And I am staying in my old neighborhood of Versailles to showcase some of its beauties to the world. This is a place that needs no introduction as it is world famous with over 8M visitors last year! to the palace/museum alone. Unfortunately, 98% of visitors only go to the palace/museum and missed on a lot to see in the city of Versailles. This is my 2001 post in my blog!! Thanks!
Nevertheless, the fame is such that I need to showcase some areas of it that I think merits more from the palace/museum better known as the Château de Versailles. And more as the Domaine de Versailles if we includes the vast park of which you find the trianons, farm, orangerie, and vast gardens on either side of the Grand Canal! I like to take just one room I like that is the Mars room or Salon de Mars!
The Mars room or Salon de Mars is a room of the Château de Versailles, in dept 78 Yvelines, region of Île-de-France. It is part of the King’s Great Apartments, this room decorated with the theme of Mars, the god of Roman mythology, served as the Hall of the Guards of the time of king Louis XIV.
A bit of history I like
The Salon de Mars, which follows the salons of Venus and Diane, was a function of the guard hall. It marked the real entrance to the King’s apartment, giving access to the salon de Mercure. At the apartment evenings get together set up by king Louis XIV, the Mars room was first devoted to games. There were several tables for card games and other games of chance. Around 1685, the king pierced the two walls on either side of the chimney and arranged two grandstands supported by columns for the musicians. The Mars room is then devoted to music and dance. King Louis XV made these grandstands disappear in 1750.
The wonderful Mars room is elaborate decorated and just plain gorgeous a must to see.
As the function of the Mars room imposes, the iconography of the ceiling is devoted to the god Mars and to the works of warriors. A gilded cornice is supported by helmets of all models such as Romans, Turks.etc. The central composition represents Mars on a chariot pull by wolves. It is framed by two other compositions, East and west: The victory sustained by Hercules followed by Abundance and Bliss and terror, fury and fright seize the powers of the Earth.
The paintings of the covings, in Camaïeu d’or, illustrate the achievements of great warriors of ancient history such as the vaults of Julius Caesar passing his legions in review, Cyrus haranguing his soldiers, and Demetrios Poliorcete taking a city by assault. The Triumph of Constantine,Marc Anthony rewards an officer,and Alexandre Severus, degrades an officer.
These shades are linked together by natural compositions forming a frieze representing warrior loves such as the spandrels, treated in bas-reliefs of gilded stucco, realized according to drawings of Le Brun and illustrate the military supremacy of France over the European powers: The Allegory of the victory of French troops on the Turks during the Battle of the Saint Gotthard. Allegory of French supremacy on the sea. Allegory of the supremacy of France over Spain and Holland and Allegory of France’s supremacy over the Empire.
Again is part of the itinerary of seeing the palace/museum but it merits a bit of time to observe all the above. Some webpages to help you plan your trip here are
Official chateau de Versailles on the Mars room in English
Tourist office of Versailles on tourist office contacts
City of Versailles on things to see
Hope you enjoy the Salon de Mars as much as we do. One of the highlights of visiting the Chateau de Versailles, come early the world is already there!

view from salon de mars to gardens
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!