The Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles

 

Louis XIII was an avid hunter,

And so off he went in search of game one day,

In an area located between his residencies,

One in Paris, one in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

And whilst he was on this great hunt,

Pheasants, boars and stags all caught his eye,

He decided this was the perfect location for a hunting lodge,

The humble beginnings,

of the Palace of Versailles.

 

To this place his son took a great liking,

And under his instruction the lodge grew and grew,

From the construction of the forecourt to the Royal chapel,

Louis XIV ensured there was always something new.

In 1682 it became the main residence of the French court and government,

The sound of parties and leisure often filled the sky,

The new King expressed his power and authority,

In the grandness,

of the Palace of Versailles.

 

Extravagant gardens stretched for hundreds of acres,

A truly breath-taking sight,

Although rumour has it the overwhelming smell of fragrant blooms,

Caused some guests to feel ill, and so they fled in the night.

Water features and fountains were erected unsparingly,

Alongside hundreds of statues standing high,

Some of the largest and most spectacular gardens in the world,

Lie in the grounds,

of the Palace of Versailles.

 

Many animals also called the palace home,

Viewed from the central pavilion of La Ménagerie,

They lived in separated enclosures,

Designed by architect Louis le Vau in 1663.  

This idea was soon adapted throughout Europe,

In a form that may seem common to you and I,

The beginning of the creation of zoos,

All stemming from,

The Palace of Versailles.

 

And if you are to venture inside the Palace,

There lies a brilliantly famous Hall,

The unique and wonderful sight known as the Hall of Mirrors,

Leaves guests silent in their awe.

Skilful Venetian mirror makers were enticed over,

With legend telling they were threatened they would die,

If the Venetian government caught the craftsmen in the act,

Of leaving Italy,

For The Palace of Versailles.

 

There is much more to this story,

But I cannot write till dawn,

So just remember,

To take a photograph to show us all,

Or a postcard you could buy,

If you ever happen to happen upon,

The Palace of Versailles.

 

 


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