Inside the Royal Chapel
The Chapelle Royale (Royal Chapel) was the fifth and final chapel built for Louis XIV, and dedicated to St Louis, patron saint of the Bourbons.
The chapel was built during the fourth (and final) phase of construction.
Designed by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart (1646-1708), construction on the chapel began in 1689, but work was delayed due to war between France and the Grand Alliance (a coalition between the Anglo-Dutch William III, Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I, Charles II of Spain, Victor Amadeus II of Savoy, and other princes); work resumed after France's victory, running from 1699–1710.
The ceiling of the nave is decorated with 'God the Father in His Glory Bringing to the World the Promise of Redemption' by Antoine Coypel; the half-dome of the apse with 'The Resurrection of Christ' by Charles de la Fosse; and above the royal tribune is 'The Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Virgin and the Apostles' by Jean Jouvenet.
The Palace of Versailles was created at the instruction of Louis XIV, and was the centre of French government and power from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until Louis XVI and the royal family was forced to return to the capital in 1789.
The chateau is built around a hunting lodge established by by Louis XIII, and was created in four phases: 1664–68, 1669–72, 1678–84 and 1699–1710, by the architects Le Vau, Le Nôtre, and Le Brun.
Inside the Royal Chapel
The Chapelle Royale (Royal Chapel) was the fifth and final chapel built for Louis XIV, and dedicated to St Louis, patron saint of the Bourbons.
The chapel was built during the fourth (and final) phase of construction.
Designed by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart (1646-1708), construction on the chapel began in 1689, but work was delayed due to war between France and the Grand Alliance (a coalition between the Anglo-Dutch William III, Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I, Charles II of Spain, Victor Amadeus II of Savoy, and other princes); work resumed after France's victory, running from 1699–1710.
The ceiling of the nave is decorated with 'God the Father in His Glory Bringing to the World the Promise of Redemption' by Antoine Coypel; the half-dome of the apse with 'The Resurrection of Christ' by Charles de la Fosse; and above the royal tribune is 'The Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Virgin and the Apostles' by Jean Jouvenet.
The Palace of Versailles was created at the instruction of Louis XIV, and was the centre of French government and power from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until Louis XVI and the royal family was forced to return to the capital in 1789.
The chateau is built around a hunting lodge established by by Louis XIII, and was created in four phases: 1664–68, 1669–72, 1678–84 and 1699–1710, by the architects Le Vau, Le Nôtre, and Le Brun.