1ST BIRTHDAY CAKE DECORATING IDEAS

Wednesday July 25th: Versailles: A view of the "family tree" of royals who ruled France for several hundred years.

The Royal Palace of Versailles, near Paris is undoubtedly the most famous palace and garden combination in Europe, possibly the world. This national museum is best known and the centerpiece of the empire of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Originally a hunting lodge for members of royalty, within easy travel distance of the cultural capital of Paris, it was constructed at the dawn of the 17th century. The "boy of the throne", Louis XIV, began modify the original design, with the help of the famous French architect Louis LeVau, working the role of principal designer. Grand horse stables and huge groves were added as central themes. Another phase of additions began in the 1670's, the resulting modifications completely transforming the chateau into a visibly different, and much more spectacular, building. The center of the new project was the central Royal Court.

Yet another round of massive construction, involving nearly 25,000 workers, began in the 1680's, and lasting for almost 15 years. Jules Hardouin-Mansart, a relatively unknown designer at the time, was responsible for the majority of the construction. During this period, Louis XIV moved the base of the French Monarchy from Paris to Versailles, dramatically increasing the importance of Versailles as an important governmental and cultural base. After the King's death in 1710, the decoration and consecration of the Palace Chapel was finally completed.

Jacques-Ange Gabriel designed the Versailles opera house in 1748, and was built for Louis XV. Under Louis XVI, there were plans to further extend the palace, and an architectural competition for a master design was held during 1783. Of course, the French Revolution (1789-1799) terminated the reign of Louis XVI. All the furnishings and decor of Versailles was sold off, and the palace converted into a museum.
The enormous, vast, and elaborate gardens in the park of Versailles, which face and frame the Grand Canal, host many monuments, sculptures, and subsidiary buildings. Included in this area are the Trianon and the Petit Trianon. The latter dates from approximately 1760 and was the preferred residence of Marie-Antoinette, the queen consort to Louis XVI. She had an imitation rural village, the Hameau, built on to the grounds.

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Versailles has undergone extensive restoration work, and some of its original furnishings and decorations were returned in place. Interiors of note include the Salon de Hercules, the grand bed room of Marie-Antoinette, and a Hall of Mirrors, where the German Empire was proclaimed in 1871 after France was defeated in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, and where, most famously, in 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed, signaling the official end of World War I.

The "travel theme" was carried out in all possible ways!
Clockwise, from top left: A description card explaining the bride and groom's vision and concept of their very personal cake, 2. Placecards with the "boarding pass" theme 3. "Japan" tablemarker 4. invitation (and edible replica in background!) with "boarding pass" theme 5. "New York" tablemarker 6. "Hawaii" tablemarker