Stag's Courtyard

The Stag's Courtyard (Cour des Chefs) was created on the order of Louis XIV and has been changed several times during the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI. It leads to the King's inner apartments. The courtyard derives its name from the sculptures of deer that has been attached to the walls - the antlers are genuine deer-antlers. The all-round balcony enabled the courtiers - and the King - to move between the King's inner apartments without having to navigate through the labyrinth of rooms inside the palace.

Close-up of one of the terracotta deer