Palais d'Avalon

Main Structures

• Château d'Avalon: The central building, 3 times the size of Versailles' main palace, with:
  • Royal apartments (for the monarch and family).
  • State rooms for official ceremonies and receptions.
  • A grand throne room.
  • Private chapels and chapels for public worship.
  • Libraries, art galleries, and museums.
  • Banquet halls and ballrooms.

• Two Large Royal Halls:
  • Hall of Kings: For coronations, royal weddings, and major state events.
  • Hall of Nations: For diplomatic gatherings, treaties, and international summits.

• Administrative Buildings:
  • Chancery offices for royal decrees and governance.
  • Treasury and tax collection offices.
  • Archives for historical records and legal documents.
  • A dedicated postal and communication hub.

• Smaller Palaces:
  • Summer Palace: A retreat for the royal family during warmer months.
  • Winter Palace: A cozy, insulated residence for colder seasons.
  • Guest Palaces: For visiting dignitaries and foreign royalty.

Cultural and Recreational Buildings

• Grand Opera Theater: A massive, ornate theater for operas, ballets, and symphonies.
• Smaller Theaters: For plays, chamber music, and experimental performances.
• Card Club: An exclusive venue for nobles to play games of chance and strategy.
• Outdoor Music Venue: An amphitheater for concerts and open-air performances.
• Art Studios and Workshops: For royal artists, sculptors, and craftsmen.

Sports and Military Facilities

• Tourney-Jousting Field:
  • A large arena with stands for spectators.
  • Stables for knights’ horses and armories for equipment.
• Tennis Facilities:
  • Multiple courts, including indoor and outdoor options.
• Archery Venue:
  • A long-range field with targets and spectator seating.
• Military Barracks and Training Grounds:
  • Housing for 2,000 guards and their horses.
  • Training fields for drills, cavalry exercises, and mock battles.
  • Armories and blacksmiths for weapon maintenance.
• Kennel: For royal hunting dogs and pets.
• Aviary: A large, ornate structure for exotic birds and falconry.

Gardens, Parks, and Water Features

• Formal Gardens:
  • Symmetrical designs with fountains, statues, and manicured hedges.
  • Flower gardens with seasonal blooms.
• Forests and Woodlands:
  • Plots of dense forest for hunting, hiking, and solitude.
  • Hidden clearings for picnics or secret meetings.
• Water Features:
  • A river running through the estate, with bridges and waterfront promenades.
  • Canals, lakes, and cascading fountains.
  • A boating house for royal gondolas or small ships.
• Major Parks:
  • A public park for citizens to enjoy (with restricted access to royal areas).
  • A private royal park with exclusive amenities.

Additional Features

• Isolated Chateaus:
  • Scattered in forested regions for private retreats or romantic getaways.
• Hunting Lodges:
  • Smaller, rustic buildings for royal hunting parties.
• Orangeries and Greenhouses:
  • For growing exotic plants, fruits, and flowers year-round.
• Market Square:
  • A small marketplace within the palace grounds for artisans and vendors.
• Royal Stables:
  • For the monarch’s personal horses and carriages.
• Clock Tower and Observatory:
  • A tall tower with a clock and astronomical instruments.
• Monuments and Statues:
  • Commemorating past monarchs, military victories, and cultural achievements.

Layout and Design Considerations

• Symmetry and Grandeur: Like Versailles, your palace could emphasize symmetry, with long, straight pathways radiating from the main building.
• Hidden Passages and Secret Rooms: For intrigue and escape routes.
• Mixed Architectural Styles: Combining classical, baroque, and gothic elements to reflect the kingdom’s history.
• Integration with Nature: The palace should blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings, with gardens and forests flowing into the built environment.

Scale

• Building Space: 3 times Versailles’ 67,000 sq. meters = ~201,000 sq. meters (2.16 million sq. feet).
• Outdoor Space: 20 times Versailles’ 8,150 hectares = ~163,000 hectares (402,700 acres). This allows for vast forests, parks, and recreational areas.

This palace would be a self-contained city, capable of hosting thousands of people while maintaining its grandeur and functionality. It would be a symbol of power, culture, and luxury, reflecting the wealth and ambition of the fictional kingdom it represents.