Is the gold in Versailles real?

In 2008, the Palace of Versailles' golden gate was replaced. During the French Revolution, the ordinary people smashed these gates. Private contributors provided 5 million euros to make replicas of the 80-metre steel gate covered with 100,000 gold leaves (8 million dollars).

Is the roof of Versailles real gold?

200. lead ridge adornments enhance the roof of the Royal Chapel. These elements will be entirely gilded with fine gold.

How much did Versailles cost in today's dollars?

Since then, every country's king has added to the building and design of today's Versailles. Its total cost was equivalent to $50.7 billion in 2017 dollars. It is without a doubt the most expensive palace in the world. The estimated cost of construction is 1.5 billion euros ($1.7 billion).

Does Versailles smell today?

While paintings of Louis XIV's opulent court at Versailles show royals clad in gorgeously embroidered garments, viewers today are missing one of the main effects of their finery: the odor of hundreds of garments that have never been washed, all in one unventilated room.

How did they poop in Versailles?

Anthony Spaworth's Versailles: A Biography of a Palace informs us, “In the eighteenth century there were public latrines placed in the corridors and stairwells of the palace [of Versailles], the Grand Commons, and the other annexes: these latrines consisted of a room with a wooden seat, or lunette, closed by a cover in ...

GATE Made of REAL GOLD - The Palace of Versailles (France Vlog #9)

How smelly was Versailles?

Built on swampland, Versailles was described by a visitor in 1764 as an odiferous cesspool of dead cats, urine, excrement, slaughtered pigs, standing water, and mosquitoes. Inside the palace, things smelled different. Many royals in Louis XIV's day eschewed hot water baths, believing them bad for the health.

What drugs were used at Versailles?

Tobacco, herbs and possibly opium in lauanum - snuff and coffee, though coffee was very expensive. Coca leaves didn't travel well and were not used. The sniffing of that white stuff was fantasy.

Were there bathrooms in Versailles?

It's difficult to believe today when gazing at the gleaming golden palace, but life at Versailles was actually quite dirty. There were no bathrooms as we would know them. Courtiers and royalty used decorative commodes in each room, while commoners simply relieved themselves in the hallways or stairwells.

Why was Versailles so dirty?

Even the gardens weren't safe from the filth. One of the reasons for this was that Versailles was built on former marshland, and some areas still retained a foul odour. When summer came, this was even worse as the smell would mingle with the sweat, feces, and grime creating a truly pungent mix.

Which king did not bathe?

King Louis XIV (1638-1715) was terrified of bathing; he's said to have taken only three baths in his life. That fear was shared by the noblility in the 17^th Century – it ws thought that was thought that water spread disease (so the less you bathed, the less vulnerable you were).

Do the Siegels still own Versailles?

With Westgate Resorts' improved finances as of 2013, Siegel now owns the property outright and construction has resumed. Completion was scheduled for 2016. Then as of March 2017 the completion date had been pushed back to at least 2019.

Who owns Versailles?

One part of the initiative, the restoration of the Hall of Mirrors, was completed in 2006. Another major project was the further restoration of the backstage areas Royal Opera of Versailles, which was completed on 9 April 1957. The Palace of Versailles is currently owned by the French state.

Can someone buy Versailles?

You can buy all the tickets on site, at the Palace ticket office in the South Ministers' Wing (on the left of the Honour Courtyard). On Musical Fountains show and Musical Gardens days, if you only want to access the gardens, you can buy a ticket for the gardens online or on site.

Why was Versailles not destroyed?

Even though the sovereign and the court were no longer in residence, the Palace was not left to go to ruin. On the contrary, and as always during the royal family's absences, the opportunity was taken to carry out repairs.

What is the Palace of Versailles roof made of?

The roof timbers are one of the most exceptional aspects of the Royal Chapel. The complexity of their design and assembly from massive pieces of hewn oak is a work of art in itself.

Was Versailles built on a swamp?

Most of the trees were not only old, they were too tall for their root systems -- Versailles was built over a swamp, and the water table is so high, trees never sink deep roots. Versailles' gardeners see the replanting as a long-overdue chance to restore the park's original design.

Did the French watch the king poop?

At the grand couvert, the king dined with his family - and nobles literally sat on stools to watch them. Visitors to Versailles often viewed the ceremony, as well.

Did servants live in cupboards in Versailles?

But where did they stay? Most apartments consisted of a bedchamber, a cabinet and perhaps a wardrobe. The lucky ones could add a few antechambers or had rather large rooms. In this context, the servants' quarters were in the wardrobe.

Did nobles pay rent to live Versailles?

Many of the wealthiest nobles had an hotel somewhere close ( like in the city of Versailles ) where they retreated after the day at court. There the hotel was theirs (bought or rented ) and when they organized festivities or hold their " own little court " it was up to them to pay of course.

How many bedrooms are in the Palace of Versailles?

Top result from googling "How many bedrooms does the Palace of Versailles have?" Versailles, which is capable of holding up to 20,000 people, has 700 rooms, more than 2,000 windows, 1,250 chimneys, and 67 staircases.

Did Napoleon ever live in Versailles?

Napoleon's legacy at Versailles

In 1810, he had windows installed in the arches of the peristyle at the Grand Trianon, in order to make his passage through it on the way from his apartments to those of the empress more comfortable. Now an imperial residence, the Estate of Versailles was carefully maintained.

Can you sleep in Versailles?

You Can Now Spend the Night Inside the Palace Versailles For a Kingly $2,000 a Night. The historic site is now a hotel. Photo courtesy of Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle. If you're looking for a luxury cultural getaway to Europe, you just might want to book a stay at France's Palace of Versailles.

Why was Versailles Cancelled?

It was rumoured that the show was cancelled because of the decreasing number of viewers. The show also received attention and some criticism from fans for its raunchy sex scenes.

What did king Louis XVI eat for breakfast?

For breakfast, Louis XIV enjoyed a cup of broth or a bit of his favourite kind of bread dipped in wine, or things like cold sliced meat. Accounts vary on whether the King enjoyed a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.