WHY WAS THE
PALACE OF VERSAILLES
BUILT?
In the 17th century, Louis XIV of France was famous for his power and wealth.
He was the most important monarch in Europe. The
palace that was
built for him at Versailles, outside Paris, became the model for palaces throughout the continent.
It took forty-seven years to build and was renowned for it extreme grandeur.Great crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, their candlelight reflected in gilded mirrors. Fine tapestries and painting decorated the walls. There is an emblem of the sun on the main gate of the palace. It portrays Louis as the ‘Sun King’