The Palace Of Versailles Housed The French Government

Still, the negative aspects of France’s rule under King Louis XIV far outweigh the positive ones. His reign can best be described by the statement “L’état, c’est moi,” (I am the state) that is attributed to him. King Louis XIV spent state money to pay for his own luxuries and monuments that glorified his image. It was also customary for the artists King Louis XIV sponsored to include direct or indirect allusions to him in their productions thus creating a god-like image of him. The Palace of Versailles alone used 5% of France’s income. This liberal

Castles, palaces, and cathedrals are scattered across Europe. Each one possesses unique characteristics and architecture bearing resemblance of their time. Some castles incorporate Greek influence, roman or gothic influence in design. Other castles and palaces are surrounded by sculptures outside in the courtyard or include sculptures worshiped as an altarpiece. While any one of these things would serve to make an ordinary castle more elaborate there is one palace that possesses all of these: The Palace of Versailles in France. The Palace of Versailles has managed to incorporate classic architecture, exquisite sculptures, and amalgamated the old design with the newer design trends of the day.

Louis XIV turned France around from an unorganized feuding country to one of the most organized, powerful, innovative monarchies in Europe. In addition, he managed to advance civil equality among the people by turning all the people into his loyal subjects (Norton, p.175). How did he do all this? The armed forces that had formerly been a private enterprise who had been fighting against each other or had hired themselves out for payment, was taken over and consolidated into one entity fighting, by the king for the king. He made war an activity of the state which produced peace and order in France while strengthening the fighting power of France against other states (Norton, p.175). In addition, he put soldiers in uniform, taught them how to march in step and housed them in barracks which assisted them in becoming more susceptible to discipline and control (Norton, p.175). There was now a hierarchy in place and was able to get a greater degree of government control that put him on the top as the commander in chief of the army due to his power and the creation of the first large civilian administration (Norton, p.176). This was the first time that ministers of war consisted of civilians and this grew the armies power exponentially. Louis XIV also overhauled the grandeur of France when he took an old village Versailles and turned it into the palace of Versailles that became known as one of the most splendid marvels in Europe so much so, that it became the envy of lessor kings.

He built Versailles, a beautiful palace outside of Paris for his nobles. Lined with gardens and filled with fountains + opulent architecture + decorations Versailles was a veritable playground for the nobles. There were balls, fancy clothes + huge numbers of servants, and most of the nobles¡¯ incomes were spent on these luxuries. Thus, the status of the nobles was high and they were wealthy + lived an indulgent lifestyle, but they had no political power in the French government.

Another great piece of evidence supporting the statement that Louis XIV is the best example of an absolute monarch is his palace at Versailles. This palace was bigger than any other palace, more expensive, and better in just about everyway, except for being good for its country, France. The palace at Versailles was originally built as a small hunting lodge by Louis XIV’s father, Louis XIII in 1624. In 1669, Louis XIV decided to expand the palace, and moved into the palace in 1682 while parts of the building were still under construction. The palace was of monumental size, with a around 2,000 rooms, 15,000 acres of gardens and lawns and woods, and costing what would cost an estimated $2 billion in 1994, a extremely large sum of money for France. To run the fountains, it would cost so much money and use so much water that Louis’ workers would turn the fountains on when they saw him coming, and turn them off when he passed. The palace usually held about 7,000

Ruler Louis XIV did a great deal of things taking after the attributes of a flat

King Louis had his builders construct the Palace of Versailles to stay in during hunting trips. Although many builders contributed to the palace, they could not have done it without Colbert, Le Brun, Le Vau, and Le Notre. Colbert directed the works, Le Brun and Le Vau decorated the palace, and Le Notre was the chief gardener. The area around the palace was full of animals for King Louis to hunt.

King Louise XIV loved to dance, and in order to show power and hierarchy in France, he built the palace of Versailles. Each member of the court was required

King Louis XIV made it clear that he was in control and that he would make all decisions on his own. Throughout King Louis’ XIV reign he would take advice from his people but King Louis XIV had the sole power to make all decisions. “I order you not to sign anything, not even a passport without my command” (Glenco 465). During the reign of King Louis XIV he made the decision to build the Palace of Versailles. Versailles was built to help King Louis XIV keep control over his government. The Royal Court of Versailles allowed the King to control his government under one roof from housing the chief offices of state to housing powerful rulers. The decision to house the powerful heads of states allowed King Louis XIV to dictate their daily activities under his control. King Louis’ XIV decision making skills led him to be one of the most powerful absolute

Many achievements for advancement were accomplished during the late 1700s and early 1800s. The French King Louis XIV created at Versailles, near Paris a elaborate court and in 1680s he transformed a small chateau into the largest building in Europe, 12 miles from Paris. Also, Louis XIV carried off successfully a dual functions. He was both King in council and King in court. In his view, the two rules went together and he held

King Louis XIV conquered many countries to gain money and power during his reign. This quote by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, from his memorandum, shows the money that France got from conquering all these countries, “You have already conquered Spain, Italy, Germany, England, and some other in which you have caused great misery and want, and by despoiling them you have enriched yourself, whereby you have gained the means to do all the great things which you have done and still continue to do every day.” French kings and queens lived in high luxury with their lavish castles, extravagant parties, and fine jewelry. Louis XIV used the money he gained to glorify the monarchy. King Louis XIV turned the Chateau de Versailles into a palace and moved the government and court (nobility) there in 1682.

1. Versailles was a small town 10 miles from Paris that Louis XIV installed his royal court. It can be said that the palace of Versailles was used as a device to ruin the nobility of France since Louis XIV required that they spend at least some part of the year living their taking away the control they were use to by forcing them all to subjection making them mingle with everyone indiscriminately. The palace was made so magnificent that it was overpowering, it was the symbol of the king’s power. Versailles could definitely be considered a prison for the nobility of France.

Another thing that Louis changed was the appearance and way of life of France. These great towns of France went under a sort of "metamorphosis". The landscape was altered and monuments were built everywhere. Louis decided that he wanted to isolate the center of government from the city of Paris, so he constructed the palace of Versailles. It was an object of universal admiration and enhanced French prestige. It became Louis’ permanent address in 1682 and was also the home to thousands of the more important nobles, royal officials, and

Title- The road from Versailles: Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the fall of the French Monarchy

Versailles was not always a château or a royal palace it was also a country village on the road to Paris. Now let’s step back to when it was being built. There was a total of four campaigns each lasting around 4-20 years. The first campaign was building the garden and apartments to accommodate 600 guest invited to a celebration party and not much else happened in this campaign. The second building campaign was mainly about creating a place for the royal family to stay at. Louis XIV the king had his own room and his queen also had her own room. Louis’ XIV brother and sister-in-law had their own room as well. A hunting lodge for the royal family was also created for them to stay at as well. The second campaign was also being at