Saed News: The strange story of the hidden staircase in the Palace of Versailles during the reign of King Louis XV is an intriguing tale that, alongside the beauty of the palace, can be quite fascinating.
According to the travel service of Saed News, this article shares the travel experiences of an individual named Mich Cardin, who traveled to France and visited the Palace of Versailles:
is one of the most famous palaces in France, and throughout its history, it has become a symbol of luxury and royalty, especially due to the life of Marie Antoinette with her lavish parties and fashion sessions.
This palace was the seat of four kings for over a century, and historians and the people of France have speculated many rumors about the royal residents behind its walls. This place is filled with mysteries and has always been a source of numerous debates.
In Sofia Coppola’s films, such as Marie Antoinette, the mistresses of kings (from Louis XIII to Louis XV) are depicted. In fact, these mistresses had luxurious apartments in the palace, and the kings could access them through a hidden corridor.
Marie Antoinette often sought refuge in a house a few minutes away from the palace. There, she could rest in her blue-colored room, where the walls were designed in a way that allowed light to pass through easily, or they could be lifted for privacy.
During this visit, we were given the opportunity to tour the palace’s forbidden areas with the accompaniment of a famous historian, Mathieu de Vigne, who introduced us to the hidden secrets and dark parts of this historical treasure.
In the 17th century, a monk and servant attempted to assassinate King Louis XV in one of the palace’s staircases. They entered through the main door that led to the palace courtyard, where the public gathered. The king’s thick winter coat protected him from the knife attacks, but the servant died after severe torture (including molten metal being poured on his wounds).
Madame de Barry, the mistress of King Louis XV, was an art enthusiast at the time. Louis XV fell for her, gifting her expensive jewels and luxurious clothes. However, these valuable gifts eventually led to her execution by guillotine during the French Revolution. Madame de Barry lived in a luxurious apartment in the palace, which had a large library, and from its window, one could see the palace courtyard. Her meetings with the king took place in this apartment since she wasn’t allowed into the king’s house.
King Louis XVI, the grandson of Louis XV and husband of Marie Antoinette, was the only king who separated himself from outside affairs. He decided to prevent his father’s use of this corridor by installing a metal window in the middle of the hallway to prevent any betrayal.
King Louis XVI was a shy and unsocial person who, in his youth, had a keen interest in studying sciences and geography. He later became famous for constructing fascinating locks. This room was his private study and research space, inherited from his father, Louis XV, who was interested in science, medicine, and painting.
Petit Trianon was a residence built for the mistresses of the kings, and it was once the home of Madame de Barry. After Louis XVI became king, Marie Antoinette entered his life. Marie lived in the palace like a refugee, always seeking to escape the court's formalities. She desired a private and simple home, which included a living room with movable walls that could be raised or lowered depending on her need for privacy.
The kings and queens of France had two types of living quarters in the palace: one public section accessible to the public, which included sleeping rooms where the king didn’t sleep, and a private section designed for the kings' daily life during non-working hours. This image shows the personal library of Louis XVI, who had a great interest in geography. According to de Vigne, the king used the telescope in this library to observe the comings and goings of people in the palace courtyard.
When the king's mistress lived in the palace, her servants had large sleeping rooms as well. These images show some details of the palace and the sleeping quarters for the servants, which were built as holes in the walls.
One of the most beautiful rooms in the palace, according to de Vigne, was the dressing room and restroom of Louis XVI. The 18th-century style toilet was hidden behind a secret wall. The golden designs on the ceiling and walls of the room clearly reflect the king’s interest in geography.
This open and beautiful space was the meeting place for Louis XV and Madame de Barry. It was designed as a small hunting ground for the king, and his love for hunting is clearly evident in this space. One can imagine romantic meetings or political discussions taking place here, far from the hustle and bustle of the court.
