Visitors were allowed – and they went everywhere
King Louis XIV was not one of those kings who wanted to be left alone. Quite the opposite, in fact. This was a man who reveled in the company of others. Or, more specifically, he enjoyed being seen and showing off his enormous wealth and, above all, his palace, which was the envy of royals right across Europe. However, it wasn’t just nobles and blue-blooded aristocrats who were able to enjoy the stunning exteriors and ornate interiors of the Palace of Versailles. In 1682, Louis opened his home to the public. As well as being allowed to stroll its extensive grounds, visitors were also allowed to walk the palace’s hallowed hallways – provided they follow the rules, of course.
In accordance with the societal norms of the time, any man wishing to visit the Palace of Versailles was required to dress accordingly. This meant wearing now just a hat but a sword too. Fortunately for those who came unprepared, both formal hats and dress swords could be borrowed for the duration of a visit. Women, of course, were similarly expected to dress according to the fashions of the time, with formal wear and dancing gowns expected if they were staying for dinner or for a ball.
A diverse range of visitors passed through the Golden Gates between 1682 and 1789. These included representatives from almost every country in Europe, as well as from further afield. For example, the Ambassador of Siam visited in 1686, with the Ambassador of the Indian kingdom of Mysore coming two years later. But visitors also included scientists, poets and upper-class gentleman dropping by on the ‘Grand Tour’ of Europe. Indeed, before long, Versailles became just as important as Rome as a Grand Tour destination, with poets and philosophers keen to be seen there. Incredibly, visitors were allowed into all areas of the palace, including the royal chambers. So, when Marie Antoinette gave birth to her daughter in December 1778, a huge crowd was there watching the whole thing.
Shortly after Louis XIV’s decision to open Versailles up to visitors, a vibrant – and lucrative – market for souvenirs started to develop. Most visitors to the palace wanted to take a memento home with them and were happy to pay large sums for the privilege. Expensive books, filled with printed paintings of highlights such as the Hall of Mirrors and the Ambassadors’ Staircase became bestsellers, as did miniature versions of the sculptures dotted throughout the landscaped gardens. While it may not have been on the same scale as today, by the turn of the 18th century, the Palace of Versailles was already a major tourist destination.