We have entered the King’s chambers!
France
Ceiling
I always make sure to look up when I enter a room, and I was definitely not disappointed. Look at the art on the ceiling!!
Statue and Bust
There were these little alcoves all around the room with statues. I wish I could remember whether the guide mentioned if the statues were there in the palace’s heyday or not…the alcoves would be a great place to have a tiny modicum of privacy. (Not that that seemed to matter, as the king regularly had visitors in his chambers whilst he was getting dressed, used the chamber pot, or bathed. I remember THAT because I remember thinking “ugh, glad I’m not the king in those times”.
Gilded Doors
I really wanted to see what was behind these doors. It was an auditorium of sorts. But whatever was going on inside was taking too long, so we moved on.
Fireplace
There wasn’t exactly central heating in the drafty palace, so the fireplace was MASSIVE in order to provide heat to the entire room.
Imposing
We weren’t even in the main part of the King’s wing, and I was already starting to feel the scope of the imposing size. (But then felt very disappointed by the smallness of the rooms in the King’s wing.)
Balcony
I loved the architecture in the lower level of the King’s wing of Versailles. Partially because there weren’t many people, partially because it wasn’t gilded, and partially because it was beautiful.