Places of interest in Versailles
Parner Sites
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Versailles During Revolution
The city of Versailles was at its peak when Louis XIV transferred to the Palace of Versailles in 1682. It was also during that year that Versailles was announced as the seat power and the new center of France. Because of this, Versailles became the sought after place to stay. Not only is this city the new center, the king enticed the people of France to stay here by selling the land for next to nothing with certain conditions. Because of the control of the King (even the market days was his decision) the place became picturesque and the seat of power. However, things change for Versailles during Revolution. The people started to come up with the idea of democracy and they were fighting for it with their life. Louis the XIV was no longer the king and it was already Louis the XVI. During the French Revolution, the seat of power was no longer in Versailles. The king was already forced to transfer to the Paris by the demands of the People. The Palace of Versailles was perceived to be one of the reasons that the people revolted against the absolute power of the Monarchy.
Why the Palace? The estate was really, really large and very expensive to maintain even for a very big country like France. The whole garden, which is preserved until today, was more than 800 hectares and the structure was also remarkable. There were a lot of servants to feed and to pay and the King and his royal court was also living a very extravagant life. It’s really not easy for the people to keep this Palace running. Some historians believe that at least 25% of France’s earning from taxes and other things was spent on the preservation of the Palace, the activities of the King and the general salary of the servants and the important people that work for the King. Some say it’s exaggerated that it’s only in 6%, still the figure is really big when you think that the resources of the country are spent on the King and his royal court more than anything.
During the French revolution, Versailles was deserted by the King and the people also left the place for protection as well. But before it was completely abandoned by power, Marie Antoinette lived her last days in Versailles before she was executed. The largest blow on Versailles was on the Palace, when the Royal Family was transferred to Paris by force, the Palace was ransacked in most of its precious art materials. It’s was quite unfortunate but at the same time, it became a blessing to Louvre were most of the artworks were transferred. T Versailles was also instrumental to the end of the French Revolution. Because of the execution of Marie Antoinette, it was virtually the start of democracy. Other places in Versailles was spared however, the people almost abandoned the city. However, the sheer population, there are people who really don’t have another choice but to stay here. |
