Page "Versailles (city)" Paragraph 21

At the same time, a new city was emerging from the ground, resulting from an ingenious decree of the king dated 22 May 1671, whereby the king authorized anyone to acquire a lot in the new city for free.

There were only two conditions to acquire a lot: 1-a token tax of 5 shillings ( 5 sols ) per arpent of land should be paid every year ($ 0. 03 per per year in 2005 US dollars ); 2-a house should be built on the lot according to the plans and models established by the Surintendant des Bâtiments du Roi ( architect in chief of the royal demesne ).

The plans provided for a city built symmetrically with respect to the Avenue de Paris ( which starts from the entrance of the castle ).

The roofs of the buildings and houses of the new city were not to exceed the level of the Marble Courtyard, at the entrance of the castle ( built above a hill dominating the city ), so that the perspective from the windows of the castle would not be obstructed.