Versailles: A Biography of a Palace

by Tony Spawforth

The behind-the-scenes story of the world’s most famous palace, painting a picture of the way its residents truly lived and examining the palace’s legacy, from French history through today.

The story of Versailles is one of historical drama, under the last three kings of France’s old regime, mixed with the high camp and glamour of the European courts, all in an iconic home for the French arts. The palace itself has been radically altered since 1789, and the court was long ago swept away. Versailles sets out to rediscover what is now a vanished world: a great center of power, seat of royal government, and, for thousands, a home both grand and squalid, bound by social codes almost incomprehensible to us today.

Using eyewitness testimony as well as the latest historical research, Spawforth offers the first full account of Versailles in English in over thirty years. Blowing away the myths of Versailles, he analyses afresh the politics behind the Sun King’s construction of the palace and shows how Versailles worked as the seat of a royal court. He probes the conventional picture of a “perpetual house party” of courtiers and gives full weight to the darker side: not just the mounting discomfort of the aging buildings but also the intrigue and status anxiety of its aristocrats. The book brings out clearly the fateful consequences for the French monarchy of its relocation to Versailles and also examines the changing place of Versailles in France’s national identity since 1789.

 Many books have told the stories of the royals and artists living in Versailles, but this is the first to turn its focus on the palace itself---from architecture and politics to scandal and restoration.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, France, Biography, Royalty, 18th Century, Research

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2008

Reviews

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is estimated that the building of Versailles cost 91.7 million livres, creating the myth that its construction was a cause of the French Revolution. But this price is " dwarfed by the expenditure of the military: 114 million livres in one year alone." There was obviously an impression of endless bounty during the last century and a half of the French monarchy. One courtier was quoted as thinking the king of France had followed the ancient example of opulent Darius of Persia and not the austere Alexander the Great. For example, Louis XVI had 2,000 horses in his Grand Stable.
Versailles became a fantasy made from extravagance and licentiousness. It was only 12 miles from the capital, but the common population may as well have been hundreds of miles away for as much as they could view of the court. Rumors flew regarding furnishings, festivities, and fellowship.
For various reasons, the great revolution broke out, and Versailles was part of the drama. Over a century of monarchical rule, then suddenly it's filled by citizens of the Republic, namely Napoleon. We all know the story behind his toppling, which led to multiple, random governments, all who utilized the palace in one way or another, finally turning it into a museum.
Probably the most enduring political use of Versailles in modern times is the possession by Wilhelm I of Germany, followed by the signing of the Treaty of Versailles ending WWI two decades later, which was a major trigger of WWII.
Although the book was quite informative, the chapters seemed a bit haphazard. I could never quite figure out how the author was organizing his thoughts. Also, the book spent ONE chapter on time from napoleon on. That makes no sense to me. If it's a biography of the palace, then it seems shortchanged.

[Manuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many books about the last three French kings before the revolution, but this is the first book that actually gave a behind the scenes look into the everyday life of Versailles.

Starting with Louis XIV's distrust of Paris and his need to feel in control; he not only built a home for himself but transferred the entire government to his palace, never mind the cost to France.

Eventually Versailles became a world unto itself, ignoring Paris and the rest of France. If you wanted to succeed you moved with the court to Versailles. Eventually Louis' great palace would be the home to over 3000 courtiers and their families.

The book captures in wonderful detail, the highly entrenched etiquette that made life uncomfortable for not just the courtiers but to the royals themselves. On more the one occasion, Marie Antoinette had to wait naked and shivering because her dressing gown could only be presented by the highest ranking noblewoman in the room; and each minute another Duchess or Princess entered the room.

This process had to be repeated in reverse when she went to bed.

The book answered all those questions I wanted to ask when I visited Versailles myself, but I was too embarrassed to ask. How and where did the royals relieve themselves, where and how they ate and entertained themselves. I was especially surprised by the lack of privacy of all the kings. Everyone knew when the king and queen were going to have sex, because the king had to walk through his antechamber full of courtiers to reach the queens bedroom.

