Versailles

The Palace of Versailles was originally a modest hunting lodge built for King Louis XIII. It was his son, Louis XIV - famously known as the Sun King - who transformed it into a monumental masterpiece, symbolizing the zenith of 18th-century French art, architecture, and absolutist power. Its opulence and grandeur were unrivaled at the time, and they continue to astonish visitors even today.

To the impoverished peasants who lived alongside the privileged nobility, such lavishness was seen not as glory, but as grotesque excess. The stark contrast between the lives of the elite and the struggles of the common people laid the foundation for growing resentment - a resentment that would eventually erupt into the French Revolution. The monarchy paid the ultimate price for its detachment from the people, with King Louis XVI executed by guillotine on 21 January 1793.

Ironically, modern France now benefits greatly from the very symbols of royal extravagance that once fueled public outrage. The Palace of Versailles, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, draws millions of visitors each year - contributing significantly to the nation’s tourism revenue and cultural prestige. What was once a symbol of excess has become a treasured national asset.