Enter the World of King Louie XIV on Ovation’s New Series, Versailles.
(*Special thanks to Ovation TV for sponsoring today’s post! All opinions are my own.)
As Michael and I continually try to narrow down the itinerary for a a “two week-ish” European trip in the near future, one country is definitely staying on the bucket list: France. While there is the obvious, four letter reason why I want to experience it (Wine), I am also fascinated with the rich history to explore and get lost in.
Along with The Louvre and visiting Monet’s home, I am intrigued to at last go between the walls of The Hall of Mirrors at The Palace of Versailles. The château built for King Louie XIV in the Île-de-France region of France, it lays only about 15 miles from Paris, and well, who would NOT want to say they have been here??
For those of us who cannot walk through this mansion on a hop, skip and a jump, can at-least dive into the world of King Louie XIV and revisit the 17th century in Ovation TV’s newest drama, Versallies. Premiering October 1st, Versailles captures the romance, drama and betrayal that surrounds The Sun King as well as showcasing the beauty in the high society of that time. Having adored The Tudor’s back in the day, this is certainly a welcomed return to the era on television! From their web-site:
“At 28, King Louis XIV of France commissions Versailles, the most beautiful palace in Europe, which serves as the King’s gilded prison – keeping his friends close and enemies closer.
Enter a world of untold wealth, power, and passion. Where love and lust are just a heartbeat away from deceit and betrayal.
Experience Versailles in all its brutal glory. Only on Ovation.”
From homosexual affairs to infidelity, Versailles will capture every nook and kranny that went down in The 17th Century leading up to The French Revolution.
Some other cool facts I came across…..
In the 19th century the “Museum of the History of France” was founded in Versailles, at the behest of Louis-Philippe I, who ascended to the throne in 1830.
The Hall of Mirrors is easily the most famous room. It has 17 huge mirrored arches opposite 17 windows. Each one of the arch contains 21 mirrors, which makes it a massive 357 in all. The hall is 73 meters (239.5 feet) long, 10.5 meters (34.4 feet) wide, and 12.3 meters (40.4 feet) high. The ceilings of the hall have intricate paintings and the borders of the wall are decorated with gilded statues. The several glass chandeliers that hang from its ceiling, are another beautiful aspect of the hall. On special occasions, the Hall of Mirrors was lit with as many as 20,000 candles to transform it into a “corridor of light”.
The Palace of Versailles cover an area of 8,150,265 square meters (87,728,720 square feet), or 2,014 acres, making it the World’s Largest Royal Domain.
The palace itself contains 67,002 square meters (721,206 square feet) of floor space.
The Versailles is OPEN to the public and you can plan your visit HERE.
If you are as excited for Versailles as I am, make sure you have Ovation! If you don’t, use the area locator search bar on their official website to find out how to get it!
Versailles premieres Sunday, October 1st, at 10pm ET/PT.