Grandeur of the imperial ride – ‘The Gallery of Coaches’, Château de Versailles, Paris
Dear readers, how many of you have been watching the TV series ‘Versailles’? Frankly I have never watch a single episode but for some reason, I have constantly hearing some comments about how good the actor George Blagden is who starred as the Sun King: charming, youthful and authoritative, which he depicted the story of the King beautifully, reflecting the glorious imperial period of Ancien Régime, the splendor of the French monarchy lifestyle (alongside with some conflicts and saga too). Despite I have not watch that show yet (even the final season is showing now, as far as I know), there’s one thing for sure that Château de Versailles is a magnificent estate which one can revisit the heydays of the French imperial history and its bygone splendor, that reminds me of my last visit and finally see the Grand and Petit Trianon (where Queen Marie-Antoinette once lived and furnished that residence) as well as her estate which nearby, the palaces are speechlessly spectacular that one should visit once in their lifetime. Among all these spectacular palaces, there’s one of the hidden gem that one should not be missed, which is, ‘The Gallery of Coaches’.
Located in the Great Stables of the Palace, and, reopened since mid 2016 now as a museum, The Gallery of Coaches showcases an exceptional collection of carriages which once used by the imperial family, as one of the largest collection of historic carriages in Europe, each single one carries not only the majestic story and lifestyle, but also the magnificent French artistry and know-how, through each of the details from the carriage, no matter it’s the splendid ornament of the roof, or the byzantine and luxurious interior upholstery and decorative, the history of these carriages has become a story-teller themselves about the occasion of all these royalty travelled. Through the chronological display and resourceful information inside the museum, which enables each visitors to travel back in time along with these spectacular ancient vehicles, in a way to marvel the delicate and meticulous French craftsmanship by the artisans and engineers who produced them in the past, also, expressing one’s appreciation over the effort and persistence of the preservation work by the organization, so that giving us an opportunity to revisit these valuable royal treasures without letting them slipped away as time passes by.
Some of the noteworthy coaches, including the one that used by Charles X for his coronation, and the christening of the Duke of Bordeaux, also, the ‘La Brillante’ which was used for the marriage of Napoleon I. The interior of these spectacular coaches can now be explored in 360-degree through the 3D technology inside the museum, offering one an unique and memorable experience to see the details of these carriages.
Just in case you are about to visit the palace, enjoy your ride, gentlemen.
Image courtesy of Château de Versailles, Paris
http://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/royal-stables/gallery-coaches#in-the-heart-of-the-great-stables