![Coupe du principal corps de bâtiment du château de Versailles [etc.]](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/exhibits%2FVersailles%2FVersailles_photographs_8bit%2F73.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
The Palace
The design and construction of the palace of Versailles evolved over several decades through a series of building campaigns. The “chateau of cards” inherited from Louis XIII was enveloped by a much larger structure, creating the Grand Apartments of the king and queen. They were initially linked by an open terrace, which was soon covered to form the iconic Hall of Mirrors. To make the palace suitable as the official residence of the court, massive wings were added to the south and north. Finally, a new chapel was completed at the end of Louis XIV’s reign. In each phase, the architectural transformations went hand in hand with the execution of elaborate decorative programs through painting, sculpture, and other visual arts. Some of the spaces and decors have remained more or less intact, while others now exist only in descriptions, drawings, and engravings.
Section Items
![Coupe du principal corps de bâtiment du château de Versailles [etc.]](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/exhibits%2FVersailles%2FVersailles_photographs_8bit%2F73.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
![Plafond du grand escalier du château de Versailles](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/exhibits%2FVersailles%2Fdig_studio%2F076.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
Plafond du grand escalier du château de Versailles
![La Grande Galerie de Versailles et les deux salons qui l'accompagnent…](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/exhibits%2FVersailles%2Fversailles_45%2Flast-versailles.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
La Grande Galerie de Versailles et les deux salons qui l'accompagnent…
![Ornements du quatrième angle du salon de la Guerre](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/pudl0083/2012/00050/00000001.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
Ornements du quatrième angle du salon de la Guerre
![Le Roi gouverne par lui-même](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/pudl0083/2012/00010/00000001.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
Le Roi gouverne par lui-même
![L’Ordre rétabli dans les Finances](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/pudl0083/2012/00032/00000001.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
L’Ordre rétabli dans les Finances
![Réformation de la Justice](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/pudl0083/2012/00035/00000001.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
Réformation de la Justice
![Protection accordée aux Beaux-Arts](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/pudl0083/2012/00033/00000001.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
Protection accordée aux Beaux-Arts
![Le Passage du Rhin en présence des ennemis](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/pudl0083/2012/00012/00000001.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
Le Passage du Rhin en présence des ennemis
![Ornements d’un des angles du salon de la Paix](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/pudl0083/2012/00055/00000001.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
Ornements d’un des angles du salon de la Paix
![Le Plafond du Salon de la Paix](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/exhibits%2FVersailles%2FVersailles_photographs_8bit%2F72.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)
Le Plafond du Salon de la Paix
![Coupe sur la largeur du fond du Sanctuaire de la nouvelle Chapelle du Roi à Versailles](https://libimages.princeton.edu/loris/exhibits%2FVersailles%2FVersailles_photographs_8bit%2F74.jp2/full/200,/0/default.jpg)