Versailles FC can't play at night because of the King?

We have previously dealt with the bizarre rules that dominate the French Cup, which does not allow the teams involved to take the field with their regular Main Sponsor on the jersey or with the traditional social colors, but with its democratic format the competition also creates romantic stories. This year's belongs to FC Versailles 78, which for the second time in its history made it all the way to the round of 16 against Toulouse to be played today, Gennaio 28. 

In the French Cup the field factor belongs to the team that is drawn first or the one belonging to the lowest category, so in this case Versailles, which currently plays in National 2, practically our series D. For a number of reasons, however, the match will not be played at the Stade Montbauron, which sits on the hill that gives it its name, but at the Municipal Stadium in Toulouse. It has been said that the reason for this change of field was an ancient law promulgated by Luis XIV, the King Sun who despite his nickname apparently did not like having light sources outside his royal bedroom so much as to prohibit their use around the Palace of Versailles after sunset. This law would thus have prevented the Stade Montbauron, located less than 5 kilometers away, from having a lighting system for the evening matches of the local team. 

Of course, as much as one should never spoil a good story with the truth, there is no real law preventing Versailles FC's night matches. Instead, there is another, more recent law that follows UNESCO heritage protection and management guidelines, according to which the Palace of Versailles, being included in the world cultural body's register, would be protected from any kind of permanent structure or installation that would damage its view. Among these there would also be any pylons or supports of the lighting system of the Stade Montbauron, which is located about 1 km as the crow flies from the Palace of Versailles and moreover raised on the hill, therefore perfectly in the field of vision of the palace. On the other hand, if there were really a problem with the lights, the many illuminations that embellish the royal residence during the Christmas festivities would not be possible, something that happens every year. 

Versailles FC tried to move the match to the afternoon, when it could benefit from natural light, or to a nearby facility such as Créteil or Bondoufle, but both requests were returned to the sender. On the other hand, as we have already said, it is not easy to unravel the spider web of rules of the French Cup. Among these, there was not a law from the 1500's, but a more traditional UNESCO provision that blocked Versailles' dream of playing the most important match in its history among its own fans.