Versailles, Louis XIV's House. Nice diggs. So apparently the French had a revolution. Something about the aristocracy, bourgeois types having more than the common man, and exploiting the common man for their own ends....seems kind of inevitable when you look at this palace. I think the same thing still happens, only in Canada we buy F-35 fighter jets. Maybe they come in gold?
The front Courtyard to the palace.
Detail of the roof
This is the famous hall of mirrors. The mirrors reflect the arched windows that look out into the gardens, 17 arches, 357 mirrors in total. This is an incredible display of wealth as in the 1600s real silver provided the reflective surface of the mirror and making flat glass was only possible by a few artisans.
Detail on one of the lamp-holders
The Queen's bedroom.
A bust of Marie Antoinette
The hall of wars, depicting famous battles and their generals.
Wardrobe is the apartments of the Dauphin.
Understated no?
In the Gardens, a 6 level fountain, with some layers held up by lobsters, others by mythical creatures.
Symmetry? What Symmetry!
Details of the Cherub / Fish boys holding a fountain.
The Dragon Fountain - full of angry Sushi.
The young Apollo mounted on a swan, shooting an arrow, and killing the Dragon.
Dragon that sits in the centre of the fountain.
The Neptune fountain (1680), featuring King Neptune and several dwellers of the under sea realm.
Side Fountain at the Neptune fountain.
Some of the may many sculptures at Versailles.
The Apollo baths, when the fountains are running, there is a waterfall in the grotto on the right.
The Floral Fountain.
The Enceladus Fountain. Enceladus was one of the Titans, son of Uranus and Gaia. He is shown after his defeat by Athenda, trapped in the rocks of Mt. Etna. He is cursing the gods and preparing to hurl a rock (in his right hand) at them.
When the giant hisses and thrusts out his fiery tongue, Mount Etna erupts. When he struggles, earthquakes shake the world.
The Apollo Fountain side view (1670)
Face on.
The view from the Apollo fountain back up to the place, nice understated back yard yes?
View over the Apollo fountain showing the grand canal in the back ground, and eventually the trianon in the far distance.
The Latona Fountain (1688).
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