Why did the Palace of Versailles smell?

Not wanting to avoid an opportunity to show off though, even the chamber pots at Versailles were cast in silver. It's a fancy touch, yet the distinct lack of toilet facilities did mean that with a full house of guests and staff, it often got a little smelly.



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Following the death of Louis XIV in September 1715, the court abandoned Versailles for Vincennes and transplanted itself briefly to Paris the following December. Versailles entered a long period of neglect.

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While it smells fine now, hygiene practices (or the lack thereof) in France during Louis XIII's reign meant that the palace smelled like urine, fecal matter, and more. Some claim that a lack of toilets in the palace even led some visitors to relieve themselves behind curtains and pillars.

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Beds used to be short because people didn't use to sleep lying down because old superstitions considered it to be the position of the dead. So they slept in half sitting position.

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After the departure of the royal family Even though the sovereign and the court were no longer in residence, the Palace was not left to go to ruin. On the contrary, and as always during the royal family's absences, the opportunity was taken to carry out repairs.

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Everywhere you go, you're reminded of the foul stench that emanates from the walls, from the cesspits, and even from the gardens. No place is safe. Although today we think of Versailles as an architectural masterpiece, to the people living there, it was like being in a smelly nightmare.

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Mesdames 1727-1800 The Mesdames lived at Versailles over a period of many years before fleeing during the French Revolution. The daughters of Louis XV all bore the honorific title of 'Madame'. There were eight princesses, not all of whom were raised at Versailles because their education was considered too expensive.

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Rooms with toilets, cesspools, and drainage systems only started to become common in the 19th century. At the Palace of Versailles, people would conduct their business in the corridors or in the gardens. In 1715, it was decreed that once a week the feces would be collected from the corridors.

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Rates at Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle start at $2,077 per night and include a dedicated butler, daily tours of the Château de Versailles, breakfast, and afternoon tea. This story was originally published on October 19, 2019, and was updated on June 2, 2021 to include current information.

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In its heyday, life at Versailles was a mix of power politics, hierarchy, etiquette and fashion. Courtiers lived in their own bubble of luxury and were focused on pleasing the king and following his rules. Louis XIV's social structure and etiquette practices were both the doing and undoing of Versailles.

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Palace of Versailles wedding cost will exceed 100 000 euro with optimal budgets starting at 200 000 euro. The venue rent itself varies from 18 000 euro for the Crusades Rooms to 70 000 euro for the Gallery of Battles or Orangerie.

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Access to the Palace and the estate of Trianon is free for visitors under 18 (or under 26 residing in the EU).

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