Built to glorify King Louis XIV, the Galerie d’Apollo was designed in 1661 by the architect Louis Le Vau
and the painter Charles Le Brun, and decorated by the greatest French artists.
The 41 paintings and 36 stucco figures that decorate the ceiling depict an idealised version of the universe illustrated
by the myth of the sun god Apollo, emblem of the young king.
The project was only completed in the 18th and 19th centuries with, in particular, the painting of the central composition,
"Apollo Vanquishing the Serpent Python", by Eugene Delacroix and the weaving by the Gobelins factory
of the 28 tapestry portraits of artists and sovereigns set in gilded mouldings above the dado.
In 1861, the “Crown Gems” (priceless vases in rock crystal and coloured stone) collected by Louis XIV
were installed in the gallery, followed in 1888 by the Crown Jewels.
This display now also includes some of the sumptuous personal jewels of the French queens
and a rich collection of 18th century gold caskets and cases.

When we were here in 2006 photography was forbidden in this gallery.
It was a pleasant surprise to be able to record our visit.