The War Salon

This is the War Salon. At the center of the ceiling fresco stands a personification of France, draped in a cloak bearing the fleur-de-lis, the emblem of the House of Bourbon — the same symbol seen on the cloak in the portrait of Louis XIV in the previous room. The shield she carries bears an image of Louis XIV, surrounded by goddesses of victory celebrating France's military triumphs across Europe, in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and beyond.

A relief sculpture covering one entire wall places Louis XIV at its center, on horseback, trampling an enemy underfoot. Above him, the goddess of Fame sounds her trumpet and prepares to crown him with laurel, while below, two bound captives flank a representation of the face of Hercules. At the very bottom, Clio, the muse of history, inscribes Louis XIV's accomplishments onto a shield. The entire room, in effect, is a showcase of his military achievements.

Positioned just before the Hall of Mirrors, the palace's central stage, this room was designed to impress upon visiting nobles and diplomats, before they ever reached that grand hall, that the King of France was a formidable conqueror — instilling both pressure and awe.