American Reacts Versailles, France: Ultimate Royal Palace - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide

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[@marieadriansen2925]

The paintings were painted directly on the ceiling. French art was at its peak and the Palace of Versailles and French art were copied throughout Europe. I really like your videos and your open-mindedness

[@marieadriansen2925]

Most of the paintings on the ceilings of Versailles are painted directly, but not all

[@eugeneviollet-le-duc5971]

C’est toujours la cas aujourd’hui, si vous souhaitez un plafond peint pus faite appel à un artiste peintre…

[@theoven344]

Quite a few years ago, one of my american friend travelled to France, and i went to Versailles with him. He told me "we have the same in the US". "What ?" "Yes, the White House." Killed me...

[@Brookspirit]

Americans are funny.

[@digidol52]

The previous Duchess of Devonshire, who lived at Chatsworth, called it The White Wendy House.

[@francocanuck]

@@Brookspirit Yes ,and everyone in Europe knows about their ignorance about history or geography

[@mecha-sheep7674]

Well, Washington urbanism is inspired by Versailles.

[@joeldumas5861]

Not that stupid though, since the White House was built in the neoclassical style which was trendy throughout Western Europe from Italy to Ireland during the 18th century. In France, dozens of castles were built by vassal seigneurs with the emblematic semicircular portico. The château de Rastignac (Dordogne) is often mentioned to be one of the White House inspirations. Versailles is 1 century older, built in classical style, and much bigger (60000 m2, 2300 rooms, 8000 ha of land before the revolution, 800 nowadays).

[@user-ii5pl2ek3v]

I am a Brit, but I have a total obsession with Marie Antoinette. I have been around the palace of Versailles many times, I love it! Of course living in England it is an easy journey for me to visit Versailles. Other than actually visiting the palace, I spent a great deal of time reading and learning everything I possibly could about the French Royalty during the French Revolution. It is a fantastic place, and incredible history. If you ever get the chance to visit this wonderful palace and grounds, do not miss that opportunity.

[@walideg5304]

Marie Antoinette was ready to crush her own people to keep the power. Her secret communication with her origin country Austria, was founded after her execution. It was a real shock. She wanted an invasion of France and a total repression.

[@jack.charlesc4750]

Painting on ceilling and walls it s not hors or day its month or year you should have a look at the Vatican !!!

[@Minijust23]

Ahaha amazing 😅

[@francoismorin8567]

Interested in Buckingham Palace just to compare

[@jean-baptiste6479]

How did you like Paris Olympics opening? I am french, sincerely I was in shock that a woman and her kids was executed. I liked the ceremony anyways, but Marie Antoinette is the biggest taboo in french history. Ohh that was hardcore.

[@bessonnet]

Nudity in art is not censored in youtube France

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

It shouldn't be censored anywhere.

[@SadSad-de2cy]

La nudité ? 😅😅. Aux états unis, vous êtes tous armés, vous tuez , et vous regardez ce genre de vidéo ! Et vous êtes choqués par un sein! Cherchez l'erreur !

[@-Griffin-]

​@@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim You remind me of that stupid American teacher who caused a scandal by looking at the marvelous Michelangelo's statue of David in Florence and shouting that it was pornography.

[@tarantellalarouge7632]

encore heureux !

[@totorvdr5994]

@@tarantellalarouge7632 Ouais, y 'en a marre du puritanisme (dont Trump ose se prévaloir, ce prévaricateur de première) !

[@estranhokonsta]

When i was a kid i visited versaille. The memories are now remote but the impression that stayed with me was that is seemed to never end. That impression was very strong in the gardens.

[@synkaan2167]

Yeah it's enormous, the video don't show all of Versailles, far from it and there is art and wealth highlighted everywhere you can look at.

[@billyo54]

If this place was in the USA it would be re-purposed as a strip mall and the grounds turned into a car park.

[@erosgritti5171]

So would they restore it to its original function?

[@user-ds9vr3mg4z]

Turning an Historical building into a strip mall will be terrible and a total lack of respect ..YES French people be-headed their royals during French Revolution (Noble family were rich, arrogant, direspectful and abusing with THEIR Poor people but the architecture IS OUR past, a way to remember how our country was managed, how workers created beautiful buildings... May be US have forgotten the MAY FLOWER's migrants, poors and Starving or persecuted families in their European countries looking for a better future .. and they feel not enough emotionnally attached to their ''YOUNG'' PAST'', or have not learnt enough about it .What about the ''LIBERTY BELLS in Philadelphia ? ..what would you re-purposed them as ?? 😊 Ringing happily on SUPER BOWL matches.. 😂.

[@Lostouille]

Jokes on you all around europe we have old buildings (not to that level) that are malls/boutiques/mc donalds.😂

[@rodneybouillie10]

I used to live in Versailles, and every nice weekend I would go for a walk and a picnic in the King's gardens... majestic !

[@Diegomax22]

Hey there, I am French and I am obsessed with Versailles ! It is the most beautiful and marvellous palace of the world, very proud to be part of the citizens of those who build it ! Many tried to surpass but none succeeded (I see you SCHÖNBRUNN Palace)

[@cyrilleger6372]

Ce serait bien aussi de leur dire que la Démocratie Française est née à Versailles, ce n'est pas juste un ancien domaine royal bâtit sur un ancien pavillon de chasse.

[@messire9837]

"to be part of the citizens of those who build it !" >> Citizen you say? CITIZEN? 🤣🤣🤣 Good Lord.

[@AndreMalraux20341]

J'ai été à Vienne et à Saint Pétersbourg, qui ont des palais similaires à Versailles, Schönbrunn et Peterhof mais qui restent différents et moins impressionnants à mon avis. Peut-être qu'ils essayaient trop de ressembler à Versailles, justement. Ils sont aussi largement plus petits.

[@maxencedemay8477]

​@@cyrilleger6372 Définis "démocratie française' pour voir.

[@superfastjellyfish78]

I live in Versailles. Haven't look at the chateau since 2001 I guess... But I use to drink a lots of beers in the park, when security allowed us to go by night! We'd found bones in the wood some times. The roots of the trees would bring them to the surface. Turns out to be human bones, numerous people died in the swamps trying to dry it to build the "grand canal" for the palace. Great achievement for sure, what is under the chateau is even more impressive, you take the mesure of what has been done, especially with the pipes and the fountain. Unique in the world at this time

[@murmursmeglos]

The symbol of absolute monarchy is a great description for it. As late as the 18th century most monarchs were still pushing for absolute power, which was probably successful short-term but had little chance of making it to the modern era. Britain was unique in that it had been putting limits on the power of the monarch for centuries beforehand, which might be why it still has one today, no way an absolute monarch makes it past the revolutions.

