Château de Versailles (France) - third part : Grand Trianon, Marie Antoinette's Estate and the park
Third part, and last one ! A long walk across the park, with a jumble of places and seasons.
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The castle remained almost useless and empty during the Revolution, Empire and Bourbon Restauration. In 1833, to save the place, Louis-Philippe decided to convert the castle into a museum "dedicated to all the glories of France". Paid by the king himself, the museum opens in 1837. But it's not the end of the story ! In 1870, Prussian army settles in the castle. The Mirror Gallery becomes a military hospital, where the German Empire is proclaimed in january 1871.
The castle remains in quite poor condition until 1887, when Pierre de Nolac is appointed curator of the castle and begins to restaure it, as it was before the Revolution. He also completely changes the museum, in a less ideological, more scientific point of view, develops a sponsorship network and organises protection of the collections during World War I. As a revenge for 1871, the treaty of Versailles is signed in the Hall of Mirrors. A new period of decay occured after the departure of Nolac, in spite of Rockefeller's useful financial help.
In 1940's, germans are back, and in 1951, it's raining again in the castle. French people mobilize to save the place : ambitious restauration and conservation projects are completed between 1950's and 1980's, to recreate the castle as you can see it nowadays.
♣♣♣
The Grand Trianon
Marie Antoinette's Estate
On the other side of the Grand Canal
The Grand Canal : july 2012...
...vs january 2010.
Back to the front courtyard
Walking around the castle, south east side, towards the swiss lake.
A last view of the castle, from the swiss lake.
♠ ♠ ♠
♣
The castle remained almost useless and empty during the Revolution, Empire and Bourbon Restauration. In 1833, to save the place, Louis-Philippe decided to convert the castle into a museum "dedicated to all the glories of France". Paid by the king himself, the museum opens in 1837. But it's not the end of the story ! In 1870, Prussian army settles in the castle. The Mirror Gallery becomes a military hospital, where the German Empire is proclaimed in january 1871.
The castle remains in quite poor condition until 1887, when Pierre de Nolac is appointed curator of the castle and begins to restaure it, as it was before the Revolution. He also completely changes the museum, in a less ideological, more scientific point of view, develops a sponsorship network and organises protection of the collections during World War I. As a revenge for 1871, the treaty of Versailles is signed in the Hall of Mirrors. A new period of decay occured after the departure of Nolac, in spite of Rockefeller's useful financial help.
In 1940's, germans are back, and in 1951, it's raining again in the castle. French people mobilize to save the place : ambitious restauration and conservation projects are completed between 1950's and 1980's, to recreate the castle as you can see it nowadays.
♣♣♣
The Grand Trianon
Marie Antoinette's Estate
On the other side of the Grand Canal
The Grand Canal : july 2012...
...vs january 2010.
Back to the front courtyard
Walking around the castle, south east side, towards the swiss lake.
A last view of the castle, from the swiss lake.
♠ ♠ ♠