The history of Versailles is inextricably linked with the figure of Louis XIV. Besides the pleasures of hunting, Versailles also constituted a location to retreat to, where the king would come in search of solitude, notably after his relationship with his platonic mistress, Mlle de La Fayette, ended in 1637. The king rarely invited guests here and, although the second palace contained apartments for the queen, Anne of Austria never slept in theme because her husband, the king, always ensured she had transport back to Saint-Germain or Paris. Despite this seemingly humble role, it was here that the Day of the Dupes, a major event in the history of the French crown, culminated in November 1630. These two small palaces, whose architectural style was neither distinctive nor particularly fashionable, were royal residences of leisure. The king also bought part of the fiefdom of Versailles in 1632.įind out more about the origins of the Palace

Construction continued until 1634 and laid the basis of the Palace we know today. It was a small country residence and, according to the Maréchal de Bassompierre, “a mere gentleman would not have been overly proud of the construction.” Louis XIII decided to rebuild it in 1631. In late 1623 the king decided to build a small hunting lodge where he could stay the night and which he first used in June 1624. Ideally situated between his principal residence at Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Paris, it was surrounded by woods that were noisy with pheasants, boars and stags. Crowned king in 1610, he next came in 1621, and his liking for the location only grew stronger.

According to Héroard, however, the doctor who recorded the visit, the Dauphin did not return until 1617. He discovered a forest and meadows with plenty of game, which also pleased his father, Henry IV. The young Dauphin – the future Louis XIII – came to Versailles for his first hunting trip on 24 August 1607.

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