Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Chapels of Versailles

Image by Jean-Baptiste N. from Pixabay

Top 10 Outstanding Facts about Chapels of Versailles

Every chateau must have its own chapel. Otherwise, where would daily mass and other religious ceremonies such as weddings and baptisms be held at?  In Versailles, many other chapels existed in different areas of the palace during different periods before the current one was constructed.

The Chapel Royal as is seen today at the palace of Versailles is the 5^th of its kind at the palace and was built from 1699 to 1710. This was at the tail end of King Louis XIV’s 72 years of rule.

It is one of the best-preserved parts of the palace from the time of Louis XIV and showcases the decorations of the 18th century’s most illustrious artists.

Above the altar, around the organ by Clicquot decorated with a fine relief of King David, played by great masters like François Couperin, the Chapel’s music, famous all over Europe, sung motets every day during all religious services.

Today Handel’s Dixit Dominus or Messiah, Bach’s Oratorios, Magnificat, Cantatas or Passions, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater or Charpentier’s Te Deum ring out in this majestic architecture. Below is a list of the top 10 outstanding facts about chapels of Versailles.

1. Chapels of Versailles witnessed Marie Antoinette’s Wedding

Marie Antoinette. Potrait by Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun from Wikimedia

This exceptional palatine chapel was used for a wide range of religious ceremonies, including most notably, the marriage of Archduchess Marie-Antoinette with the future Louis XVI.

Other notable weddings at the Chapel include the wedding of Louis III, prince of Conde and Louise Francoise de Bourbon the legitimized daughter of Louis XIV and his Mistress Madame de Montespan in 1685.

The late 1700s saw the weddings of the then-future King Louis XVI of France and Maria Antonia of Austria. There was also the nuptials of King Louis XVIII of France, brother of Louis XVI and Maria Giuseppina of Savoy. Unfortunately, she died before her husband became King.

2. Chapels of Versailles was the last Building commissioned by Louis XIV

image Andrea Anastasakis from Wikimedia

The building’s overall design, large glass windows and buttresses were inspired by Gothic architecture. The Chapel was dedicated to Saint Louis, the patron saint of the king and an ancestor of the royal house, and included references to the Sainte-Chapelle of Paris which he had founded.

Although the interior elevation with its layout on two floors follows the usual format for Palatine chapels, its architecture with its imposing colonnade on the first floor was clearly inspired by Antiquity.

The chapel was completed in 1710 but Louis XIV never marvelled at the superb decoration, as he died in 1715. Nonetheless, a number of historic events took place in the chapel.

3.  The Fifth Chapel was ‘the One’

Image by Alexandria from Pixabay

A total of 5 chapels were constructed during the construction and expansion periods of the palace. Deeming all other chapels insufficient, Louis XIV built a huge baroque chapel to serve his needs.

In 1687, Louis XIV asked the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart to build a new chapel after living in the palace for five years. He asked that it be situated to the north of the central dwelling of Versailles. Construction was completed in 1710.

The chapels played a very important role in the daily life at the palace up until the French Revolution. This means that ever since Louis VIII turned his hunting lodge into a castle, a chapel was constructed as well.

The reigning monarch only came for major religious festivals where he received communion, for ceremonies of the Order of Saint-Esprit and for the baptisms and weddings of the royal children celebrated from 1710 to 1789.

4.  Chapel of Versailles said the King’s  Mass every day 

Image by adam Parelle from Wikimedia

At 10:00 am every day. The king’s mass was said in the chapel and it was mandatory for the whole court to attend. King Louis XIV and his family sat at the nave of the chapel and the ladies of the court at the side tribunes. Seated below were the other members of the court.

Moreover, Te Deums are short religious services of blessing or thanks. Were sung to celebrate military victories and the births of children. Ceremonies of the Order of the Holy spirit, a French order of chivalry founded by King Henri III in 1578 and baptisms and weddings of princes and princesses were held in the chapel.

