30/7/13 Versailles (3)

All the usuals...gold, marble, granite, big, bold, flash...

This is the entry to the Hall of Mirrors...mirrors were very expensive back then & very prized.

You can get some idea of size by the people inside.

Mirrors covering the walls on the left & floor to ceiling glass on the right. Swarovski crystal chandeliers throughout & as a surprise, all the mirrors were hidden doors that could open up & go into different rooms in the Palace.

A statue, crystal, cherub light I think?

The Roman Goddess Diana after a sojourn in the Kings hunting grounds I would think.

At the end of all the Royal beds was a low balustrade (gold of course) to ensure that during an audience with any Royalty, you kept your distance...can you see the little gate to get in & out. Seriously though, you could just walk over it, but I suppose if your Royal?

Hmmm..what will I put in that out of the way corner to cheer it up?

A small section of the gardens from one of the windows of the Palace...nice view.

Marie Antoinette's bedroom. Protocol allowed the King to visit her in her chambers, but she was never allowed to visit the King in his.

This is the room where she was found when the people stormed the Palace during the French Revolution. She & King Louis were then taken to Palace in Paris & both eventually beheaded. I think it was that 'let them eat cake' comment that did her no favours?

This is the Dining Room where at every meal they were served 5 courses. The leftovers were then allowed to be eaten by chosen staff & servants & their leftovers (how much food did they prepare?) were taken down to the Palace Gates to be sold to the people for a reasonable price I am told.

Marie Antoinette & her children. The young boy is pointing to the empty cot because while the painting was in progress, the child died. Only the little girl on the left survived & lived a sad life, childless & so ended the direct reign of the Kings Louis...just like that.

This painting takes up the whole wall of one large room.

The inner courtyard that leads to the chambers of the children & the mistress's of the King. The King & Queen lived on the 1st floor...& maybe a mistress or 2?

One of the kids rooms.

A library/sitting room for the children & their tutors.

Another child's bedroom.