The beginnings of the Palace of Versailles were built in the year 1631, with the basics of the palace that we are able to see today having been laid out. Before then the land that the palace stood on were used as hunting grounds by Louis XIII, who first visited in 1607, a few years before he was crowned king. Various buildings were built on this land over the years before it finally became the final palace. Hunting lodges, a chateau, and it was Louis XIV who really began to build it up, being the head architect for it himself. Throughout his entire life major construction was made on the palace, but most importantly he moved the political power of France to this location, and in 1682 it became the home of the French court. Even when King Louis the XIV died the palace was not completed with what we are able to see today, but it was everything he did that turned this hunting lodge to a place suited for royalty, and laid the groundwork for what it would become.
King Louis XV did not live in Versailles for long periods of time, however King Louis XVI did, and truly made the place home for him, but we know that this story does not end happy for him, thanks to the French Revolution. Both King Louis and his wife were killed, ending the line of royalty that inhabited this palace. The art and furniture within the palace was removed, but unlike many things associated with royalty in this time the palace was not looked down upon, an in fact remained an attraction in France. When royalty did return to Paris, in this case Napoleon declaring himself emperor, he did not reside in Versailles. Versailles has a rich history, and while not home of royalty today, it still serves as a piece of history.