Versailles and the French Revolution 

‘John Claudius Loudon: How were the gardens at Versailles affected?’
‘Thomas Blaikie: They were in poor condition by the time Louis the Fourteenth died in 1715. When I first saw them, about 60 years later, they were worse. Now, they are even worse. Many of the trees Le Nôtre planted have been cut down. The fountains have no water and the water basins are muddy puddles. The gardens were abandoned when Louis and Marie-Antoinette were arrested at Versailles. The auction of their possessions lasted a year.’ This is a quote from The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan, Tom Turner (Kindle, 2024). 

The Fall of Versailles: Revolution's Impact on the Royal Gardens

Versailles, before the Revolution, was a monument to royal extravagance. Lush gardens, extravagant apartments, and opulent decorations showcased the wealth and power of the monarchy. Despite its outward grandeur, the estate was in decline. Years of lavish spending had left the treasury drained. There were maintenance issues and hidden decay behind the facade. The palace's grandeur made it a focal point for revolutionary sentiment, fueling resentment towards the king's detached lifestyle.

On October 5th, 1789, a revolutionary mob stormed Versailles, forcing the royal family to flee to Paris. The palace suffered damage from looting and vandalism, with valuable objects stolen or destroyed. It was converted to public use, initially as a museum, then for government offices and schools. It became a symbol of the revolution's ideals.

The Decline of Versailles: A Reflection of a Changing France

The decline of Versailles during the French Revolution mirrored the broader collapse of the monarchy. Once a symbol of absolute power and royal extravagance, the palace's deterioration became a potent symbol of the old regime's failings. As revolutionaries stormed the palace, looting and neglect took their toll on its once-pristine gardens and grand halls. The opulent fountains that once flowed freely became dry, and the meticulously maintained groves turned into overgrown wildernesses. Versailles, once the heart of French culture and politics, was repurposed to serve the new Republic, further cementing its place in history as a testament to the revolution's sweeping changes. The transformation of Versailles from a royal playground to a public institution underscored the profound social and political shifts that the Revolution brought about, leaving an indelible mark on the heritage of France.

See also: 

Gardenvisit.com Garden Finder entry on Versailles

Marie-Louise Gothein on Versailles