All the Gold that's fit to Bling
4 Comments Published by Cedric Benetti on Friday, February 20, 2009 at 2/20/2009 05:07:00 PM.
Upon approaching the Palace of Versailles, a massive glitzy blingy thing stings into your eyes like the sun shining out of someone's butt: The royal golden gates have finally been replaced after being torn down during the French Revolution over 200 years ago.
Now they sparkle again under 100,000 gold leaves that have been crafted into the majestic entrance to the cour d'honneur. This gate is the centrepiece of a secure double enclosure separating the cour d'honneur from the royal courtyard.
Now they sparkle again under 100,000 gold leaves that have been crafted into the majestic entrance to the cour d'honneur. This gate is the centrepiece of a secure double enclosure separating the cour d'honneur from the royal courtyard.
Private donors contributed about four million Euros to rebuild the 15-ton work, and a myriad of historians and craftsmen – sculptors, gilders, wrought iron craftsmen and ornament makers – were drafted in to ensure an exact replica of the original built by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in the 1680s.
Though this construction was highly criticized by the french media (the French really aren't big fans of "historic replicas") the gate now serves as a real identity to the entrance of the palace. A freshly designed wooden structure to the left of it serves as visitors entrance center and ensures the tourists don't get lost while searching for the right entrance way to go oggle at the king's old clothes.
Though this construction was highly criticized by the french media (the French really aren't big fans of "historic replicas") the gate now serves as a real identity to the entrance of the palace. A freshly designed wooden structure to the left of it serves as visitors entrance center and ensures the tourists don't get lost while searching for the right entrance way to go oggle at the king's old clothes.
Labels: Architecture shot, paris history, VINTAGE
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Bourjour! Cedric,
Now, that is a lot of "Gold" ..."Wow!"
and the "pix" are very nice as
usual!
Merci! Beaucoup!
DarkCityDame ;-)
Wow, I didn't know they were working on adding them back. I will see them in May, thanks for the preview!
wow. lovely gate. should see them
Bonjour.