[@tarantellalarouge7632]

the British people have beheaded their king 140 years before French Revolution (Charles the 1st, 1649) and they had a constitutional regime earlier, that's maybe the reason why there is still a Monarchy in England ????

[@alucion2]

The Royal Palace of Madrid. With an area of ​​135,000 m² and 3,418 rooms (almost double that of Buckingham Palace or the Palace of Versailles), it is the largest royal palace in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. . It houses a valuable historical-artistic heritage, highlighting the set of musical instruments known as the Stradivarius Palatinos, and very relevant collections of other disciplines such as painting, sculpture and tapestry.

[@fabs8498]

A tv serie., Versailles, was filmed in Versailles, interiors and exteriors, completed by scenes in 6 or 7 castles around Paris. The problem was to avoid everything that the queen Marie Sntoinette add or modify. Louis gave his name to Louisiane and his brother Philippe d'orleans to New Orleans.

[@cmoiden37]

hello from france The paintings on the ceilings of the Palace of Versailles were not all painted directly on the ceiling. Some, like those in the Hercules Room, were created on canvases that were then glued to the surface. Other ceilings, such as those in the King’s Grand Apartment, were painted directly on the ceiling by talented artists of the time.” no LOUIS XIV c was even strengthened the absolute monarchy . he died in 1715 I believe and the revolution dates from 1789

[@akasoon8694]

Sans oublier que c'est Louis XIII et Richelieu qui mettent en place la monarchie absolue et que Louis XIV ne la récupère qu'après le décès de Mazarin et comme je l'ai dit aussi dans un post, il a étrangement moins de contrôle sur le pays que notre président actuellement (hors cohabitation).

[@maximeblanc5085]

Oui c'est Louis 16 qui a été décapité pas Louis 14.

[@tarantellalarouge7632]

and the Royaume de France was not "at peace" during Louis XIV ! On his dying bed, he said to the future Louis XV that he has involved his people, too much into wars (j'ai trop aimé la guerre !)

[@Tortuex_]

paintings like the one you asked about are usually done directly on the ceiling

[@AndreMalraux20341]

As a french, I'd recommend you to check the Catherine Palace in St-Petersburg, that's the most magnificient one I've seen beside Versailles.

[@fug_momo3729]

When French was the most language spoken in the world.

[@davidcronan4072]

The palace will be the venue for some equestrian events in the upcoming Olympics.

[@theodusnecrophilusse1512]

Plus qu'à espérer que les chevaux ne se perdent pas dans le palais des glaces

[@remyaudrain3200]

I've been to the chateau de Versailles too many time to count so I may answer a few questions: The paintings were all done on the ceiling with scaffolding and stuff, and yes it took a while, I believe the stone carving would have been made on the ground as much as possible. The bed in the king's room is real (but it's smaller than a king size) he just might not spend the entire night in it, but he would be "awaken" in it every morning in front of his immediate family and the highest member of government (very exclusive). Fun fact there were no plumbing whatsoever, nobility would take a dump behind a random curtain and servants would come after them to clean up... (public bathrooms has since been installed) The gardens are really something, there are a lot of fountains and to supply them with water they had to build a massive "water elevator" to bring it from a river that is below Versailles in elevation, but it didn't bring nearly enough to have all the fountain turned on at once so they would turn them on and then off again one by one when the king would pass by so he only ever saw them functioning.

[@emjizone]

3:53 France was no more powerful than it is today in absolute terms, but it was certainly at its most powerful in terms of power *relative* to other nations. It was certainly a time when many other monarchs wanted to be compared to the French monarch, considered it an honour to be well known by him, and indeed strove to emulate him. Much later, Napoleon aroused less admiration and more terror, but also did more for the people. His way of using power was so different that comparisons are difficult. Napoleon managed to turn France into a super-weapon, so you can see it as a superior military power, but the power of a monarch or a nation isn't purely military.

[@eugeneviollet-le-duc5971]

Napoléon faire plus pour le peuple ??? Dictateur sanguinaire il a ruiné la France et ses guerres inutiles ont tué 1200000 Français !

[@jean-baptiste6479]

I am very lucky, I lived in Versailles 12 years. Spent my whole childhood, and my early teenage years. You feel overwhelmed every day when you live in such a city. School visits in the castle, family weekends in the castle gardens, scout : in the castle gardens, birthday : castle gardens. ❤❤

[@veroniquewolff751]

I am from Versailles. Born and raised. Where I lived, went to school, worked a part of my life. Where my kids where born, went to school. They no longer live there now. For us, people of Versailles, it is a city where there is world known palace. We don't necessary think of the palace. For the other people it is only a palace. When you say you live in Versailles everyone says ohhhh the palace. A coworker even call me madam the countess.... One good thing is when at sport class the teacher make you run around the fountains, much more awsome than a sport stadium. We have a sport stadium and an Olympic pool in Versailles where we also at sport class. As I said it is a city above all for the Versailles natives

[@levanle653]

"Versailles est pour les Versaillais avant tout", c'est avant tout assez logique et très répandu ..... navrant ! Un Versaillais m'a dit :"les Versaillais sont très prétentieux; il pensent tous être ou des châtelains ou des descendants de Louis XIV". A vous lire, on peut penser que cette boutade comporte une part de vérité ..

[@veroniquewolff751]

@@levanle653 je ne comprends pas votre propos. Je n'ai demandé à ma collègue de m'appeler madame la châtelaine ou la comtesse. C'est les gens qui des qu'on leur dit qu'on habite Versailles se mettent à faire la révérence, qu'on leur a jamais demandé de faire. Je voulais dire que pour nous Versailles est avant tout une ville et que pour les autres c'est un château. C'est une différence de point fe vue

[@levanle653]

@@veroniquewolff751 Bonjour Madame, Je suis vraiment désolé si mon propos vous a blessé, tel n'était pas mon intention. Il est vrai que je suis agacé par cette fierté un peu stupide que certains se pensent fondés à afficher parce qu'il habitent un lieu prestigieux. Comme si ce prestige avait la propriété de se répandre légitimement et automatiquement à toute la population. Paris est la ville la plus visitée au monde et pourtant, je doute que les SDF qui "habitent" dans ses rues éprouvent la moindre fierté. Il en est de même pour les riverains de certains quartiers délaissés par la propreté de Paris. Mais votre réponse est beaucoup plus claire et désormais, je comprends tout à fait votre propos. J'espère que vous accepterez mes excuses d'avoir réagi un peu trop vite. Je vous souhaite une belle journée.

