VERSAILLES' DIRTY SECRETS - Toute L'Histoire

Toute l'Histoire2 minutes read

Tourists visiting the Palace of Versailles experience royal intimacy but also discover rumors of court members relieving themselves in stairwells, reflecting different cleanliness standards of the era with perfumes masking odors and rare bathing practices. Louis XIV, who frequented spas and bathed more than once in his lifetime, lived in a time where bathrooms were lacking, and hygiene differed significantly from modern standards.

Insights

  • Despite the allure of royal intimacy, tourists visiting the Palace of Versailles are confronted with the stark reality of historical hygiene practices, such as the absence of bathrooms and infrequent bathing, shedding light on the stark differences in cleanliness standards between past eras and contemporary times.
  • Louis XIV's personal hygiene habits, including regular spa visits and occasional bathing, offer a glimpse into the privileged lifestyle of the monarchy, contrasting with the prevalent lack of hygiene awareness among court members who resorted to unconventional methods like relieving themselves in stairwells, underscoring the historical context of cleanliness at the palace.

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  • What is the Palace of Versailles known for?

    Opulent royal residence

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Summary

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Palace of Versailles: Royal Intimacy and Filth

  • Tourists from Germany, Britain, France, and Japan visit the Palace of Versailles to experience royal intimacy but also discover the alleged filth behind the scenes, with rumors of court members relieving themselves in stairwells. Cleanliness standards were different then, with perfumes masking odors, and bathing was rare, although Louis XIV did frequent spas and bathe more than once in his lifetime. The palace lacked bathrooms, and hygiene as we know it today was not a common concept during that era.
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