Louis XIV. Palace content dispense followed monarch expensive. And during the French Revolution of 1789 was a magnificent complex ruthlessly plundered. However, when Napoleon came to power, he decided to revive the grandeur of Versailles, but he did not succeed.