Versailles was originally the site of a hunting lodge built in 1624 by Louis XIII. After he died, his son, Louis XIV, ordered that a palace be constructed on the same site. Work began in 1661 under the direction of Louis Le Vau, a French architect. The entire palace was built around the hunting lodge. The palace took 36,000 men more than 40 years to complete. It was occupied by three successive kings before the French Revolution. Over 1,000 nobles were in residence here during the reign of Louis XIV. ... (more)