[@veroniquewolff751]

@@levanle653 je suis née à Versailles et y a grandi. Je peux dire que je ne connais personne qui se croit descendant d'un roi ou d'une reine, j'ai jamais vu ça. Oui Versailles est une belle ville Quoique qu'il y a des quartiers un peu chauds où la vente au bas deq immeubles marchent bien où les voitures crament bien. Oui nous avons aussi ça à Versailles comme partout ailleurs

[@spartanrolv4553]

It took decades to build Versailles. Louis XIV never saw the complete finition of his palace, although he reigned for 72 years, the longest reign ever in History. Even Elizabeth II didn't make it up to, she reigned for "only" 70 years

[@teknotony]

This cost billions ( in today's money ) whilst the masses lived poverty , it's what triggered the French revolution . On a wall in Paris there is writing on a wall ( which is still there ) which says " 0mnia Communia " , which loosely translates as : Everything belongs to all

[@RemplacementTV]

yep communism is strong inside french people's mind

[@karstenstormiversen4837]

Well that was actually the actions of Louie the 16th and not Louie the 14th! And the trigger was the proxy war against the British by financing the colonials that nearly bancktrupted France nearly 70 years after Louie the 14th(the sun King)died!

[@edbi5505]

Louis XIV n'a rien à voir avec la révolution, c'est Louis XVI qui était l'arrière-arrière-arrière-petit-fils de Louis XIV .....

[@lellna4585]

This is a false idea of french republics propaganda, but some politics of Louis XIV lead to the end of "well raise" aristocratie and the regime with them.

[@Cougnamama-el1dp]

Absolument 🎝♪ Ah ça ira ! ça ira ! ça ira ! les aristocrates à la lanterne ! ♫ ♪

[@lynnedyer8714]

Awesome place. The gardens, which is an understatement are amazing and worth going to see on their own.

[@Disc0rd83]

In fact, Louis XIV developped french crafstmanship, especially high value ones, and he wanted this palace to be a kind of great advertisement of those knowledgies for other countries nobles.

[@AndreLefrancoise-yo8nl]

You also have to look the gardens the are fabulous

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

My pick for the five finest palaces I have visited (other than Versailles and Windsor): Mysore Palace, Alhambra, Blenheim, Beijing's Summer Palace, and Schönbrunn.

[@messire9837]

Please don't put Versailles and Windsor in the same sentence, thank you very much. Frenchy.

[@JJ-of1ir]

If you react to 'The True History of Freedom Never Taught in Schools' by Thomas Sowell, you may find the answer to your question about when centralised and absolute monarchies began to change and why. Versailles is very beautiful and it felt like we walked miles and miles when we went there, although at that time most rooms were unfurnished. Perhaps that was the right idea as it helped us focus on the marvellous paintings and ornamentation of the building - which was sumptuous. Definitely worth SEVERAL visits.

[@clemi2601]

Versailles was a passion project but also a spite one since he started the construction after one of his ministers outshined him with his own palace. He got the guy imprisoned and use his architect for Versailles. Though Louis was no slouch himself and knew a lot about architecture and would get personally involved in the works. He would come up to workers and let them know when windows weren’t properly straight and all.

[@LuisNunes-ps4sl]

The period of Absolute Monarchy is actually fairly short. Basically from the early 1600s to 1800. Medieval Kings could mobilize a fair amount of resources if they were personally powerful and respected, but mostly they had to live on their own extensive properties and very little in a way of taxes.

[@ulysseogez5475]

Hello everyone ! Great video :) You ask a very interesting question at the beginning. When did the period when kings could do whatever they wanted come to an end? I'll try to give you an answer based on what I remember from my history class about France (and as a Frenchman). To begin with, you have to ask yourself when kings were given this power. Because you have to remember that the powers of the different crowns varied enormously, depending on the place and the time. In the case of France, we can consider that the reign of the kings of France began with Hugues Capet just before the year 1000. We can, of course, go back further, to Clovis and the Merovian dynasty, via Charlemagne and the Carolingian dynasty, but at that time the notion of France was still too embryonic. The election of Hugues Capet marked the beginning of the 900-year reign of the Capetian dynasty and its younger branches, the Valois and Bourbons, who ruled France from the Middle Ages to the Revolution. At the beginning of their reign, the Capetians had a very small royal domain (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Capet#/media/File:Le_royaume_des_Francs_sous_Hugues_Capet-en.svg). Their economic and military power was weak compared to the grand dukes, who controlled vast territories generating great economic, political and military power. But they had great influence and moral authority. The very fact that such a modest noble family was able to hold the crown of France for so long is sometimes referred to as the “Capetian miracle”. With time and crisis, through marriage and conquest, the royal domain expanded, as did their political, military and economic power. But the great lords still wielded considerable power, sometimes exceeding that of the king. In the event of revolt or unrest, they did not hesitate to use this power to the detriment of the crown. And that's how the reign of Louis XIV began, when he was a child and the regency was at the mercy of the great duchies who were his vassals. Louis never forgot this, and as an adult he set about concentrating the king's power and reducing that of the people and nobles. While in many European countries a model of parliamentary monarchy was developing, in France it was the advent of “absolute monarchy”. The king concentrated all power, and his rule was total. Louis XIV would say “l'état c'est moi” (“I am the state”). That's why the Palace of Versailles is so monumental. In addition to asserting the king's power, it was intended to bring together all the important nobles in one place, to obtain the favors of the king and the court, while keeping them under control. The grandiose festivities and solemn moments that took place there constantly enabled the king to dictate the tempo and keep the nobility busy and under control. As said in the video. That era ended with the revolution. Even Napoleon, who crowned himself Emperor of the French, did not undertake work of this type whose primary purpose was to anchor his power. He was an incomparable war leader, a reformer, at the origin of great works but nothing comparable to Versailles. That's it ! thanks for reading :)

[@hasturx1]

Speaking about Versailles without some clear insight about the gardens, the fountains, the canal,the little Trianon, the queen's hamlet, the forest, the statues, the maze, etc. it's just like speaking of apples in an apple pie. It took 38 years to transform his father hunting pavillon into the castle. and Louis XV add more to it.

[@frale_2392]

It's estimated that the cost of Versailles in today's money would be from 200 to 300 BILLION dollars. To put it into context, the most expensive building today is in Saudi Arabia, and even oil money couldn't match Versailles as that building costs about 120 billions. No wonder the revolution took place.

[@karstenstormiversen4837]

Actually the french revolution was the result of the french King(louie the 16th) lend money to the colonials in america(a proxy war against the British) that nearly bancktrupted france!

[@xenotypos]

It's a popular myth but honestly revolutions have little to do with the actual suffering of the people. The right state of mind is also needed, and the material means. After Louis XIV Europe and in particular France will go through the century of Enlightenment, in which philosophers and intellectuals put the traditional societal models into question. They spread new ideas which for example will result to modern democracy in the young USA, or to the French Revolution in Europe. It's true that people had it (very) rough in the past compared to us, but in 1789 people weren't living as desperatly they did during some parts of Louis XIV's reign one century earlier, in which 2 famines happened (even if it's not just his fault, climate played a role).