My only complaint about this book, is a lack of maps and charts giving the layout of Versailles. Tony Spawforth gives so much detail about particular rooms and salons, it would have been nice to see where they were located.

This book is not for everyone, but if you are already somewhat familiar with LOUIS XIV, XV, and XVI you will greatly enjoy it.

[Emma Deplores Goodreads Censorship · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is mostly a social history of Versailles in the reigns of Louis XIV through Louis XVI, and as such it’s pretty interesting (though the first couple of chapters, which focus more on the architectural history of the palace, were less so to me). It answers questions such as: how did people (mostly nobility) get jobs at court, and why did they want them? How did courtiers gain access to the king? How much privacy did the monarchs and their families actually have? Did these people even bathe? (Answer: rarely, and in many cases only for medicinal purposes.)

Although it’s interesting material at a relatively short length (254 pages of text followed by endnotes) and Spawforth’s writing is perfectly readable, I still moved through it a bit slowly and wasn’t as engaged as I would have liked. This might be because I recently read a similar book about the English court at the same time – which in many ways wasn’t as different as you might expect. However, I think the real reason is that while Spawforth conveys facts well enough, he isn’t much of a storyteller: there are a lot of recurring “characters” here, mostly royalty and a handful of nobles who wrote prolifically about their life at court, but little personality emerges and there’s not much sense of what their lives were like outside the context of the specific anecdotes illustrating the author’s points.

At any rate, interesting and accessible book, but not one I’d recommend you go out of your way to find unless you have a special interest in the subject matter.

[Sasha (bahareads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Spawforth does phenomenal work with Versailles. He combines so much in one small book. It can get confusing with all the Louis BUT if you have prior knowledge of the family line (and a grasp on what Roman numerals stand for) it should be much easier. Spawforth uses the palace to talk about the function of court life. He shows how court life influenced the building of Versailles and ALL the editions made to the palace and the palace grounds. Spawforth covers how nobles were trapped by tradition and basically homeless inside Versailles while also illustrating how later royalty would become trapped by the same tradition used to enforce their power.

Each chapter is around a central theme. However, I think because it spans so much time from Louis the 13th to Louis the 16th in each chapter, it seems like Spawforth is all over the case when that is not actually true. There is just so much information to cover that Spawforth has to get through it all in a calm manner. Each chapter has soooo many details, I would have liked just a few more illustrations to show what rooms he was talking about. The format might not be for everyone BUT I enjoyed it immensely. I want to see Versailles someday.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is arranged loosely by subject, each chapter recovering the 17th and 18th centuries with different facts. The stop, start, back up, move forward, repeat formula was giving me motion sickness. I prefer my history presented in strict chronological order, thankyouverymuch.

Also, surprisingly, there is nothing after the royals are forced to move out - despite the rather major events that Versailles hosted in the 20th century.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m going to Versailles for the first time in July, and this book was read in preparation even though it’s been sat on my bookshelf for about eighteen months. In many ways I feel like I’d have enjoyed this book more if I’d been to Versailles already; even though there are two maps at the start, it was confusing trying to work out what passages led to what rooms, where things were located in the palace etc. I had no sense of distance or space despite the maps.

The book also jumped around a lot. I get that as it’s about the palace, the author chose to look at different aspects of the palace thematically rather than taking a chronological approach, but I found it a little confusing since French history really isn’t my forte. Anyone with more background knowledge would probably find this perfectly fine, but Marie-Antoinette’s affair of the diamond necklace was mentioned at least three or four times in the book before we were ever given any further explanation as to what it was.

Overall it was a very well informed read, and I’ve certainly got stuff to look out for when we go in July, but perhaps a re-read afterwards is necessary to appreciate this book properly.

[Brie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
This book makes a nice companion to Versailles, the show. I was interested in reading more about this period, after watching, and found this book. I loved Spawforth's style; it's academically informal – informative in a conversational manner. It evokes the splendor and lushness of the subject matter and is not afraid to be a little humorous. It's the kind of writing style I like best in nonfiction.

