Tyler Brooks
The Palace of Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has played host to many illustrious figures over the years, including Queen Victoria, who visited in 1855. At the time, street lighting was scarce and inadequate, and candles were the primary source of light. The Hall of Mirrors, one of the most luxurious rooms in the palace, was illuminated with thousands of candles during special occasions. While the exact number of candles used in 1855 is unknown, the room has been lit with up to 20,000 candles in the past, transforming it into a corridor of light.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of lighting | 25 August 1855 |
| Reason for lighting | Reception for Queen Victoria during her visit to France |
| Number of candles | 3000 |
| Type of candles | Trudon |
| Candle material | Beeswax |
| Wick material | Cotton |
| Candle colours | White and yellow |
| Location of lighting | Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles |
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What You'll Learn
The Hall of Mirrors
The hall features 17 ornate arches adorned with 357 mirrors, reflecting an endless series of gilded sculptures and intricate ceiling frescoes. The mirrors were Venetian, and the hall was a testament to France's economic prosperity and its ability to beat the Venetian monopoly over mirror production. The vaulted ceiling features 30 painted compositions by Le Brun, which depict the glorious history of Louis XIV during the first 18 years of his reign.
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8,000 candles lit to celebrate a royal birth in 1751
In the 18th century, candles were the only source of light at night in the Palace of Versailles. The palace, located just 20km from the centre of Paris, was home to several royal rulers over the centuries. In 1751, 8,000 candles were lit in the Hall of Mirrors to celebrate the birth of a royal child. The Hall of Mirrors was perhaps the most luxurious room in the world in the 17th century, adorned with mirrors from Venice and candlelight sparkling from candelabras and reflecting off the glass.
The candles were made of beeswax by the Trudon family, whose company still exists today, with stores in Paris. Their motto was "Deo regique laborant", meaning "They work for God and the King". The court of Louis XV was particularly fond of Trudon candles, which burned for a long time and did not sputter. There were two types of candles: white candles, which were used on tables and in the private apartments of nobles; and yellow candles, which were lower quality and burned faster.
The use of candles to illuminate celebrations dates back more than 5,000 years. While the Ancient Egyptians made rushlights or torches by soaking the pithy core of reeds in melted animal fat, the ancient Romans are generally credited with developing the wicked candle by dipping rolled papyrus in melted tallow or beeswax. Candles were used to light their homes, aid travellers at night, and in religious ceremonies.
Today, candles are no longer used as a major source of light, but they continue to grow in popularity for symbolic purposes, such as to symbolise celebration, ignite romance, soothe the senses, honour a ceremony, and accent home decor.
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Candles placed near mirrors to reflect light
In the mid-19th century, long before the advent of electric lighting, the grandiose palace of Versailles relied on more rudimentary methods for illumination. Candles played a pivotal role in lighting the vast chambers and corridors of this majestic residence. To enhance the luminosity, candles were often placed near mirrors, a clever tactic employed to maximise the reflection of light.
The placement of candles near mirrors was a deliberate and strategic choice. Mirrors have the unique ability to reflect light, and by positioning candles in front of or alongside them, the light emitted was effectively doubled. This simple yet effective technique helped to brighten the rooms, creating a more welcoming and majestic ambiance. The mirrored reflections not only amplified the light but also added a sense of depth and spaciousness to the chambers.
Strategically placing candles near mirrors was an ingenious way to create a brighter and more enchanting atmosphere. The soft, warm glow of candlelight, reflected in the mirrors, would have created a mesmerizing display, adding to the opulence and grandeur of the palace. The flickering flames, doubled in appearance by the mirrors, would have danced across the reflective surfaces, casting a warm and inviting glow throughout the rooms.
The use of mirrors also helped to distribute light more evenly, reducing harsh shadows and dark corners. By reflecting the candlelight, the mirrors illuminated areas that may have otherwise remained dimly lit. This clever manipulation of light and reflection transformed the palace, highlighting the intricate details, exquisite architecture, and lavish decorations that adorned the walls, ceilings, and furnishings.
The practice of using candles and mirrors in conjunction was a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of those tasked with lighting such a vast and impressive structure. While the soft, reflected candlelight could never match the brightness of modern electric lighting, it nonetheless contributed to the unique atmosphere and charm of Versailles, offering a glimpse into the palace's illustrious past and the resourceful methods employed to illuminate it.