[@erosgritti5171]

In Caserta, there is a villa that is larger and more sumptuous and has not caused revolutions. Your arguments are fallacious

[@sergiombala3290]

​@@user-ds9vr3mg4zno it's because a small glacial weather in the 1780's who lead this famines and general state and the revolution that at first doesn't want to end monarchy just reform it. People like the king in majority only the bourgeois had something to gain from instauring a parlemntary monarchy and later a republic

[@xtophgerard1169]

Actually the revolution is said to be the consequence of volcano activity in Iceland. Toxic gases traveled and affected the crops in France which created a famine which ignited the revolution long after the Castle was build. This fact is not very well known but it is documented and illustrated in the museum in Helsinki.

[@adeleg4759]

'le roi danse' and 'versailles, rêve d'un roi'are good reconstitutions of the évolution of the project and louis xiv masterplan of using the arts to control the nobility. The absolutism of his monarchy is against la fronde (a nobility abtent takeover) more than against the little people. 3 masters to look into : le nôtre (garden), le brun (paintings) and Mansart (2nd architect)

[@DenUitvreter]

Dancing as in ballet, was considered part of the martial arts there.

[@BB-un2ts]

It was even more beautifull before, with it’s huge number of furnitures. With the Revolution, we now have only a handfull castles with their furnitures. They were really very pricy and without it you can’t really see how lavish it was.

[@golgotisme]

Come to Versailles, everything is beautifull

[@jean-paulpotet1988]

Under Louis XIV, the State was represented in each province by a _bailli_. At the beginning of the year, every parish priest had to send the lists of the baptisms, marriages, and funerals of the year before. That was the beginning of the modern civil register. It made it also possible for the King's administration to know how many were the French. In his time. France was the most populous country of Western Europe. Louis XIV was wary of the nobility so he kept them in Versailles by paying them pensions, and having them closely watched. He reigned with the help of competent commoners and never trusted incompetent noble men for serious matters; this is probably the reason why he is regarded as one of the greatest rulers of France. However, his reign is blemished by a big mistake; he beileved a gang of Catholic fanatics who managed to convince him there were no more Protestants in France, and that he repeal in 1685 the Édit de Nantes (1598) that tolerated and protected them. Thousands of skilled protestants emigrated - a great loss for France.

[@heliedecastanet1882]

As an answer to your question at 3:50 : actually, Louis XIV can't be considered as a "peaceful" king; He was at war all along his life : he reigned 72 years, and was at war 46 years. Against Spain, against the Netherlands, against England, against Austria, Savoy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Prussia, Portugal… Napoleon is more impressive because he achieved major and large conquests in a very short time (15 years) but but lost almost everything at the end - the exact opposite of Louis XIV.

[@EmiledeWeerd]

this is a French citizen reaction: as to my amazement I visited Versailles only when I was 33 years old. So I had heard extensively of the Sun King, and of the History of the place... Put truly nothing had me prepared for this shock. It is at the same time "amazing" (i.e. how on Earth could this happen) but also if get into the economics, man if I lived at that time I would be outraged by the level of opulence. Cause honestly, that is the key word: opulence. It is just sad... That does not remove any proud in France and envy to be part of the country, don't get me wrong, obviously lot's has happened since then. But there is a part of blockage I cannot dennie.

[@Neytram]

This level of opulence is a pretty good hint to understand why our country was the one that kickstarted the end of the monarchy system throughout Europe lol The château de Versailles and it's narrative shows how much those mens that ruled the country were having the most enormous ego and elitism that any ruling class had in the entirety of modern existence

[@xenotypos]

Don't forget that the opulence was mainly for politics (both internal and external). Those were calculated spendings, it was so over-the-top in terms of protocol and luxury that the kings living there themselves built several smaller palaces deep in the gardens to live in a more relaxed way.

[@xtophgerard1169]

Hi. Nice to see a video bot trashing the French or making them. Your attitude is refreshing. Questions are interesting. I don’t know about the rest of the world, but after the revolution, a couple of kings were in power before Napoleon the III. They don’t discuss this too much in the history books but I’m under the impression their power was diminished. As for the paintings, they paint on scaffolding on their backs or f I’m not mistaken. Waterworks in Versailles also went under different versions. The aqueduc to bring the water to the fountains was interrupted because of the war against holland which was taking all the funds. Versailles is not close to water and elevated so water has to be pumped up to the castle. The Dutch republic was under attack (the De Wit brothers) and the president was slaughtered with his brother by the orange royal family. Yes, holland had a republicans before the French. The downfall of the republicans was caused by the wars the French and English were having on the Dutch… fear makes people lose their mind… like in some other periods of history (now as well to some extend, choosing authoritarian leaders over démocrates like then)… lost and lots of history and in my experience none of the videos and documentaries talk about the complete picture so you need to see, read and visit many places to get a good picture of the historic jigsaw puzzle… many things are intertwined. If you want to get a feel for the period, watch Angelique (lions gate dvd). It’s fiction. But packed with details that are real. Some of the plots are also real. It’s a 5 episode series with excellent music and great evolving plots for all generations from kids to grandparents.

[@janneroz-photographyonabudget]

If you ever get the chance, go there. Truly fantastic. The French, they really do look after their history, beautiful country.

[@freudsigmund72]

i recently read somewhere on the web (so no idea if it is correct) that the cost of building Versailles, corrected for inflation would be between € 170-250 billion. ... sounds reasonable for 63.000 m2 of a lavishly decorated palace.

[@occitaniejemesouviens7508]

Il faudrait calculer combien il a rapporté, des millions de touristes viennent en France rien que pour le visiter .

[@freudsigmund72]

@@occitaniejemesouviens7508 That would be a hard calculation,.... France has got a lot to offer. I don't think many tourists would not come to France if Versailles wasn't there. They would just visit other sites in France.

[@occitaniejemesouviens7508]

@@freudsigmund72 d’accord, mais ils payent leur billet ,leur transport, certains se restaurent à Versailles ,d’autres prennent un verre.

[@laurentguyot3362]

@@occitaniejemesouviens7508 je penses que ça doit à peine couvrir les frais d'entretient qui doivent être énorme.

[@Josian-ps7fb]

@@laurentguyot3362 Il faut rajouter qu'en plus, pendant des siècles, le tourisme n'a pas existé, et donc n'a simplement rien rapporté qui compensait les frais...