5.  The Final Chapel at Versailles was the subject of  Ridicule

Image by Toucanwing from Wikimedia

The palace of Versailles is characterized by horizontality, just about everywhere. This makes the fifth baroque chapel a curiosity as it sticks out from the rooftop of the palace.

The exact words used by Louis de Rouvroy, Duc de Saint-Simon, were: Even the chapel of Versailles is beautiful, its wrongfully proportioned design makes it resemble hell from above and it appears it wants to crush the castle.

Though the Royal Chapel disrupts the Palace’s horizontal line, it remains the most accomplished expression of the grand royal style sought by Louis XIV. It was created by King’s Architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart, who was also responsible for the other major project at the end of the Sun King’s reign such as the Hall of Mirrors.

6.  Chapels of Versailles was the Largest Construction Project of its time

Image by Hands off my tags! Michael Gaida from Pixabay

The Versailles Palace chapel was one of the largest construction projects of its time and certainly the most ambitious. The project required more than two million French Livres (an old French monetary unit), more than half of which were dedicated to its absolutely stunning decoration.

The ground is covered in a sumptuous flooring of polychrome marble. More than 110 sculptors worked to decorate the space and most of the time completed the paintings that now adorn the walls and ceiling.

7. 5 Kings of France were Baptised at Chapels of Versailles

The king never descended into the nave except during religious celebrations when he took communion, ceremonies of the Order of the Holy Spirit and the baptisms and weddings of the Princes and Princesses of the Realm which were held there from 1710 to 1789.

Among the baptisms held at the Chapels of Versailles were those of five future kings of France: Louis XV, Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and Louis-Phillippe I. Furthermore, two future titular Kings of France Louis- Charles, Dauphin of France and Louis Antoine, duke of Angouleme were also baptized here.

Additionally, Filipe V the first bourbon King of Spain, born Philippe Duke of Anjou was baptized at the Chapel royal. He was the second son and heir of Louis XIV who predeceased his father. Among the funerals held at the chapel were those of Louis XIV and Louis XV.

8.  The Chapel of Versailles is Palace of Versaille’s Tallest Building

Image by Patrick Nouhailler from Wikimedia

As a symbol of divine order at Versailles, the Royal Chapel is several dozen metres higher than the surrounding buildings. From the outside, the royal chapel’s very high roof sets it apart from the other buildings, as it is surrounded by many sculptures. It is the palace’s highest structure, culminating at 144 feet.

The Royal Chapel stands out from the rest of the palace in its height and the fact that it disrupts the otherwise symmetrical design.

From the inside, the chapel is divided into two levels, as was the case for palatine chapels, meaning the chapels which formed part of palaces. The king and his family attended mass from the tribune, on the upper level. The magnificent central colonnade is imposing and was inspired by antiquity.

9.  The Music of the Chapel

Image by James Smith from Pixabay

Music was a part of daily life for the courtiers at Versailles – but the first things that come to mind are Lully, or the magnificent parties and open-air operas, rather than the Palace’s Royal Chapel. In fact, the Royal Chapel was a key venue for events in the everyday life of the French Court, while also serving as an impressive incubator of baroque music.

This 350-year-old holy place is also the oldest and most illustrious of the French monarchy’s musical institutions.

The music of the Chapel, which was renowned throughout Europe, rang out with motets every day throughout the service, resonating from above the altar and around the organ designed by Clicquot. The instrument is decorated with a beautiful depiction of King David in relief and has been played by great musicians such as  François Couperin.

10.  The Chapel of Versailles has a Rich Art History

The Gothic structure, designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, features large glass windows, buttresses, and a vaulted ceiling depicting scenes of the Holy Trinity. Enter the confines of the royal chapel at the Palace of Versailles and take in the paintings that now adorn the walls and ceiling.

The vaulted ceiling, which Hardouin-Mansart designed without transverse ribs to create a unified surface, is dedicated to the Holy Trinity: in the centre is God the Father in his Glory by Antoine Coypel, in the apse is The Resurrection by Charles de La Fosse, and above the Royal tribune is The Descent of the Holy Ghost by Jean Jouvenet.