I've been thinking about this place a lot recently.
What first started off my revival of interest in the grand pleasure palace of Louis XIV was the TV drama of the same name. Versailles is an absolutely stunning piece of work - visually, it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in tv drama. If only for the costumes and the sets alone, I strongly urge you to check it out. Far, far superior to The Tudors and The Borgias - and Lord knows it's in a totally different league to the disappointing Reign...590Please respect copyright.PENANApRfsBa2l0s
Anyway, I'm off topic.590Please respect copyright.PENANAsRcb60ihu4
Versailles has since inspired me to research more about Louis' court - in particular his brother, Philippe d'Orleans. I can see him featuring in some writing soon, as I believe he is a far more complex and interesting man than his brother the Sun King.590Please respect copyright.PENANAUEGEHrmvx8
I can only imagine having to live next to his "god given" brother, watching his mother actively and overtly pursue her blantant favouritism for her first born son and standing by whilst the same brother had an affair with his wife.590Please respect copyright.PENANAt2Y8QeoeYL
I imagine the dynamic between the two brothers was strained at best, and I can only imagine the sadness Philippe must have oftentimes felt, especially as a child.590Please respect copyright.PENANA4HgnWnr3YF
And imagine: Versailles as the backdrop to the epic drama of Louis XIV! The mistresses, the secret marriages, the affairs and the scandal... all contained within this beautiful, gilded palace.590Please respect copyright.PENANAUs5m4jW0BS
I already have an idea for a story forming, but it might be a while until it's ready to be written. I'm thinking intrigue, drama, rivalry and court gossip, all set inside Versailles' mirrored hallways... A story of sibling rivalry at it's zenith, where Philippe is the moon behind the Sun King, waiting and watching, always paling in comparison to his elder brother.590Please respect copyright.PENANAJ6ALKy63hV
Can you even imagine a world where when you, a mere child, fall sick, your mother flees to the countryside, taking your brother safely away from you so he won't contract your illness? And when the same brother falls ill himself, she risks her own health and spends days and nights at his bedside, praying fervently for him to recover? Imagine the whole country rejoicing that he had regained his health...590Please respect copyright.PENANAV2pPaumn32
Imagine the effects this would have on a child, and then imagine a lifetime of such instances.590Please respect copyright.PENANAVVXbvnBfLH
And now... now you see why Philippe d'Orleans will be a fantastic character to get inside, and I am so excited to see how this one goes.590Please respect copyright.PENANAsWMFx0xmjS