[@yublles9919]

In term of military like you said, France under the reign of Napoléon was better. But under the reign of Louis 14 France was better in term of economy, culture and politic especialy diplomatics.

[@josteingravvik2381]

Connor, I think the palace which come closest to this in grandeur is the Winterpalace in St Petersburg, Russia. Worth to have a look at too imho... Greetings from Norway.

[@co-creatv6540]

There are more than 2600 rooms in this castle, and the parc is about 2000 acres with 600 fountains…The king bedroom is entirely covered in gold leaf, and many other places are gold covered… it is clear that was one of the reasons of the French Revolution…

[@eugeneviollet-le-duc5971]

C’est complètement faux ! La révolution a été une révolution de la bourgeoisie franc-maçonne qui voulait prendre la place de l’Aristocratie et financiariser le Royaume !

[@micade2518]

Here's Rick Steves' take on the gardens: "Versailles, France: Palace Gardens and Little Hamlet - Rick Steves’ Europe Travel Guide" - Rick Steves' Europe There also remains a forest in Versailles that, before the castle and the adjacent city were fully built was actually spreading to litterally the castle's doorstep.

[@user-qw4kc9ue8k]

Louis XIV (1638,1715) The Palace of Versailles is 63154 square meters, there are 2300 rooms. 815 hectares park and garden. A few kilometers from Paris ❤️❤️❤️

[@user-sg7xd8qk4s]

Versailles is not in Paris, it's a town, about 10 miles from Paris, in the west side of "Région Parisienne " called "Yvelines" département number 78.

[@user-sg7xd8qk4s]

That's a great description ! 👍👍

[@user-qw4kc9ue8k]

@@user-sg7xd8qk4s In French Château de Versailles,

[@gilles4444-xu3tc]

If you want to know more our French history of 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, i advice the famous series of books from robert Merle called "histoires de france". 12books, just so nice, you see the little history of a small nonle family, inside the kingdom real history turmoils.

[@bernardyannick4570]

You just have to know that the cost of the sainte chapelle and her relics was the half of the french King dom!! Just for exemple !

[@Minijust23]

Ooo its my country Thanks for this bro

[@fhoulbr]

To answer your question about total power, which is named mostly "absolute monarchy", this ended before the French Revolution. It started when some power had been transferred to any kind of parliament, be it fully made of noble or just elected in any way. In France it started after the Revolution, even we did get constitutional monarchy only for a noticeably short while between 1791 and 1792. We did have two others after that, we did have a few different Republic as well (5, including the current constitution) and we had two Empire as well. As I said, it started before the French Revolution. Louis XVI started to implement the move toward a Constitutional Monarchy shortly before it. Many other monarchies in Europe had already evolved to constitutional monarchy. All the European monarchies did switch mostly between the end of the XVIth up to early in the XIXth. I think the first one is Scotland (1689) then England (1701), when Monarchs powers started to be limited by any kind of Constituion. There're still absolute monarchies nowadays: Brunei, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Eswatini (ex Swaziland) and Vatican. The ceiling frescos are mostly paintings hanged on there... But in Chapelle Sixtine in Vatican, Michelangelo did paint it directly on the plaster. There are castles in France where it's painted on the wood of the ceiling as well. It depends.

[@stephanepierrot623]

The castle was first and foremost an instrument of power. Prior to the court moving to Versailles, most nobles spent most of the time in their castles, ruling over their lands and maintaining their own armies. Some of the most prominent dukes were often more powerful than the king and did not hesitate to defy his authority when they had a disagreement. Until Louis XIII, the king effectively ruled over Paris and its region but not much farther. Louis XIV acted like a mob boss, handing out favors and titles. But in order to be rewarded, nobles had to be there, at the palace, close to the king, at all times. That meant living on location and there was but one landlord, the Sun King himself. This is the reason why Versailles is so huge, it had to accomodate for thousands and thousands of people. Needless to say, rent was not cheap. Not only that but, in order to get the king’s attention, one had to have lavishly dressed servants, throw amazing parties and occasionally let his Majesty dispose of the mrs at will. As if that was not enough, the gambling going on was off the charts. Quite rapidly, the nobles could no longer afford the upkeep of private troups and had no choice but to pledge full allegiance to the king and fall in line. Louis XIV’s control of the entire country was quickly established, leading to the centralization of all powers in his hands. ’L’ Etat, c’est moi!’ ( I am the State). Many will argue that Versailles is too big to be beautiful, myself included, but it was a political stroke of genius that unified France as a country.

[@n0rmal953]

1:14 Louis XIV is famous for his absolute monarchy of divine right. Because of troubles and revolts during his childhood he maintained a iron grasp on all his ministers and all his vassals. Even more than his two Bourbon predecessors. It was not like that in most of history. Often Dukes were more powerful than kings in France or at least a real threat to the crown if their relationship wasn’t good. He left Paris to avoid having his palace in the city in the middle of the people and potentially revolts. So he left the Louvres and went to Versailles.

[@Kamonohashiii]

1:07 The origine of the french centralisation by Kraut would answer your question

[@quentin6893]

3:58 I would say yes because every other power copied France and everybody wanted to speak French. As military wise, Napoléon was very powerful. Louis XIV expanded France a lot though and the territories won still are part of France today. In 9th century, Charlemagne was pretty powerful too.

[@eugeneviollet-le-duc5971]

Quintessence de l’Art Français et cœur la Monarchie Française, Versailles a été voulu par notre plus grand Roi pour la plus grande gloire de la France !

[@TerabKult]

I'm French. Louis XIV ruined France to build the castle of Versailles, so he waged wars and was able to enrich it again, and France was at that time very rich... But that did not last, until to Louis XVI and his Queen, Marie Antoinette. France found itself ruined, which caused the French revolution. The revolutionary armies nevertheless won against its royalist neighbors, which allowed Napoleon to take power. But one thing is important to know: Napoleon never declared war (you can find out). He always did nothing but defend himself. He lost against the 7th or 8th royalist coalition (I don't know anymore) against him. Coalitions coming from the British, who were afraid that the ideas of freedom and equality would be exported to them, and that they would end up with the removal of their heads, as was customary with us

[@diegozappa9621]

Hi . Louis the 14 was not so peace powered, but yes, for my french knowing it was when the France was at the top on every things.

[@AlexS-oj8qf]

1:20 it actually ended right after Louis XIV, he is the last Absolute Monarchist that have so much centralized power, in the coming decades after his death will be the battle for nationalism and the diverge in Monarchism between Enlightened Absolutism and Constitutional Monarchy. Kings and Queens either remained the absolute power, but restrained by the awareness of enlightenment, or they sign away their power to become figureheads and let the people rule in his name. That’s why most palaces in Europe are in Baroque style, because that’s the last time the people in power have the ability to use public funds for personal usage. After that, they need their own personal money to fund these projects.

