Paris1972-Versailles2003

And I continue with nostalgia and great memorable moments in my life. This is a town I know very well, of course lived there 9 + years of our lives, and keep many nice memorable moments. We have re visited and have several, many posts on it in my blog. However, I like to tell you more of it with new found pictures in my vault that should be in my blog, Proud member of Friends of the castle since 2004. Therefore, this is my new take on the Château de Versailles ,part VI !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.

My playground with my family and visiting friends, I love to tell you more of course, never ending saga, My Versailles is capital of the dept 78 Yvelines of the Île de France region of my belle France, Constitutionally chosen if any changes, amendments are made to the French constitution, the government must move here and becomes the de facto capital of France, A whold history of France, Europe, and the World at your feet, just do the walking is awesome.

The galerie des Glaces or Gallery of Mirrors is a large baroque-style gallery which is one of the emblematic pieces of the Château de Versailles. Conceived and built from 1678 to 1684 by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, it was then intended to illustrate the power of the absolute monarch Louis XIV and to dazzle its visitors, by its ornamentation, by its rich iconography and by its original dimensions of 73 meters long, 10.50 meters wide, and covered with 357 mirrors, or 21 mirrors at each of its 17 arches facing 17 windows. Located on the first floor of the central body of the palace, it faces, the gardens of the palace, of which it gives a great perspective.

You come to the gardens to admire the Bassin du Dragon, sculptured in 1667, with serpents being attacked by archers, throw its blood but better water by its mouth. They were put here in 1668 welcoming the triumphant Louis XIV from the war and the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle. The bassin du Dragon is at the intersection between the avenue de Trianon and the allée d’Eau, and in the alignment of the Neptune basin which it precedes. At the start of the Apollinian course, this basin stages the dragon Python, launched by Juno in pursuit of Latone, pregnant of Apollo and Artemis, Here, the Marsy brothers chose to represent the dying dragon, pierced with arrows of Apollo, and spitting his blood represented by the huge jet of water emerging from his mouth. It has a horse mane, pointed wings and a fish tail. Around it are four children armed with arcs and arrows, who symbolize Apollo, mounted on swans and escorted by four dolphins. The gaze is led to the castle by the allée d’Eau to the pyramid basin, symbol of knowledge, which represents the oracle of Delphi.

The official Château de Versailles on the Galerie des Glaces: https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/palace/hall-mirrors

The official Château de Versailles on the fountains: https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/gardens/fountains#neptune-fountain

The Versailles tourist office on the palace gardens: https://en.versailles-tourisme.com/the-versailles-gardens.html

There you go folks, the grandeur of France before your eyes, yes crowded, yes busy, but you are still coming and for a good reason. There is no other castle/palace/museum that can equal it for architecture, history and just a beautiful property. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Château de Versailles ,part VI !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!