Overall, the combination of candles and mirrors played a crucial role in the lighting of Versailles in 1855, providing a practical solution to the challenge of illuminating a grand palace before the era of electricity. The strategic placement of candles near mirrors not only enhanced the luminosity but also created a captivating and memorable atmosphere, reflecting the sophistication and elegance of one of the world's most famous palaces.
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Street lighting scarce until the 19th century
Street lighting was almost non-existent before the 19th century. In the Middle Ages, candles were the primary source of light, and they were extremely expensive. As a result, darkness prevailed, and crime rates were high. The streets were unsafe, and people had to carry their own lamps if they had to step out after sunset.
The situation was similar at the Palace of Versailles, where candles were the only source of light. The court of Louis XV was particularly fond of candles. Beeswax candles, made by the Trudon family, were of two kinds: white candles, used only on the table and in private apartments, and yellow candles, which burned faster and were of lower quality. In 1751, 8,000 candles were lit in the Hall of Mirrors to celebrate the birth of a royal child. The Hall of Mirrors was originally lit by as many as 20,000 candles on special occasions, transforming it into a "corridor of light". From 1780, oil lamps were used in the corridors and staircases of the Palace.
The development of lanterns with glass windows by Edmund Heming in London and Jan van der Heyden in Amsterdam in the 16th century greatly improved the quantity of light. In 1588, the Parisian Parliament decreed that a torch be installed and lit at each intersection, and in 1594, this was changed to lanterns. In 1698, an English visitor marvelled at the street lighting in Paris: 'The streets are lit all winter and even during the full moon!' Public street lighting was implemented in London towards the end of the 17th century. In 1745, an improved oil lantern called a réverbère was introduced, which shed much brighter light.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, oil lamps were used for street lighting in several cities. In 1773, Boston installed more than 300 oil lamps from England. In 1792, New York started using spermaceti oil, which burned more brightly than candles, in its street lamps. By 1809, the city had more than 1,600 oil lamps in use as streetlights. In 1817, Paris had 4,694 lamps on its streets.
With the development of cheap, reliable, and bright incandescent light bulbs at the end of the 19th century, street lighting became more common. The first street to be lit by an incandescent light bulb was Mosley Street in Newcastle, lit for one night by Joseph Swan's incandescent lamp on 3 February 1879. Cleveland, Ohio became the first city in the United States to successfully demonstrate electric lighting, with 12 electric lights installed on 29 April 1879.
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Trudon: famous candle-makers for the court
Cire Trudon is a French luxury candle and fragrance brand with a long and fascinating history. The company was founded in 1643 by Claude Trudon, a salesman who opened a boutique on rue Saint Honoré in Paris. Trudon supplied local homes and parishes with candles and wax during the reign of Louis XIV. The company's motto, "Deo regique laborant", translates to "They work for God and the King", referring to the bees that produced the wax.
Over time, Trudon's reputation grew, and the company began supplying candles to the largest cathedrals in Paris as well as to the royal court. The quality of Trudon candles was renowned, with pure beeswax and perfect wicks ensuring that the candles burned cleanly and efficiently. This was especially important in the time before electricity, as no one wanted their rooms filled with smoke or stained with soot.
The Trudon family worked for the court from the 17th century, and their candles were used in the apartments of nobles in the Palace of Versailles. In 1737, Jérôme Trudon, the heir to the Trudon company, purchased one of the most famous wax-producing factories of the time, further solidifying the company's success.
Cire Trudon survived the French Revolution and continued to serve the Imperial court of Napoleon I. The company even created a special pillar candle adorned with a gold profile medallion as a birthday gift for Napoleon's newborn son. Today, Cire Trudon still creates scented candles and partners with prestigious hotels and restaurants around the globe to offer elegant and distinctive scents. The company has two boutiques in Paris, plus a corner in the Bon Marché department store, and its candles can also be purchased online.
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Frequently asked questions
The candles used to light Versailles were made of beeswax. There were two types: white candles, which were used in private apartments and on tables, and lower-quality yellow candles, which burned faster.
The number of candles used to light Versailles varied depending on the occasion. On special occasions, the Hall of Mirrors was illuminated by up to 20,000 candles, transforming it into a "corridor of light". On other occasions, 3,000 candles were used to light the hall.
The Trudon family, one of the most famous candle makers, supplied candles to the court of Louis XV. The company still exists and has two stores in Paris.
No, by the 19th century, electricity was starting to replace candles as a source of lighting. However, candles were still used during the sumptuous reception held for Queen Victoria's visit to Versailles in 1855.