[@gaelleriddledesnoyers3257]

yes that's a bed but so unconfortable so the king used to sleep in a smaller room... but he "played" his "lever" and "coucher" as a real part of his daily schedule. Louis the fifteen had even more confortable bedroom next to this official bedroom.

[@camillebiau3717]

Hi! I Love your content & curiosity for the world with open mind. They don't talk about it in this video but the construction was quite a challenge as at the time this area in Paris suburbs was sort of wetlands so quite muddy. Like the Pyramids it came at a great cost of lives. This palace is the impressive & a reflection of Louis XIV's ego. It was not a good idea to crush it in any way. When Nicolas Fouquet (steward manager of France at the time & richer man of the country) gave a somptuous party (more than 1000 courtisans guests) for the royal couple at his own castle (Vaux-le-Vicomte castle) Louis XIV felt shadowed by the man, his success, his fortune, his intelligence, his castle , it ended-up in life imprisonement. This night was a tragedy on many levels as the chef François Vatel killed himself. For those interested you can watch the movie "Vatel" with G Depardieu in his role that recounts all those events

[@emjizone]

2:42 No, it's not paint as you describe it. It is *fresco.* Pigments are added to the very material that forms the surface of the roof, before it dries. This creates long-lasting pictorial decorations that stand up very well to the passage of time. It's extremely tedious work, as the workers work with their eyes and arms raised to work directly on the surface above their heads, with brushes and other tools, their feet resting on very high scaffolding. This causes torticollis. This uncomfortable position is very physical, but despite the pain, the workers must retain a keen sense of geometry and colour contrasts, as they are too close to the work to see the final result from below.

[@bastiennietveld7128]

No there are no fresco's in Versailles. The paintings were made in ateliers and fixed on the ceiling. Every now and then we take them down for restauration. I know this for certain 'cause my ex- sister in law ( Patricia Bouchenot-Dechin)worked together with Béatrice Saule in the Palace. 😊

[@fredericvolatil8910]

The reign of Louis XIV lasted almost 55 years, including 35 years of war. More than during the revolution and the first empire. The numbers involved and the losses were just as considerable. France waged war against Spain for 24 years and eventually won. The war of devolution lasted two years and ended with the victory of France against Spain, England, the Netherlands and Sweden. The Dutch War lasted six years from 1672 to 1678 and saw another French victory this time over Holland, the Holy Empire, Spain, Brandenburg and Denmark, Norway. In short, France often imposes itself against the whole of Europe.

[@AlexS-oj8qf]

Also if you’re interested for more, there’s 2 videos on the Palace expansion by Versailles KZbin Channel: 1. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmOWZqmmhLmijLcsi=KwN5ftBnITLryJBH 2. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZvWnqSjiLOhfrcsi=iHhTFsmLB5lDOKEp

[@DEGriffSoc]

As to how long did absolute monarchies last: We think of absolute monarchy as something very antiquated but it's really a quite modern idea. Absolute monarchy, in which the monarch effectively wields all the power of the state, has historically been very rare. There's only really a short period in Europe as we start to reach the modern era when monarchies exist alongside the kind of infrastructure required to wield national power without relying on decentralised feudalism. For most of France's history, for example, the monarch's power is rather week and he is dependent on the wider aristocracy to enforce his will. It's only really when a more formal state bureaucracy starts to develop that some kings manage to disempower the aristocracy and effectively rule alone. It requires the idea of a state separate from the inheritance claims of the nobility and that is a relatively recent idea. This period maybe starts to get going in the 17th century but it isn't really until into the 18th century that they start to form more stable configurations. The period then lasts a little into the 20th century. So we're only talking a couple of centuries out of nearly 2000 years of European monarchies. The high-point for them is probably the 19th century, when Germany, Austria-Hungary and Russia are all absolute monarchies with significant international power. The last European absolute monarchy is probably Austria-Hungary. That ends with the end of WW1.

[@peterlbaldwin511]

Something that Struck me Most about "Versailles", was that despite it's sprawling opulence and sheer magnificence, it is a place of Stark contrasts. For instance it was only ever occupied by just THREE Kings.,Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI, the last of course being overthrown during The French Revolution of 1789. Despite being Colossally Sumptuous, unlike every other Royal Palace, there is No Grand Central Staircase, as a reference point in the Chateau and the French Royal Family actually lived in about just 12 rooms. The Royal family were required to live extremely publicly, for example even a private family meal, would be watched by hordes of spectators.... Louis XVI, Frances' last Absolute Monarch actually ruled the country from his Private Study, a comparatively small room overlooking an inner courtyard. It had his ornate(mid-size) desk of course but none of the opulent grandeur one might have imagined.. Just a few illustrations of to me, the many stark contrasts about the Majesty that IS "VERSAILLES"..!

[@user-gt2ud2gw9e]

Hi Jibby. I have been to Versailles suburb (very historic town) but not in the Palace itself. The French told ne you need a whole day to see just that place.! Castles wise - I think you would prefer the Loire Valley (which is a region to the south of Paris (another US state). There, there are dozens of 'chateaux' (plural of castles). You could quite easily spend one month going round France.!

[@victoriajane9687]

On year😊😊😊

[@gilles4444-xu3tc]

Louis 14th end of reign was disastrous. He lost hisson, grandson and Louis 15 became king without experience, of a ruined country, due to too many wars. Other side of medal. From France. But for sure, middle long reign was our peak.

[@olivierca5854]

4:00 France was at its most powerful under Napoleon I (Napoleon Bonaparte), who literally conquered Europe and invaded the Russian Empire until he reached the gates of Moscow. It was also a period when France won battles and wars with its own army against coalitions and alliances of European kingdoms and empires, once grouping over 20 states. It was also Napoleon Bonaparte who sold French Louisiana to what were then the beginnings of the United States. Louisiana was a territory encompassing part of Canada and extending as far south as the present-day United States. With this purchase, the United States was able to expand as far as the Pacific Ocean.

[@Hiro_Trevelyan]

Louis XIV actually lead a powerful army. Largest population = largest army, generally speaking. He won a lot of wars which assured his control over Europe (he placed his nephew on the throne of Spain if I'm not wrong). Don't underestimate his military power. About construction, it depends on what parts most of the time; most stuff is actually added and not done on site, only finishing touches being done at the end. But some stuff requires to be done entirely on site. It just depends on what part you're looking at, or what painting, if it's a fresco or on canvas, etc.

