Versailles was the royal palace of King Louis XIV and the seat of French political power in the 17th and 18th centuries. With thousands of nobles, servants, and visitors packed into the palace and its grounds, Versailles would have been a riot for the senses. Here we dive into what Versailles would have smelled like in its heyday.
The Royal Stables
The royal stables at Versailles housed hundreds of horses at any given time. With no modern sanitation, the smell of horse manure would have been overpowering. Add in the smells of sweaty stablehands and leather saddles, and the stables would not have been a pleasant place to linger.
The Kitchens
The kitchens at Versailles had to feed thousands of people each day. Meat roasted over open fires, vegetables boiled in cauldrons, and campfires for the kitchen workers would have made the kitchens a smelly, smoky place. Spilled food and dirty dishes left to pile up would have added to the less pleasant odors.
The Hall of Mirrors
This grand hall was the center of court life. Filled with finely dressed nobles in heavy perfumes and powders, it would have smelled strongly of human sweat, floral scents, and hair powder. Hundreds of burning candles added a smokey undertone.
The King’s Bedchamber
Being allowed into the king’s bedchamber was a high honor. However, with its tapestries and heavy curtains shut tight, combined with the king’s morning toilette, it would have smelled rather stale and musky. The smell of the king’s perfume and powders would have dominated.
The Latrines
With thousands of people living at Versailles before modern plumbing, the latrines would have been foul-smelling places. The noxious stench of human waste with no adequate ventilation would have been overpowering.
The Orangerie
The Orangerie at Versailles housed orange, lemon, and pomegranate trees. Walking through this sun-filled greenhouse, the citrus scents would have provided a fresh, clean respite from other more unpleasant smells.
The Gardens
The expansive gardens of Versailles were manicured masterpieces. But with no trash collection, decaying garden clippings and dirt walkways, they would have smelled earthy, with undertones of mud and mown grass.
The Grand Canal
Stagnant, algae-filled water with poor circulation means the Grand Canal would have often smelled musty and muddy. Nearby horses and boating parties added a mix of sweat and human odors.
The Petite Trianon
This private retreat built for Louis XV smelled of the lavender and roses grown on site. As a smaller residence, it lacked the overpowering stench of the main palace grounds.
Conclusion
Versailles would have been a truly assault on the senses. Pleasant smells like citrus trees or fresh flowers would have been offset by foul odors of waste, sweat, and dirt. The combination of perfumes and candle smoke could also have been overpowering. While beautiful and opulent, Versailles would have been far from a walk in the park for the nose!