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Published: July 13th 2012
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Our tour guide at Versailles acted (and sounded) like he was half historian and half curator of the museum.
The pure grandure of Versailles and the fact fact it was open for public spectacle is probably what what contributed most to the French revolution. To say this place is over-the-top is not exageration. It is sparsely furnished now because after the revolution most of it's furnishings were sold. Was is here now either authentic 18th century furniture similar to what would have been found here or actual peices from Versailles that they have been able to buy back when they become available at auction (such as Christies).
One interesting story is of the furniture in Louis' office (I have pictures of his personal desk that was comissioned and made just for that room - it took like 5 years to make). Anyway, all of the furniture in the entire room had been acquired by the Louvre many years before and had been on display there. But in the 70's (I think) the Queen of England was planning a state visit to France and she was going to stay at Versailles. Since they didn't have a desk for her to
Clock
Made specifically for this room, this clock still keeps tme. Also still tells the date and day of week! Originally the upper globe also depicted the positions of the sun, oon, and planets but that portion no longer works. use, Versailles asked the Louvre if they could borrow the furniture for that room while the Queen was there. The Louvre said yes, the Queen used the desk, and Versailles has kept it ever since - proving that possesion is nine tenth's of the law! But it's made such "loans" difficult to negotiate with the Louvre ever since. Now they have to trade items to display if they want to show a particular peice.
Sorry this post is out of order but I just realized this blog didn't get posted.
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