[@heliedecastanet1882]

Hey ! You are almost right : Philippe V of Spain was not Louis XIV's nephew but his grandson. That is why, today, the head of the House of Bourbon is Louis of Cadix and Anjou, from Spain (though being a Bourbon too, Felipe VI is not the head)

[@GRbobkaina]

Are drinks prohibited? i see many americans without their usual drinks in their while wandering around

[@jerry2357]

1:05 The absolute power of kings ended at different times in different countries. In England, Wales and Scotland, it really ended with the English Civil War of 1642-51. But James II tried to bring it back, resulting in the English inviting William of Orange and his wife Mary II (daughter of James II) to deal with the problem and take the throne. This was the Glorious Revolution of 1688. After this, Britain was a constitutional monarchy. The absolute power of kings in France finished with the French Revolution (1789). The absolute power of the tsars in Russia ended with the Russian Revolution of 1917.

[@DenUitvreter]

The Dutch Republic invaded Britain because it couldn't have it team up with Louis XIV against them like in 1672, that was an extremely close call. William demanded to be invited while the invasion fleet was being build and the army assembled. In terms of sharing political power and civil rights this made Britain much more like the Dutch Republic, which was the product of the Dutch declaring that their king, Philip II of Spain, had left his legitimate throne of the Netherlands by becoming a tyrant instead of serving the people and trampling on the inalienable rights of the people and the rights and privileges the cities had acquired over the centuries. This Declaration of Independence was in 1581. It was not denying the divine right of kings fully, but nuanced it severely in the sense that it became conditional and the people had to right no longer to recognize the king as theirs when he had become a tyrant.

[@Simon-.-]

The moment when France was the most powerful compared to other nations can be considered either under the empire of Charlemagne or under the empire of Napoleon. But if we look at France alone, it's obviously the most powerful today with its technologies.

[@alexbardoux7297]

"The state...it's me" (translation of a declaration of Louis XIV). It's time of "absolute monarchy"...but despite this, a king doing too many mistakes finishes badly, so Versailles is not a absurdity, but a large place to keep all nobility under control .You can consider it was less expensive than endless internal wars .

[@marcomarco6430]

The reason for the french revolution: people starving e while the king spent the money to build it

[@cignalottu]

Sure, you understand now why we did the Revoluution... Even if Versailles is a wonderful place.

[@josephguillerey4391]

When did it end that the king could do whatever he wanted? depends on each country but in France that would be 1789 when we became a constitutionnal monarchy with the revolution, then we decided it wasn't enough and shortened him a bit in 1793. even the 3 kings that came back later had limitations to their power. the only exeption were the 2 emperors Napoléon (full powers from 1799 to 1814 and 100 days in 1815) and his nephew Louis-Napoléon aka Napoléon III, with full powers from 1852 to 1870.

[@iantobaudonnel1138]

I'd say that was France most powerful time indeed. It was then the first economy, worldwide

[@micade2518]

Hi, Connor, I think you should enjoy this great French TV series. It's a whodunnit set in the times of French King Louis XV, the hero being a Police Commissioner.:"Nicolas le Floch: The Riddle of the White Coats - French Period Drama - Full Episode - ENG SUB" - Stream TV

[@GileadMaerlyn]

4:00 In terms of military, I think France hit its peak with Napoleon, but in terms of cultural influence, it must have been with Louis XIV.

[@redford4ever]

I would say peak French culture was in the XIXth century/pre WWI. The Louis XIV era left a lot of hall mark building, including some that could never be completed but aside of theater arts in general were not nearly at the level they would reach by the end of the XIXth century (when the Eiffel Tower was build for reference). Versailles had a lot of influence on other courts but what they deemed important back then was quite superficial all things considered. Philosophy though was booming and that was also the era of the Esprit des Lumières which is often thought as a first step to the coming of democracies in the Western world.

[@cmarie9729]

The video is nice, but the story about using half the GDP is false. Research found much less than that, because : 1- The king had a lot of other things to pay for, 3- The construction took decades so the cost was spread , 2- Most importantly, the king was not the owner of the entire GDP of the country, far from that. The royal treasury received, taxes and some various payments, not the entirety of the wealth.

[@kayd6572]

To answer your first quiery : There was basically 2 different types of Royalty in EU back in the day. Absolut Monarchy were the king own the kingdom and all of it's subject and can do whatever he wishes. (France for instance) and Parlementary Royalty in wich the King as minimum power but still ownership and has to deal with senate/parlment/congress whatever you want to call it. (UK) That split occured mainly after the defeat of John Lackland of England against Philippe Augustus of France. To summarize, Philippe Augustus won the war by annexing some of his lords lands and making it as a Royal property, thus creating an absolut monarchy in France while John Lackland severely punished the lords that were robbed by Philippe Augustus instead of garantee them justice. It created a situation in wich they had no choice but to stick with Philippe Augustus while John Lackland himself got "demoted" by his own advisors and lords and got its political hands tied. So when the french revolution chopped off Louis XVI 's head and Napoleon defeating and replacing almost all of the absolut monarch in Europe, once everything went to the drain, only Constitutional monarchy still remained.

[@Skaaald]

To answer the fist question, kings in France lost power as they lost their heads.

[@peterturnham5134]

First limitation of king Powers 1215, the Magna carta in England, then we went on to cut off kings heads, that severely limited their power. France didn't get the hang of this till the French revolution. Versailles I currently live 30 minutes from there. To see the chateau www book a tour of the King's chambers in English. In a small group with an English speaking guide you will see the intimate detail in Versailles. You go round all the queues and see either the royal chappelle or the royal opera. Which normal visitors do not see. After that take a shopping bag of bread and feed the carp in the "Hammeau de la reine" Trust me

[@0bzen22]

It's the paradox. Mega-rich assholes creating palaces, that everyone can appreciate a few centuries later. These days, what modern architecture can compete with centuries-old cathedrals, chateaux and palaces, really. Nothing.

[@Lapantouflemagic0]

1:30 it has never really been the case in most countries, the king can be the king only as long as his nobles don't topple him. some were really powerless, holding a fancy title but "ruling" over dukes or archdukes who could clearly topple him, like the kings of englands who were forced to sign off some of their power and be constrained by rules, and some were essentially all-powerfull like louis the 14th. france is a bit particuliar in that it unified and consolidated its central power centuries before other european countries. Anyway spending money on ludicrous crap is generally possible for the king, but you may or may not ending up havign a date with the guillotine if you mess up too badly, or just be deposed by whoever is rich enough to refill the country's coffers. as for the modern day monarchs... they basically all had to sign off part of their powers in the wake of the french revolution and napoleon's empire. once people have understood that they are the country, kings have to become wiser.

[@kikoo2023]

Ca fait un bail que je ne suis pas allé à Versailles ... allez on va essayer de faire ça en 2025 ...

