Versailles was originally a small hunting lodge built by Louis XIII, but his son Louis XIV extensively expanded it over 21 years, moving the royal court and French government there in 1682. Subsequent kings through the French Revolution further embellished the castle, which contained opulent rooms like the Hall of Mirrors and apartments for the King and Queen. The expansive grounds included beautifully landscaped gardens and fountains. Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, ruled from 1643 to 1715, an exceptionally long reign of 72 years during which he centralized power and transformed Versailles into the seat of French royal authority.

1. Versailles

2. The building of the castle

3. Before the big castle, there was a small
hunting castle built by Louis XIII.

4. His son, Louis XIV extended the
castle and moved in with his court
and the French government in
1682 .
The extension lasted 21 years .

5. Kings followed after the other in the castle until
the French Revolution. Each of them made the
castle more attractive and beautifull.
The
King's
flat

6. Description of the castle

7. The castle of Versailles is the most beautifull castle
in France.
There are some beautifull rooms in the castle : the
mirrors gallery, the big flat of King Louis XIV, the
flat of the Queen,...
The flat of the Queen the mirrors gallerythe mirrors gallery

8. There is also a very
big and beautifull
park with many
fountains.

9. King Louis XIV

10. Louis XIV was
born in 1638 in
Saint–Germain-
en–Laye, near
Paris.
He became king
when he was 5
years old, when
his father Louis
XIII died .

11. Louis XIV was also called «le Roi Soleil »
(the Sun King ).
In 1682, he moved with his court to
Versailles Castle.

12. Louis XIV reigned
from 1643 to 1715,
during 72 years !
He was an absolute
king (he directed
every thing alone).

13. Good bye!