![The approach to the palace, thronged with tourists.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798150.vcQdKUCm.jpg) The approach to the palace, thronged with tourists. |
![Souvenir vendors hang out outside the palace to prey on unsuspecting tourists.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798182.GNmPxVSZ.jpg) Souvenir vendors hang out outside the palace to prey on unsuspecting tourists. |
![The palace is currently undergoing a lot of renovation and construction (for a new visitor's entrance).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798160.sZ8PGctu.jpg) The palace is currently undergoing a lot of renovation and construction (for a new visitor's entrance). |
![The exterior of the royal chapel and a view of the motto placed on the palace by Napoleon.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798153.qDLeg1Cs.jpg) The exterior of the royal chapel and a view of the motto placed on the palace by Napoleon. |
![A close-up of the chapel's exterior.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798155.ddujtXGj.jpg) A close-up of the chapel's exterior. |
![One of the rooms as you enter has a little scale model of the palace and grounds.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798176.cssaVod1.jpg) One of the rooms as you enter has a little scale model of the palace and grounds. |
![A close-up of the model.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798177.4CfLA5pM.jpg) A close-up of the model. |
![The Hercules Room, named after the painting on the ceiling (which I couldn't get a good shot of, sorry).](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798167.YpAXylHz.jpg) The Hercules Room, named after the painting on the ceiling (which I couldn't get a good shot of, sorry). |
![The interior of the royal chapel, where the King heard mass every day.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798156.6iUDQOeY.jpg) The interior of the royal chapel, where the King heard mass every day. |
![The chapel's ceiling.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798835.Ojrg99jF.jpg) The chapel's ceiling. |
![Louis XIV, dressed as a Roman soldier.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798169.X6zJMZ0f.jpg) Louis XIV, dressed as a Roman soldier. |
![The famous bust of Louis XIV by Bernini.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798168.bwZuMeAZ.jpg) The famous bust of Louis XIV by Bernini. |
![The king never actually slept here - this bed was just for show.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798162.TxxZN6Ng.jpg) The king never actually slept here - this bed was just for show. |
![A monarchy-celebrating clock that survived the Revolution, via its status as a scientific instrument.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798159.xF0JM4fe.jpg) A monarchy-celebrating clock that survived the Revolution, via its status as a "scientific instrument." |
![A door into another room - I can't remember where exactly this was but I liked the decoration.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798161.w3fcNOuv.jpg) A door into another room - I can't remember where exactly this was but I liked the decoration. |
![Hyacinthe Rigaud's famous portrait of Louis XIV.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798181.DruJdO25.jpg) Hyacinthe Rigaud's famous portrait of Louis XIV. |
![The Galerie des Glaces (hall of mirrors). The ceiling is a painted resume of the first 21 years of Louis XIV's reign.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798170.X6SAxFmt.jpg) The Galerie des Glaces (hall of mirrors). The ceiling is a painted resume of the first 21 years of Louis XIV's reign. |
![The window side of the Galerie.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798171.moWcla8W.jpg) The window side of the Galerie. |
![And the mirror side of the Galerie. At the time it was built, glass mirrors were an incredible luxury.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798175.5L7K5x9z.jpg) And the mirror side of the Galerie. At the time it was built, glass mirrors were an incredible luxury. |
![The queen's bed, in which Marie Antoinette (and others) did actually sleep.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798179.twsovIby.jpg) The queen's bed, in which Marie Antoinette (and others) did actually sleep. |
![The canopy of the queen's bed.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798180.yB3nGBUT.jpg) The canopy of the queen's bed. |
![The Coronation Room, dedicated to Napoleon even though he never actually lived here.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798178.4spYCFpJ.jpg) The Coronation Room, dedicated to Napoleon even though he never actually lived here. |
![An elaborate carving on the ceiling.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798152.y8lJWuEA.jpg) An elaborate carving on the ceiling. |
![And another.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798151.EIwdpQPj.jpg) And another. |
![A view of the gardens, from a palace window.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798163.FD6fmlNI.jpg) A view of the gardens, from a palace window. |
![Looking out towards the Grand Canal.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798164.pljJFzCF.jpg) Looking out towards the Grand Canal. |
![Most of the gardens close to the palace were designed to be viewed from above, like this.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798165.FWtgHoIC.jpg) Most of the gardens close to the palace were designed to be viewed from above, like this. |
![A ground view of the elaborate knot gardens.](https://a4.pbase.com/g4/67/439967/3/62798166.stGYNkQx.jpg) A ground view of the elaborate knot gardens. |