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This royal chateau was originally designed as a small hunting lodge for Louis 13th in 1624 , and only when his son succeeded to the throne was it expanded into a Royal Palace . Over a period of 46 years , and four building campaigns beginning in 1664 , architect Louis Le Vau , landscape architect André Le Nôtre , and painter-decorator Charles Lebrun renovated and transformed Versailles .

Louis 14th hoped to gain greater control of the nobility by moving the court away from Paris and closer to his own influence , and chose the site at Versailles 10 miles south-west of the capital , partly for its abundant game for hunting purposes .

The Hall of Mirrors is particularly striking feature within a fine example of Baroque architecture that remains a symbol of the absolute monarchy that was nearing its end .

44 November 2014