The State Apartments

Louis XIV grew up in an environment of great political instability.

One of his primary goals in building Versailles was to lure the nobles away from Paris in order to better control them.

He succeeded : thousands of courtiers relocated to Versailles, either renting rooms in the palace or in town, eager to be seen by and interact with the king.

3 evenings a week, the king would host elaborate parties in the State Apartments.

Each room is named after gods - Apollo, Diana - semi-gods - Hercules - or planets - Venus, Mercury, Mars - which orbit round the sun (Louis XIV's favorite symbol).

References to Louis XIV's power permeate these rooms.

In the Room of Venus, a statue depicts Louis XIV as a Roman emperor, alongside paintings of Augustus and Alexander the Great.

In the Room of Abundance, the vase painted above the door is the "nef d'or" - Louis XIV's golden napkin holder, which was only used on special occasions and had to be greeted by courtiers as they passed it!

The Room of Mars features paintings of Mars, the god of war, as well as of Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Augustus.

The Room of Mercury promotes Louis XIV's patronage of the arts and sciences, and his diplomatic achievements.

The name of the room is intentional, as Mercury was the god of communication, commerce and diplomacy.

Fun fact : the clock on the mantlepiece represents Louis XIV and Fame descending from clouds each time hour strikes!

The Room of Hercules boasts one of the largest painted ceilings in the world - and a painting by Veronese, said to be one of Louis XIV's most prized possessions.

Finally, the room of Apollo was Louis XIV's throne room.

The ceiling represents Apollo, the god of sun, beauty and youth - Louis XIV's favourite symbol.

The throne was placed at the top of steps and surrounded by dazzling silver furniture.

At weekly parties, guests would walk up the grand staircase and be greeted with baskets of flowers, fruits and sweets.

In the Room of Abundance, they would be offered coffee, wines, and liqueurs.

The Room of Diana would have billiard tables and The Room of Mercury games.

The Room of Mars would host concerts and the Room of Hercules balls.