Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is a former royal residence commissioned by King Louis XIV located in Versailles, about 19 kilometres (12 mi) west of Paris, France.
palace-of-versailles

Some of the key events about Palace of Versailles

  • 1624
    Construction of a small hunting lodge began on the site of the future palace
  • 1661
    Major expansion and renovation of the palace commenced
  • 1682
    The royal court officially moved from Paris to Versailles
  • 1682
    The French royal court moved to Versailles, centralizing power and isolating the monarchy from the people
  • 1685
    The Hall of Mirrors, a grand gallery with 357 mirrors, was completed
  • 1685
    The Edict of Fontainebleau was signed at Versailles, revoking religious freedoms for Protestants in France
  • 1756
    The Treaty of Versailles was signed, aligning France with Austria against Prussia and Britain in the Seven Years' War
  • 1770
    The Royal Opera of Versailles was inaugurated
  • 1770
    An extravagant and expensive wedding celebration was held for the future Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
  • 1774
    Louis XVI ascended to the throne, inheriting a kingdom with severe financial problems
  • 1783
    The Treaty of Paris, ending the American Revolutionary War, was signed at the palace
  • 1783
    The Treaty of Paris was signed at Versailles, ending the American Revolutionary War but further straining French finances
  • 1789
    The Women's March on Versailles forced the royal family to leave the palace and return to Paris
  • 1793
    The palace was stripped of its furnishings and artwork during the French Revolution
  • 1837
    The Palace of Versailles was transformed into a museum dedicated to French history
  • 1871
    The German Empire was proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors
  • 1871
    The German Empire was proclaimed in the Hall of Mirrors, humiliating France after its defeat in the Franco-Prussian War
  • 1919
    The Treaty of Versailles, ending World War I, was signed in the Hall of Mirrors
  • 1919
    The Treaty of Versailles was signed, imposing harsh penalties on Germany after World War I, contributing to future conflicts
  • 1979
    The Palace and Park of Versailles were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

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