It wasn’t all luxury – Versailles was really filthy too!
Versailles has long been a byword for glamour and luxuriousness. However, while it may have cost billions to build, with no expense spared on the furniture and decorations, it wasn’t always so glam. In fact, the Palace of Versailles could be a very unpleasant place to live, which is why so many noble families soon tired of it and chose to build their own homes outside of the royal grounds. Even Marie Antoinette found Versailles too much and escaped to her own private hamlet whenever she could.
One major downside of Versailles is that there were no proper toilet facilities. The architects simply never thought to include them. The King and other members of the royal family did their business in luxuriously-decorated commodes, often in their dining rooms or bed chambers. Incredibly, the King might also use a random corner to go to the toilet in, with servants expected to clean up after him. But even the lowliest of servant wasn’t expected to clean up after the dogs that lived in the palace. None of them were house-trained, and so the floors were often filthy.
To make matters worse, the marble floors meant the Palace of Versailles was almost constantly cold. Most rooms had fireplaces, but the chimneys were not so good. This meant the walls and the furnishings were soon covered in soot. So, while many visitors were awed by the size and splendour of the palace, many also noted the squalor, and the records show that some left distinctly unimpressed by the royal residence and determined never to return.
If life was grim for the nobles, it was even worse for the hundreds of servants employed to keep the palace running smoothly. In stark contrast to the sprawling royal residences and the suites reserved for the King’s favourites and esteemed guests, their accommodation was cramped, noisy and filthy. Unlike the richer residents, however, they didn’t have the option of leaving and living in a country house, with most staying in servitude for all of their working lives.
Where did we find this stuff? Here are our sources:
“The First Hot Air Balloon Flight: 19 September 1783.” The Palace of Versailles.
“The Royal Opera House.” The Palace of Versailles.
“Opera Royal de Chateau de Versailles.” Opera Online.
“Visitors to Versailles, 1682-1789.” The Palace of Versailles.
“France reveals restored Versailles Hall of Mirrors.” James Mackenzie, Reuters, June 2007.
“Hall of Mirrors, Versailles.” The New York Times, June 2007.