The Grand Carriage Museum at the Palace of Versailles: Early Luxury Transportation

Long before you could treat yourself with a luxury car rental or a day at the spa, French royalty were pampered in style at the Palace of Versailles.  The French royal palace, known simply as “Versailles,” was the opulent home of French kings Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI.  It was also the home of famed French queen Marie Antoinette.

(Image of Versailles carriage created by Leo-Seta and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Only. See more of Leo-Seta’s photos in his Flickr photostream.)

Versailles was the political power capital from 1682 until the French Revolution in 1789, and its grand luxury was part of the downfall of the French monarchy.  As the French people were trying to figure out where their next meal was coming from, the French royalty were devoting an entire elaborate room to their dogs.

The dogs weren’t the only ones who enjoyed a life of luxury at Versailles.  There were many luxurious chambers in the palace.  For instance, one room, called the “Hall of Mirrors,” is composed of 17 huge arched mirrors.  At the time of its construction, mirrors were one of the most expensive objects someone could possess.

And sumptuous living quarters were not the only luxury at Versailles.  French royalty were also transported in ornate carriages and coaches.  If they were alive today, the French monarchs might drive a Bentley or other exotic vehicle, but before the automobile, the carriage was luxury transportation.

The Grand Carriage Museum at Versailles includes many examples of ornate luxury transportation, including carriages used during the wedding of Napoleon.  Today’s wedding transportation usually involves renting a limo or driving an exotic vehicle.  Napoleon’s wedding transportation consisted of seven elaborately-painted ceremonial coaches.

Also at the Grand Carriage Museum at Versailles are six luxurious royal sleighs.  These sleighs were used during the winter months at Versailles when the royal family used them to race across the frozen grounds and along the Grand Canal.

Seeing the Palace at Versailles means a trip to France, but it’s possible to explore the history of transportation right here in Dallas.  Classic car rental or a trip to the DFW Elite Toy Museum can offer visitors a chance to see experience early automotive transportation.

The toy museum is devoted to displaying automotive toys, rather than carriages, but the experience is almost as exciting as a trip to Versailles.  It’s the perfect Dallas vacation activity for the whole family, and you don’t need to go to France to experience it!

Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer living in the Twin Cities. Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.