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Versailles France

INTRODUCTION

Versailles, the former capital of France, survives today as a suburb of Paris. Best known for the Palace of Versailles, the city/ suburb still plays a role in national politics, being the seat of the Court of Appeals and the Ministry of National Education.

HISTORY

The first recorded evidence of Versailles dates to the middle of the 11th century. During the middle ages, the castle town of Versailles was known primarily for its popular Saint Julien Church. Life was primarily agricultural, but the town enjoyed popularity as a rest stop for travelers on route to Paris from Normandy.

The growing prosperity led to an increase in development, mostly of gothic style churches.

This prosperity was abruptly brought to an end when the Black Plague ravaged France during the 14th century. The town suffered further when France entered the Hundred Years War, fighting against England. The war would last until 1453 (actually 116 years), and left much of France in sad states. By the end of the war, Versailles had an estimated population of only around 100 residents.

Things began to slowly turn around in the mid-16th century, however, when Versailles established several annual fairs and a weekly market to attract local interest. The population began to grow.

By the end of the century, much of the land was owned by the Gondi family from Florence, Italy. The Gondi clan began staging elaborate hunts in the surrounding forests that by the early 17th century had even attracted the attention of King Louis XVIII, who attended regularly.

The King became so enamored of the forest and its hunting that he purchased a parcel of land for his private use. Around 1624, King Louis XIII commissioned the construction of a small “gentleman’s chateau”, which would soon become famous in its own right.

The now infamous Day of the Dupes, of November 1630, saw the end of long held political strife between Cardinal Richelieu (the king’s chief minister and possibly the world’s first Prime Minister) and the Italian born Queen Mother Marie de' Medici. de' Medici was exiled and the Cardinal officially became the Prime Minister of France. The king’s monumental decision took place at his private hunting lodge in Versailles.

King Louis XII continued to acquire lands around his private forest, and by the mid-17th century the land once owned by the Gondi family was now owned by the monarchy. The hunting lodge was enlarged, becoming a castle, and the population continued to swell. By the time of King Louis XIII’s death in 1643, Versailles supported a population of 1,000 residents.

Under his successor, King Louis XIV, seeking to escape memories of war in Paris, expanded the castle and its grounds to accommodate the Royal Court. By the late 1670s, the King had officially moved his residence and the court to Versailles.

IN 1678, construction began on the now famous Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles.

Further increasing the local population, King Louis officially allowed anyone who could afford the miniscule 5 chilling annual tax to purchase a parcel of land surrounding Versailles. Plans were made to develop the city according to specific standards (so as to not obscure the view from the palace), along the Avenue de Paris, leading to the main castle entrance.

Several old buildings (including the Saint Julien Church) were torn down to accommodate the new growth, and new buildings were constructed with a flare that caught the attention, and interest of all of France. By the early years of the 18th century Versailles had reached a population of 30,000 residents.

Following the death of King Louis XIV in 1715, the court left Versailles, not to return until 1722, under the reign of King Louis XV. A few years later, to celebrate the birth of his heir, King Louis XV commissioned lavish and expensive redecorating of several rooms in the palace. The event became synonymous with the expense of the French court.

By the mid 1700s, Versailles had grown into the most powerful, influential kingdom in all of Europe. Innovative architecture began to influence the country, and before long the strict building codes were ignored. The population reached nearly 40,000.

Several administrative buildings were required, and King Louis XV commissioned the construction of the Ministry of War, Ministry of the Navy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This latter became famous a few years later as the sight of the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. The Treaty brought to an end the long and violent American Revolutionary War.

Extensive construction and interest from all of France led to a population of more than 60,000 by the end of the century, making Versailles one of the largest cities in Europe. Not surprisingly, the royal residence was expanded and redecorated and immense expense to the nation. Modern estimates place the general maintenance of the Palace between 6 and 25% of the national income.

During the French Revolution (1789–1799), Versailles was renamed Berceau-de-la-Liberté, or the "Cradle of Liberty." The revolution had a devastating effect on the city, however, as Versailles, and the palace in particular, became the primary targets of the revolt. The palace was stormed in 1789, and the royal family fled to Paris. The war brought to an end the role of Versailles as the national capital, and the city lost much of its prestige and population.

By the early years of the 19th century, the population dropped to approximately 30,000 residents. The palace was looted bare and, with the exception of some loyal to the crown making pilgrimages to the site, abandoned. It is believed by some that Napoleon spent one night at the castle, but records are obscure.

In 1837, the palace was saved from near ruin by King Louis-Philippe, who turned the historic site into a national museum celebrating the history of France.

During the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, the palace came to the world’s attention once again. Wilhelm I was declared Emperor of Germany in the Hall of Mirrors, and within a few months the government relocated to the palace. Versailles once more became the seat of French political power. The population began to grow.

A short lived attempt to restore power to the royal family ended in a sound defeat of the loyalists, and in 1879 the government returned to Paris. The population slowly dropped, and by the end of the century had reached a little over 45,000 residents.

The palace once more came to global attention with the signing of several treaties ending the First World War. By the end of the war, Paris had grown so much that it engulfed the small city of Versailles. In 1919, Versailles became a suburb of Paris, and enjoyed renewed social and economic growth, supported by the ever growing capital.

Modern Versailles enjoys the continued enthusiasm of historians, artists and the curious. The former capital is considered a more upscale middle-class suburb, and retains much of its own unique character.

There are plenty more things to see and do in ancient Versailles.

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