The Ballroom
Designed by André Le Nôtre (1613-1700) and constructed 1680-83. The Ballroom Grove, is also called the Cascade Ballroom (or Rocaille Grove) because of the millstones and the sea shells brought back from the coasts of Africa and Madagascar over which the water pours down in a cascade. The marble “island” in the centre was used for dancing. Musicians played above the cascade and, facing them, an amphitheatre with grassy rows of seats enabled the spectators to sit down.
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.
The Ballroom
Designed by André Le Nôtre (1613-1700) and constructed 1680-83. The Ballroom Grove, is also called the Cascade Ballroom (or Rocaille Grove) because of the millstones and the sea shells brought back from the coasts of Africa and Madagascar over which the water pours down in a cascade. The marble “island” in the centre was used for dancing. Musicians played above the cascade and, facing them, an amphitheatre with grassy rows of seats enabled the spectators to sit down.
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.