The Garden

versaille garden
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

Here's an amateur shot of the garden in Versailles.

It is a very large garden, with an estimated 300 gardeners working for its maintenance during its glorious times. Landscaoe of the garden copied the symmetrical look, following after the Italain (? - not so sure about this) landscape architechture. This garden goes beyind what my camera has captured. And there are over a hundred fountains spread across this garden.

A garden for the Kings and Queens is this.

Napoleon

napoleon coronation
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

After the end of the French empire, Napoleon took the reigns in leading France.

He was a great soldier, very influential, a genius with foresight and vision.

He was crowned as emperor in Notre Damme. This painting shows Napoleon crowning his wife, Josephine, after he crowned himself - instead of the pope doing it. Napoleon did this to show his supremacy even over the church.

Although Napoleon did not live in Versailles, this painting was showcased here, as part of their exhibit of France's history.

End of the Regime

versaille marie antoinette
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

Here's a picture of Queen Marie Antionette and her kids. They are the last royal family to live in the palace. Her husband, King Louis XVI was said to be a good person, with the right manners and morals. However, he was found to be a weak leader. Slow to speak and indecisive.

Grand life in Versailles contrasted the ones lived by commoners. That at some point it created faction and insurgency, due to the inequality.

Thus, the outbrak of the Fresnch Revolution. Revolutionists instigated the downfall of the monarchs. They invaded the castle an beheaded the royal family. Marie Antionette, her kids, and King Loius XVI died because of this.

King Louis XIV established the castle, King Louis XV enjoyed it, and King Louis XVI paid the price.

King Louis XIV

versaille king loiue
Originally uploaded by Rhyanne.

Hail to the King!

Versaille was built by King Louis XIV. His father used this as a hunting lodge but he transformed this into the royal palace.

Beyond liking the provincial air better than in Paris, he did this to control the nobles. Because at that time, the nobles were planning an underground movement. Thus, he created an environment where they could veer away from those thoughts and motivations.

Here, King Louis established an administrative and financial reorganization. It was on his reign that the French culture: theater, music, painting, and sculpture progressed. He also established different the protocols of the nobility - of which the nobles busied themselves instead of planning a revolt.

Apologies

I hope you missed me (hehehehe...) Truly sorry for leaving a while with no permission. I recently arrived from a three week business trip in head office. Had no time to blog. Not to mention that my poor old Palm Pilot friend is busted. Darn! How will I remeber all the facts that Catherine told me?

Tomorrow, when I'm strong enough (and free from work), will continue the virtual tour in Versailles.

Till then!