The treat of Versailles

Of all the palaces one reads about all over the world, very few are as celebrated as the Palace of Versailles. It was built by King Louis XIV of France, celebrated as the Sun King.
The Sun King's reign represented the glamorous peak of the French monarchy. Because he did not like Paris, he turned an old hunting lodge a short distance from the city into one of the greatest palaces ever built. It is a monument to royal excess that makes Indian palaces look like guest houses.
The palace was lit by thousands of candles, made from expensive beeswax. As my guide to the palace told me proudly last week, a single candle cost as much as a week's income for a French working man. ("That's why they had the French Revolution", I suggested, though my guide did not seem amused.)
Versailles is owned by the French government, which has spent hundreds of millions of euros on restoring it. I have been to Versailles - anyone can buy a ticket - but I have always found it too crowded with tourists. At its peak, before the pandemic, Versailles hosted 28,000 visitors a day; now the government has put a ceiling of 15,000 a day. You have to book days in advance to get in.
This is not as bad as it sounds because Versailles is huge. Around 10,000 people lived and worked in Versailles, so it was almost a small town. It has been treated as sacred. When visiting hours are over, the gates are locked and visitors are turned away.
Bu hikaye Brunch dergisinin August 26, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Brunch dergisinin August 26, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap

More than a thirst trap
Luxury water is not just about hydration. It's got taste, minerals and an origin story too. Is India ready to glug the good stuff?

Wipe the plate clean
Delhi's food scene has been lagging behind Mumbai's and Bengaluru's. Could the new Eldeco Centre change the game? It serves Bengali, Latin American and much more

This week, we're...
The Met Gala was the place for crazy fashion (Rihanna's Pope gown, Billy Porter's tux dress).

Microdosing profits
Itsy-bitsy clay vadas, teeny-weeny sofas, masterpieces in micro versions. Miniature art is blowing up. It's cute, it's viral, it's all in the details

Viral, but without the excess
These 10 content creators flip the IG script. They show you how to buy less, live small, ignore trends. Who knew de-influencing was a thing too?

Break free of your rut
Skip the familiar comforts. Pick a new restaurant, try a new style, switch up your routine. You'll discover the joy of novelty

Peacocks and progress
What's our national bird doing in the middle of India's commercial capital? Gieve Patel's work has a larger tale to tell

Beige flags
We're more than tan, dark, olive and (eww) wheatish. We react to the sun, smog and humidity, but don't stress over wrinkles. So, what do Brown complexions really need? Is there even such a thing as Indian skin? Experts break it down

Make a clean getaway
A holiday home only serves to lock you in the same location, year after year. Why not see the rest of the world, for a change?

Green-eyed monster
Dubai Chocolate’s success is the envy of the world. But within its pista-filled centre is a story of East and West, foreign and familiar, and a sweet nod to Palestine