In Versailles, one of the main attractions is reopening after renovation

PARIS - The Palace of Versailles near Paris is reopening today after renovation one of its main attractions - the magnificent Hall of Mirrors, which offers a view of the palace gardens. For now, about half of its more than seventy-meter length will be accessible, while the remainder will take another year and a half to complete.
The restoration of the now-opened section took the same amount of time. During this period, the paintings, stucco, and marble decorations as well as the gilding were carefully restored, and the mirrors that gave the hall its name also underwent a cleaning bath.
Experts quoted by the AFP agency were thrilled by the vibrancy of the colors used by the court painter of King Louis XIV, Charles Le Brun, which the restoration has allowed to revive. The paintings cover about a thousand square meters, making it the largest ensemble of its kind in France.
The Hall of Mirrors is the work of architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart. It was used for great celebrations and audiences. This renovation is the first complete one since its completion in 1684.
The second part of the gallery will begin restoration in February. The gallery will not be closed during the work. The total cost of the restoration will reach twelve million euros (about 360 million crowns).
The Palace of Versailles is visited by about three million people each year.