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Louis XIV’s famed Palace of Versailles, 23 kilometres to the west of Paris, is acknowledged as the greatest and most magnificent palace ever built. Taking over 30 years to build and employing tens of thousands, what was the response from the ‘Sun King’, who prided himself on his self-control, when he was shown the final cost?

Answer: Louis gave a quick look of shock and pain and then quickly stuffed it into his pocket. To this day, no one knows for certain what the palace cost. Each year countless numbers from around the world visit to marvel at it’s magnificence.

Source: World History Factfinder by Colin McEvedy

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