You don't have to go to France to visit the Palace of Versailles.
You can stay right here in Windermere, Florida and enjoy seeing a replica of the real French palace.
The replica Palace of Versailles is a house owned by Jackie and David Siegel. Naturally, it is called the Versailles House and it is one of the most ostentatious celebrity houses that is being built. Jackie Siegel is an American socialite and the wife of David Siegel, a Westgate Resort mogul.
Over 15 years, they built a huge replica of the real Palace of Versailles. The house is a mind-boggling 85,000 square feet if you bear in mind that this is a single family home. The construction of the house began in 2004 and it is reportedly still under construction.
The Florida Versailles home will have 14 bedrooms, 32 bathrooms, 11 kitchens, indoor and outdoor pools,a roller-skating rink, a huge garage, and a bowling alley. It is all for the Siegels and their nine children.
So, the next question to ask is how does the Florida Versailles compare to the real Palace of Versailles in France?
Well, as you can see from the pictures, the Florida Versailles is just a replica and can never compare to the real deal.
The real Palace of Versailles was the home of French Royalty from 1682 - 1789. The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is unimaginably extravagant. Marie Antoinette once lived in the palace. The palace has a million square feet of roof, 2143 windows, 1252 chimneys, and 67 staircases. The Kings and Queens of France used to live in gilded apartments in the palace.
While David and Jackie Siegel may be spending $100 million for their Versailles House, the Palace of Versailles is upwards of billions of dollars.
If you are in Windermere and want to check out the Versailles House, it is located at 6121 Kirkstone Lane in the gated community of Lake Butler Sound. However, you might have to ask Jackie and David Siegel for permission to see their house first.
Source: loveproperty.com, Orlando Sentinel