All About the Versailles' Hall of Mirrors

The hall features Rouge de Rance marble pilasters made of red reef limestones and gilded bronze capitals based on the 'French Style.' Topped with symbols of French identity, such as the fleur-de-lis and Gallic roosters, these columns reflect the nation's pride and heritage.

The hall is bathed in natural light streaming through its colossal, gold-framed windows. These windows help illuminate the space, making the hall look larger than it is. Fun fact: France was determined to build the Hall of Mirrors using only French materials, so these windows are as authentic as they get. When you look at them, feel the echoes of 17th-century France in every detail!

Charles Le Brun painted 30 elaborate compositions on the ceiling representing Louis XIV's legacy and political victories during his first 18 years of rule. They emphasize his success during the Dutch Wars of the 1660s-1670s. One notable painting, 'The King Governs for Himself,' is right in the center of the ceiling and illustrates the Sun King residing on the mighty throne.

The Hall's 17 arches, adorned with 357 mirrors, are strategically positioned opposite the 17 embowed windows. Outside the windows lies the carefully maintained gardens of Versailles, with ancient trees, bushes trimmed in geometrical shapes, blooming flowers, and monumental fountains depicting Greek gods. This lush view is often reflected in the mirrors on the arches, replicating the garden's beauty inside the gallery.