Fascinating Animations Show How the Palace of Versailles Evolved Over 400 Years

Versailles 3D Animation Versailles Construction Palace of Versailles Video Versailles Animation Versailles YouTube

Did you know that France is currently the most visited country in the world? Though impressive, this accolade is hardly surprising. Boasting countless cultural institutions and hoards of historic landmarks, France is full of top tourist destinations, including the Palace of Versailles. While you're likely familiar with the site as it stands today, the château has changed a lot over the years—an evolution you can now explore in three dimensions.

As a part of Versailles 3D, a collection of online projects, the estate has created three animated videos that outline the history of the Palace of Versailles. Beginning with its humble roots as a hunting lodge, the animations detail how the French monarchy expanded, lived in, and eventually fled the palace, which now serves as a museum.

The series is split into three videos: “From Louis XIII to the French Revolution“; “Versailles After the French Revolution“; and “From Gardens to Trianon Palaces.” Tracing the transformation of the estate with an easy-to-follow approach, this trio of videos lets you travel through both time and space—no trip to France required.

You can explore the entire project on the Versailles 3D website.

The Palace of Versailles has created three animated videos that detail the fascinating evolution of the estate. The series begins in 1624, when the world-famous site was a simple hunting lodge.

Versailles 3D Animation Versailles Construction Palace of Versailles Video Versailles Animation Versailles YouTube

The 3D animation then shows how it was transformed into an ever-expanding palace.

Versailles 3D Animation Versailles Construction Palace of Versailles Video Versailles Animation Versailles YouTube

Versailles 3D Animation Versailles Construction Palace of Versailles Video Versailles Animation Versailles YouTube

…Until the French Revolution, when the royal family fled.

Versailles 3D Animation Versailles Construction Palace of Versailles Video Versailles Animation Versailles YouTube

Though abandoned, the chateau was preserved and eventually turned into a museum…

Versailles 3D Animation Versailles Construction Palace of Versailles Video Versailles Animation Versailles YouTube

…which it remains to this day!

Versailles 3D Animation Versailles Construction Palace of Versailles Video Versailles Animation Versailles YouTube

Watch the animated videos below.

Versailles: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
h/t: [Open Culture]

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The Fascinating History and Controversial Construction of the Eiffel Tower

Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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