This book stays true to its purpose – to tell the history of Versailles beginning mostly with Louis XIV's grand plans for expansion. It traces throughout the years everything that went on in the palace, from changes in the architecture to the lives of the people inside it. Topics such as privacy, entertainment, and women's activity at Versailles bring to life the palace's history as a home up until the Revolution in 1789. Considering that the palace has been known as museum for a long time now, I really enjoyed reading this book and finally putting puzzle pieces of history together that had been laying around my brain.

[Sidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

And now I need to visit again.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could have done with a lot more pictures. It’s definitely a biography of the palace, but I was hoping for diagrams and maps and floor plans and paintings/photos to go along with the myriad words.

[Emilija · Rating 4 out of 5]

2021 52 Book Challenge - 44) Includes a garden

This was really interesting because you read about Versailles in relation to the French monarchs, but Versailles itself is never really examined in much detail. This covered the architecture, the designs, the gardens and the etiquette at Versailles starting with Louis XIII and finishing with Louis XVI. There was only really a couple of pages dedicated to what happened with Versailles after the French Revolution, and I wish that there had been more detail. Having visited Versailles in person, I know that there is more detail that the author has missed.

[Stephen Sobey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically the author has written a book about Louis XIV's elaborate court and etiquette, but it fails to explore what happened to Versailles after 1789.

It's a fascinating insight into the daily life at the Palace; using some new sources, although Luynes and Saint-Simon feature heavily. The author rigorously details Court etiquette and even how the Palace's inhabitants ate.

But this biography essentially stops dead in 1789. When the palace ceased to be the King's seat and the epicentre of French Royal government, the author seems to lose all interest in what happened to the bricks and mortar that remained.

The period 1680-1789 is covered extensively in 10 beautifully detailed chapters.

Yet the two hundred years from 1789 to the present day is covered in one meagre chapter of less than 20 pages. And this was the period that called for a more detailed examination by an author writing in English. The changes to this palace over the course of the 19th and 20th centuries and the relationship the French people and their governments had with this former symbol of French absolutism, are given scant regard.

It seems particularly puzzling that Louis-Philippe's huge program of works are given such cursory examination. These works transformed the Palace, which been structurally untouched since 1789, into a museum. We are given no indication as to why they were undertaken, how much this programme cost or the drivers behind these decisions. There is no examination of the compromised feelings of both Louis XVIII and Charles X toward their childhood home. It was also very disappointing that there was no sense at all of how 20th century Republican governments have treated Versailles and the scale of investment made toward its upkeep.

[Laura C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read over the years numerous books about the last two hundred years of the French Bourbon Kings, here is a book about the place so much of it took place: the sprawling palace complex of Versailles. At the time Louis XIV began to enlarge the hunting retreat of his father, he was not quite on the top of the heap of European power and prestige. His new palace was meant to send an unmistakable message to everyone that la France was the center of politics, fashion, religion, and architecture, and that the reins of state were firmly held in his own remarkable person. Versailles was a giant dormitory for the nobility. But how did they live there? How did they keep warm (they didn’t), eat (at the common table – the privilege of a kitchen was rarely awarded), use the bathroom (apparently women did not wear underwear), keep clean (water was seen as dangerous), have affairs (there was no privacy to speak of, especially for royalty), give birth (if you were the Queen, in front of everyone so that there was no chance of switching babies), etc.? This giant publicity stunt became a liability within 3 generations as the language of culture moved on. When Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were removed from the grounds in 1780, even the Kings own bodyguards had deflected. The building built to reflect French superiority had become a symbol of its excesses. I found it fascinating.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spawforth's Versailles is more a biography of court life than a biography of the palace itself. The chapters do more to illustrate what life was like at Versailles than to show a biography of the palace itself. Therefore, the sub-title A Biography of a Palace is misleading.

