Q: Why were Versailles Palace and Gardens built, and what role did they play during the rule of King Louis XIV?

The Palace of Versailles was built under the rule of King Louis XIV. During Louis's reign, France was the leading European power and it fought three major wars: the Franco-Dutch War, the War of the League of Augsburg, and the War of the Spanish Succession (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_XIV_of_France). Because of the many wars, the country of France wasn't as wealthy as it had been in the past. However, King Louis XIV, also known as the Sun God, wouldn't let the wars stop him from displaying his personal wealth. 

(http://serenitystreetnews.com/102013/pic1/Sun.gif)

Besides the want for Louis XIV to display his personal wealth, Versailles served as the home for Louis and 60,000 other people (http://www.livescience.com/38903-palace-of-versailles-facts-history.html). Among these 60,000 stood some of his troops. He always kept protection near in fear of the Fronde. The bedroom of King Louis XIV was placed at the center of the Palace and deemed the most important room in the Palace. By having his room in the center of the palace, he could be protected by the 60,000 other people living around him. Versailles served as a protective sanctuary for Louis. 

(http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/bellenglise/versailles/images/ver-1-tn.jpg)

It would be pointless for Louis to build Versailles without showing it off. Entertainment was a large part of the daily life of Louis (http://en.chateauversailles.fr/history/versailles-during-the-centuries/living-at-the-court/a-day-in-the-life-of-louis-xiv). The construction of Versailles brought tourism almost immediately with the first tourist guide made in the late 1600's. Anyone was allowed to visit the premise as long as the dress code was followed. Entrance into Versailles meant entry into the royal apartments. However, private doors were built into the back panelling of the apartments which allowed royalty to move about the palace while remaining hidden from public view. Tourism allowed Louis to show off his wealth to the common french citizen as well as people visiting from outside France (https://housesandbooks.wordpress.com/2013/02/02/the-grandeur-and-squalor-of-old-versailles/). 

(http://stuffpoint.com/france/image/46482/map-of-versailles-picture/)

All these functions of Versailles played a very important role in protecting Louis and showing off his wealth. Versailles helped Louis XIV in becoming the most powerful and well-known king in French history.