[@emjizone]

6:17 *It seems what it is and it is what it seems* : it actually took hours, days or weeks of expert work to create each detail, not even talking about designing the general plan of it.

[@dzzope]

If I'm not mistaken, many of the nobels were kept there, not exactly forcibly but certainly against their will. A gilt prison of sorts. He wanted to keep power more centralised, so kept the powerful people at his court, far away from their own seats of power and influence. Unless I'm totally mixing things up. 😅

[@jfrancobelge]

When Louis XIV was still a child he and his regent mother (as he inherited the crown at the age of 5) faced a civil war led by some aristocrats who challenged royal power. To the point that they had to flee Paris in the middle of night to avoid being captured by the rebels. When things finally settled the young king decided that he would from now on keep all these rebellious aristocracy under control and that what Versailles was for most of them, a golden prison. During the revolt Parisians had sided with the rebellious lords; consequently Louis XIV was extremely resentful of Paris and the Parisians, and this is why he built his palace in Versailles, outside Paris. And many of his trusted ministers were from the bourgeoisie or lower aristocracy, as he simply did not trust the higher aristocracy which he carefully kept reined in.

[@guillaumepiet4793]

@@jfrancobelge And finally the bourgeoisie managed their own revolution in 1789 when the aristocrats failed earlier .

[@alcidesfy]

You could NEVER do "whatever you wanted" as a king. First of all your power was relative to the size of your domain. The reason the king of France got so powerful is because he extended his domain to include that of other lords over centuries, and he had the Church's support or rather the pope pas lenient with the King of France and let him govern his domain as he pleased, because the king of France was a supporter of the Church. That meant that the Emperor and the Pope had virtually no say in France's affairs, which helped it grow in power (it was already factually influential). Next, the king was subject to THE LAW, or rather, he had no say on legal matters locally. The way the King of France got his independance from the Emperor was that he did not apply Roman Law, the civil law inherited from the Roman empire, and after the fall of the Roman Empire, by heirs of Charlemagne. The king had to be the guardian of customs, and customs were local laws that were accepted by everyone, which stemmed from the rule of local lords and which structured feudal society. So the law was inexistent, so to say. Except in southern regions formerly populated by descendents of romans, where customs and roman law meant the same thing. Kings of France, little by little, unified France by subduing the lords and stopping infighting, which led to economic growth. The King had to ask the Great council of Lords for permission to pass edicts, and then he decided he could do without. The king, next, decided that as the guardian of customs, he had to fight against "bad customs" for the salvation of his subjects souls or some shit. That meant that the king decided which customs-- which laws -- would apply. The custom of Paris was the custom of the Kings's domain, and it acted as default. So, the king had both the customs in his grasp, and the edicts without much resistance from the lords, as well as a vast domain encompassing most of France. The other domains were historically his vassals' anyway, so even when he didn't own the land, the land was his vassals' There was a new phenomenon starting in the 14th centrury, built around tradition (the king could NOT decide against tradition) that the domain was that of the Crown, and not that of the king. So, the King wasn't a man, he was the Crown itself. The Absolute Monarch was a despot, but he wasn't someone who could just do as he pleased. He encountered resistance by the local parliaments and had to subdue them. He still governed with his Council, only he did not consult it. That's why when Louix XVI decided to consult with the Council, the Council saw an opportunity to take over and heads came down. VERSAILLES represents the pinaccle of the King's power, because of Louis XIV's longevity, because of the concentration of power at the king's hands (unification of France and its customs, the royal edicts which transformed society, a strong state, military influence and the establishment of the Crown-as-Republic -- Republic as is the res publica, the State). VERSAILLES represents the subjugation of the nobility through luxury and courtisan politics. The king as a charismatic leader used Versailles' prestige to call the nobility to Versailles, have them spend fortunes in apparat and expensive dress, and depleted any opposition of power.

[@sylvaincroissant7650]

There has been many eras of "France at its zenith" so it is hard to pinpoint, as France is an old nation that started at the late 400s. From Clovis (circa 500) to Charles Martel (circa 732) , from Charlemagne (circa 800), to Philippe auguste, or Philippe le bel(1300) , Louis XIv , louis xV, Napoléon...or even Clémenceau . Each time it was at its peak on the battlefield. By no means Napoleon is the summit. Louis XIV was as succesful as Napoléon for instance. But the highest point of France "grandeur" was probably during the reign of Saint Louis (louis the IX) around 1250. Both culturally (the building of the sainte chappelle) , politically ( France was by far the most powerful power of Europe, and for instance the kingdom of England was a vassal state to France at that time), or in the sciences/theolodgy (the University of Paris was created around that time, and would be the model of Oxford or Cambridge later on).

[@akiraraiku]

The Palace was even greater before the revolution. No city sprawl and far more consequent gardens, almost 4 times nowadays !

[@yannicklaisne5436]

Louis XIV never said ' I am the State ". But on his beddeath, he said " I die, but the State will remain ". Once he became emperor, Napoleon though about to take the king's bed in Versailles but he decided not to sleep on it.

[@user-sr7jg1pl4y]

"when did the period ends where, if you were a king you could do whatever you wanted ?" Guillotine in the corner : "Hmm well, actually..."

[@vivienbossut]

Re: Louis XIV vs. Napoléon power - Napoleon conquered almost all of Europe but for a short period of time - Napoleons created modern judicial system, modern schooling system - But Napoleon(s) did all of this because rhe UK was extremely powerful and he was trying to catch up with them so I would say France was more influential under Louis than Napoleon. But it is my « opinion » as I don’t know enough about it all.

[@SomostEwergarten]

well louis 14 was an incredible king and had the money to back him up, he wasnt just doing whatever he wanted but yeah its crazy i think napoléon Bonaparte had a bigger power in his hand considering he was able to change kings of others countries to his liking, conquer almost all europe but had a terrible end because he wasnt able to keep it for the next generation even if there heritage is still big and we still feel it till this days the garden is the most impressive part because of firework, fountains, flowers

[@MannyQuid]

In France, it ended when the monarchy was abolished and Louis XVI was arrested and decapitated early 1790s, it started the birth of the 1st french republic.

[@n0rmal953]

And then monarchy came back a few times under different kings and even two emperor. It didn’t disappear in 1790 entirely

[@RA-ov5cw]

The thing is that today's monarchies like the one of Great Britain are parlementary monarchies. During Louis XIV it was an absolute monarchy.

[@R0ckRoots]

It's impossible to tell who is more powerful between Napoléon and Louis XIV. They both had a huge impact on the country and the continent. Maybe Napoléon achieved more but he wasn't able to keep it, Louis XIV has the longest rule over the country. We could maybe say Napoléon was more memorable about military and legislation, and Louis XIV more memorable about the arts and the culture.