Spawforth, however, does illustrate in somewhat entertaining detail what court life at the palace was like. He includes detail about etiquette, for instance, when men could put their hats back on, as well as daily life of the courtiers who lived there. He even includes a bit about the absence of toilets. It does help, however, to have a working general knowledge of French history. You don't need an in-depth knowledge, but enough to keep all the Louis straight.

What really saves the book from becoming a tedious list of stories is Spawforth's prose. Every sentence makes the book easy to read. Every sentence conveys Spawforth's love for the palace. (And the editor was nice enough to place the picture insert at the end of a chapter instead of in the middle of one).

[Rebecca Huston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another book that I was pleasantly surprised by. It's full of all sorts of trivia, all built around the history of the palace of Versailles, including the town and the people within. This one is a must read for anyone interest in Ancient Regime France.

For the longer review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_V...

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather saucy, with interesting details and accounts from those who inhabited the glamorous palace. From the time of the Sun King to Louis XVI, this 'biography' recalls interesting bits of history that took place under the guilt roofs of the Palace. The sheer gossip and juicy stories keep the pages turning. Read more

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Previously reading a shorter introductory book on the Palace of Versailles, I decided to go a step further and read an actual biography of the palace itself. Tony Spawforth covers the history of Versailles from its humble conceptions to its use for three generations of kings, all the way up to the present where it's both a tourist attraction and symbolic icon of French culture. Within the timeline of its use, Spawforth also goes into its function as a royal court and the politics behind many of the procedures that occur on a daily basis.

Spawforth really shows his works in gathering all the information he can get to make a biographical work in English for an icon that is so French. A nice little touch is also including little anecdotes from actual residents and visitors who were within its walls back in the day. While from the outside it looks like the dream mansion of the rich, but for those who live inside was it a place of cramped housing and extensive participation in many frivolities and gossip. I appreciate the author's efforts to make a well-rounded biography of Versailles, even diffusing some of the myths behind the palace. Each chapter focuses on a certain aspect of Versailles, both in the cultural and architectural sense. However, because he does go back and forth between timelines within the chapters, it can feel confusing to keep pace. Additionally, much of the tone is rather dry, as expected since this is a professional biographical work, but if you are into Versailles as much as I do, it is well worth a read to understand its history.

To note, at the time of its publication, Tony Spawforth participated in a three-part documentary on the Palace of Versailles, all episodes can be found on both YouTube and Tubi, where much of what he writes in here and very much present in the documentary. More so, in the sections where he is granted the spotlight. So if you end up not feeling motivation to read this book yet, give that documentary a try and maybe you'll find some more interesting tidbits here.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would have been lovely accompanied by photos and prints that showcased all the granular details of the palace discussed here; I could see it being a beautiful collector's coffee table book. Without many visuals, though, readers have little to help orient themselves. There is very little narrative to speak of, so the text jumps around from topic to topic without much connective tissue (religion at Versailles! child care at Versailles! how water fountains worked at Versailles!). It has a ton of information and truly impressive research that will only appeal to people with a strong foundation in French history. I've read similar books about equally niche topics in revolutionary France that I adored, so I should have been the target audience but found my eyes just glazing over too many times. Still, it's an impressive array of knowledge that deepened my understanding of court life. The array of sources Spawforth draws from gives you a view of the palace and its inhabitants from every conceivable angle, but I found myself wishing for a stronger structure to carry me through.

[Jess Sabo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was engaging and informative. I could definitely picture Versailles and its inhabitants, and he has researched many structures within the castle that have since been demolished (such as the private quarters Marie Antoinette built in the attics). The organization of the book was a little challenging for me: he divided the chapters into topics, such as "mistresses" or "religion in the palace," and then he went through all three Louis (14, 15, & 16) in each chapter. That made it a little difficult for me to formulate a full picture of any one era. The author also switched back and forth BETWEEN different Louis: I often had to backtrack and work to figure out who I was reading about in any given paragraph. I enjoyed the book much more after I started picturing myself sitting next to the author while he spun yarns from memory about all of his studies. I appreciate his sharing his passion for the subject and great storytelling with me.

