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onjour, we have chosen to dedicate October’s newsletter to one of the most beautiful monuments in France,
located just 25 miles southwest of Paris: The Castle of Versailles. Never actually finished due to the
many successive wars and the Revolution, it remains, however, one of the finest jewels of the French
Crown and one of the most stunning designs of its creator, the Sun King, Louis the Fourteenth.
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| The Castle of Versailles |
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The Choice of Versailles
When Louis the Fourteenth set his sights on Versailles, he was already acquainted with the terrain.
In fact, his father, Louis the Thirteenth, had constructed a hunting cabin on the land where he
enjoyed the wilderness and the serenity that it had to offer. However, the passions of Louis the
Fourteenth surpassed those of his father. He earnestly desired for Versailles to be the most
beautiful palace in Europe as well as the pentacle of his great power and the official residence
of the kingdom. Controversy encircled him, but was quelled, as no one dared to contradict the king.
In spite of this, the controversy was a substantial presence. "Why Versailles?" Inquired the
courtesans and ministers. The area, located far from Paris, was swampy and untamed. Ironically,
in old French, the word "Versial" means "terrain where the weeds have been pulled." The existing
modest version of the castle was a far cry from the regal and grand Versailles that Louis the
Fourteenth was determined to erect. The king envisioned the estate as the ideal setting to reign
as absolute master. His reflection of childhood was melancholy as it was marred by years of the
"Sling" and plots to destabilize the monarchy. Paris remained a politically uncertain environment,
but by lodging his ministers and his court at Versailles, he centralized his power and protected
himself from treasonous acts.
A Palace in the Image of the Sun King
The comprehensive and expansive renovations began in 1661 shortly after the king's wedding, as it
served as an enjoyable retreat for him and the Queen. The first festivals, which marked his reign,
were organized four years later and were so sumptuous that they quickly became renowned throughout
Europe. However, the location rapidly became cramped, and when the king told his minister, Colbert,
that he wished to hold his council in Versailles, new excavations were begun. The surface area of
the castle was quintupled thanks to the construction of stone buildings that enclosed the original
castle. As years passed the castle was completely transformed. The Baroque style epitomized perfection,
harmony and enchantment. The king's absolute power was symbolized in the apartments located in the
center of the castle. The sun was the monarchic symbol, and in his apartments, each room was devoted
to one of the seven planets that circled the magical star and constituted a virtual tour to the heart
of mythology.
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| Recipe
for October 2003 |
French Veal Stew
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Cooking SOS !
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The Hall of Mirrors
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Originally, the old castle was surrounded by two identical and symmetrical buildings, which were joined
by a large terrace. Unfortunately, the climate in this area does not allow for the preservation of this
terrace and is, therefore, closed. This marvelous room, probably the most beautiful in the castle, was
an extension of the king's apartments. This great hall is entered through the War room and is exited
through the Peace room that led to the Queen's apartments. Whether it was used as a royal wedding hall,
a reception hall for visiting ambassadors or simply as the "Room of Lost Steps", this hall spectacularly
illustrated the king's wishes to dazzle and mark his power. The 17 arcades adored with mirrors alternating
with 17 windows and majestically linked for 73 meters, constitute a true technical miracle. Louis the
Fourteenth had these made by local manufacturers, a formidable revenge on concurrent Italian manufactures.
All is splendor, beauty and sophistication: the lights, the marbles, the gilding, and the large paintings
that evoke the French victories. The only marvel probably missing today is the chiseled silver throne in
front of which Louis XIV would stand to welcome the personalities of the world. This, like many other
pieces of the castle's furniture, was melted and recast for reasons of war.
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The Gardens and The Fountains of Versailles
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During the expansion and embellishment of the castle, King Louis the Fourteenth entrusted the
creation of the gardens to Le Nôtre. It took approximately 20 years to achieve this majestic
wonder where all is in perfect symmetry and harmony. The gardens provide areas for walking
while the flowerbeds are drawn so as to enhance the castle's beauty. More than 300 statues,
vases and busts decorate the alleyways. Water is equally omnipresent with 1400 fountains,
jets and waterfalls (only 607 remain today) as an integral part of the production. During
the era of Louis the Fourteenth, water was rare, and 6.2 million liters of water were needed
every hour. The king did not want to waste this invaluable liquid, so he ordered only the
fountains that he passed on his daily strolls to be activated. The sun theme is honored in
the gardens as it is inside the castle. Each alley offers the spectator an allegorical figure
and each thicket hides a mythical legend. All is elegant, majestic and symbolizes the
ever-powerful king.
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Housing Shortage at Versailles
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The Versailles Castle is one of the largest in the world with 700 rooms, more than 2000 windows,
1250 chimneys, 67 staircases and 8000 hectares of grounds. However, at the time, 3000 princes,
courtesans, ministers and servants lived here permanently. Places were invaluable and intrigues
numerous. There were no rules in obtaining an apartment, a room without comfort or a closet space
where cohabitation was not always easy. One might have tried his luck at cards, pay or actually
threaten. One watched for the departure or death of another courtier. The most coveted spaces
were those close to the king's apartment because as important as it was to see the king, it was
far more important to be seen by him! To attend his rising, his meals, or his bedtime was more
than an honor; it was an absolute necessity. To these political reasons were added economical
ones: to live at the castle kept one from having to pay the cost of an entire entourage that was
needed to travel from one's private hotel to the palace everyday.
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The Dangerous Games of Love
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Only a marriage between the king of France and the Infant Marie Thérèse of Spain could stop
the bloody and devastating war between these two countries that had continued for more than
20 years. Louis the Fourteenth loved another, but the state of affairs was stronger than
love and the union was consecrated in 1660. Very quickly rumors of his infidelities abounded.
When the castle of Versailles was enlarged, he had various secret galleries built near his
apartment to allow his many courtesans to reach him. The two most famous to be forever
associated with the Sun King are Louise de la Vallière and Madame de Montespan. The first
was only 17 years old when she became the king's mistress. She was tender, in love and faithful.
The second was the complete opposite, which was probably what charmed the monarch, or was it
rather the black masses that she had read or the love potions that she had concocted by a witch,
La Voisin, slipped into the food of her lover to insure he remained in love. On
February 22, 1680, La Voisin was burned at the Place of Grève in Paris. Madame de Montespan
escaped the burning: the king was so horrified by the revelations of La Voisin's accomplices,
that he had the procedures stopped and all the compromising documents burned.
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Visiting Versailles
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When the sovereign king settled in Versailles in 1682, he ordered the doors of the
castle opened to anyone who wished to visit. The gates were, therefore, kept open
all day with guards at the entrances who protected the king. They insured that no
visitor carried any weapons and controlled the entrance of the carriages authorized
to enter the courtyard. Even the most humble of the king's subjects were allowed to
enter as long as they followed proper etiquette. In fact, all visitors were required
to wear hat and sword. This apparel could be rented at the entrance if needed. With
fine-tuned organization, the masses that came reveled in the daily life of the royal
family. The most refined and beautiful paintings, tapestries and sculptures executed
by the greatest French and Italian masters adorn every room in the castle. The art
collection is so great that as early as 1690 a guide was graciously placed at the
disposition of all the visitors.
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From the age of five, Louis the Fourteenth began the longest reign of history, more than 70 years
of absolute power where he rendered France the greatest economical and military power of Europe
and undertook brilliant feats of modernization. Though intrigues and wars plunged the end of his
rule into darkness, the Sun King devoted 50 of those years to offer France the most prestigious
symbol of all his power: The Castle of Versailles.
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