We’re all familiar with the Château de Versailles, its gardens and its magnificent Hall of Mirrors. This summer, the gallery revealed all its Baroque splendor, thanks to a formidable restoration project. The result is a more authentic configuration, faithful to its history.
The Hall of Mirrors at the Château de Versailles magnified
You may not have known it, but the Hall of Mirrors, famous for its three rows of majestic chandeliers, wasn’t always like this… During the reign of the Sun King, this scenography was only favored on ball nights, when the gallery was transformed to accommodate the evening’s dancers and performers. From the 1970s to the present day, this is how the Hall of Mirrors has presented itself to visitors from all over the world.
The gallery was then adorned with twenty chandeliers and twenty-four torchères bearing girandoles, recalling the luminous and festive setting for the wedding of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette. This was a departure from history, as this arrangement only occurred a dozen times under the Ancien Régime. What’s more, the number and arrangement of chandeliers varied with each event…. In other words, it wasn’t necessarily the most historically accurate way to discover the premises.
This summer, a single central row of chandeliers has been installed to bring it closer. The design is reminiscent of the palace that became the seat of the Court and Government of the Kingdom of France in 1683. Lighter, it also takes advantage of the depth effect produced by the room’s many mirrors, as well as the view over the gardens. What’s more, you’ll be able to admire Charles Le Brun’s masterpiece, which adorns the majestic vaulted ceiling. Previously hidden by the many chandeliers, this imposing work celebrates the deeds of the Sun King, combining political allegories and mythological references. A brand-new lighting system will allow us to admire its details and vivid colors.
A brand-new scenography that you can already discover on your next visit to the Sun King’s palace.