The Royal Courtyard

Have you made it inside?

This area is called the Royal Courtyard.

It was given that name because it served as the main entrance to the royal residence.

Now, take a look at the side where the ground is decorated with striking black-and-white marble.

The first floor of the building directly in front of you was the king's bedchamber.

The surrounding rooms were used by members of the royal family and the nobles who enjoyed the king's favor.

Now, with the king's bedchamber behind you, turn around and face the opposite direction.

In the distance, you'll see the golden Royal Gate.

The direction you're now facing is east.

And as you know, that's where the sun rises.

Every morning, Louis XIV—the Sun King—welcomed the rising sun from his bedchamber, looking out toward the east.

This was the view he woke up to every morning, and the gate he passed through each day. It was never meant to be ordinary.

That long fence is covered entirely in gold leaf.

It’s difficult to accurately convert 17th-century construction costs into today’s money, but considering that the restoration alone used 100,000 sheets of 24-karat gold leaf, you can imagine just how enormous the cost must have been.

From the very entrance, everything was designed to overwhelm nobles and visitors alike, reinforcing the image of Louis XIV as a ruler with almost divine authority.

Now, let's turn back toward the palace.

You can see statues decorating the exterior of the building.

They represent figures from classical mythology and personifications of virtues, all carefully placed to celebrate the absolute power and glory of Louis XIV.

Before we move on, this is the perfect spot to take a memorable photo.

Step onto the marble pavement in front of you, and that's where you'll get the best shot.

Take your time, capture some great photos, and when you're ready, head to the opposite side from where you entered the courtyard.

As soon as you go inside, please start the next chapter.