[Jon Huegli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having visited Versailles a number of times, I anticipated the book with high expectations, and they were more than fulfilled. The author does fulfill the title's language of a biography. He has done his research about its various architects and its inhabitants and provides a detailed account of life in the place from beginning to end. It would have been very helpful to see interior drawings of the place as it evolved over time so that the reader had a context for his detailed explanations. This would help the visitor to the chateau and grounds to recognize how different the place is today from what it was in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and why so little of it is open.

[Jeff Koslowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

It bounces around a lot. Sometimes it's thematic sometimes it's linear, mostly it's just a tough read. It is fine if you are looking at it from a scholarly standpoint but if this is casual reading you're going to put more thought into it than you may have been ready for. It would also be very helpful if you visited the location fairly recently to give you a better sense of where some of the rooms are and how they are displayed. It had been almost ten years since I visited and even that wasn't as helpful.

This is not a casual read. Be ready for a lot of names that appear, disappear, and reappear later.

[sminismoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed, yet highly readable account of the palace and how it was used. We learn of the messy additions and renovations, the constant reshuffling of courtier's lodgings, and the desperate attempts of the latter royals to carve out private niches in the very public palace. The ruinous cost of running the palace opera, the education of the palace pages and the tension between the Versailles villagers and the court are all documented. This is for any lover of Versailles or domestic history in general. A well researched and well written book.

[Sevim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A richly researched account of the Palace of Versailles, written with thorough detail and vivid storytelling. Covering the evolution of the palace from Louis XIV to the French Revolution, it portrays the palace as both a political stage and a cultural symbol of art and grandeur.

The palace functioned as a home and a seat of government, displaying its grandeur and excess. The architectural aspect of the palace is overshadowed by the Vivid portrayal of rituals, intrigues, and personalities of the French court.

[Eva Stachniak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderful biography of Versailles was one of my most valuable sources for historical details when I was writing my novel, The School of Mirrors. It gave me a sense of how the palace changed over time, how it was used and transformed, suggested irresistible characters, provided fodder for palace gossip.
A wonderful resource for anyone interested in Versailles and a great read.

[Maranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on French history by using the perspective of the palace. All the events discussed are linked to the palace in some way. Definitely an I intriguing read for French history lovers.

[Lori Puma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm writing a novel set at Versailles. I took pages and pages of notes and loved all the details about the social structure and day-to-day life at the palace. Many of the anecdotes shared have been useful inspiration.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to read at times-but my goal was to gain some knowledge on the history on Versailles before our trip. I definitely learned some history!

[Dayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are planning to stay awhile in Paris, read this book, and order a month long pass. You won't be sorry.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite. As close to a real-life fairytale as we like to get. Highly recommended.

[kvanwoert · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was there like a month ago!

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this book through Ingrid Mida's web page: FASHION IS MY MUSE. She travels extensively and writes wonderfully so this book is a fairly exciting read. Spawforth is a writer that just allows one more picture into the life of the Bourbon Kings and Queens influence on Paris. A Capet not a Cadet...
Though I was in France in 1979, I chose not to take the usual too busy tourist jaunt, and now know that was a mistake.
Versailles' architecture, social behaviors and royal gossip was part of the reason I chose to finish this book. A court gossiper Colbert said that Louis XIV transformed the former hunting lodge into a "architecture" nightmare. Spawforth wrote that Colbert was seen as a small man with a big head.
The tales of Jeanne du Barry, Marie Antoinette's battle with this beautiful woman who outdistanced her in fame for a time were well written. A few insights that not all authors pick out to write on French pre and post revolution. The Versailles Palace expanded, was demolished for royal court members, and built even more to hold royals, household staff and the Kings' systems of government, place art, theater, architecture, costume as an added bonus to this book.
Pictorial histories on Versailles are good, but details into its secrets and haunts make this Spaworth book added reading. What else is there that lies hidden in the ghost corners of this death trap for Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette?