Une journée à Versailles

Day number three in France got us out of Paris city central and on a train for about 30 minutes to Versailles. Brandon hadn’t been to Versailles either, so we were both curious as to what it was all about. We weren’t there for even half an hour before Brandon said, “Whoa! This is way bigger than I thought!” He really didn’t do his research!

The outside gates were all gold

Gold, gold everywhere!

The Palace of Versailles, or just plain old Versailles for short, is a royal chateau. When the chateau was built, Versailles was just a little country village. The court of Versailles was the center of political power in France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital city of Paris in 1789 after the French Revolution had already begun. The only things I really knew about Versailles was that King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette lived there or around there. I expected some elaborate décor, but even I was surprised at the extent of the chateau itself as well as the gardens – fountains, groves, statuary. In fact, we opted to rent a golf cart to get around the grounds. Good thing!

Gardens from above (not my picture)

When we first started out, none of the fountains were turned on. But by the time we got to the Mirror Pool / Fountain, we got to watch a really cool musical show with the fountain on and working in time with the music. As we left that area we noticed all the fountains were on. It was awesome. And you could hear classical music throughout the gardens.

Reagan is reading her literature, designed just for kids, to tell us what we are looking at.
She kept us straight on our fountains!

Louis XIV

Shrubery sculpted like an urn

My favorite fountain 

A lot of really cool statuary in the gardens

Fountains on!!

Mirror Fountain - what a cool show!

 After we spent an hour in the gardens, we went inside the Chateau and it was gilt and gold all over the place. Beautiful art work and gorgeous chandeliers.

The largest ceiling painted on canvas in Europe - The Apotheosis of Hercules

The doors were incredible - tall and gold

The Hall of Mirrors did not disappoint and it was not too crowded. Incredible!

The Hall of Mirrors when empty (not my picture)

With the crowds

Chandeliers everywhere!

After we picked our jaws up off the floor when we were done touring, we took a little train (I think I can, I think I can, I think I can was all I could think of as it bucked and heaved along) to the Petit Trianon, which is on Marie Antoinette’s Estate and where Marie lived for awhile. Much smaller than the Chateau and didn’t have all the ornate décor either, but nonetheless, it wasn’t so Petit.

A princess descends the staircase in the Petit Trianon

The commode

Marie Antoinette

It was a full day of “fancy” and some fun shopping (think macaroons!) and had to get back to the apartment as Brandon and Reagan had to catch their train back to Geneva by 6:00 p.m. It was fun to be in Paris with my son and granddaughter. I can’t tell you how helpful it was to have a French speaking person with me!

Brandon swears that these are the best macaroons. These are his and Tori's favorites.

Books I want to read about Marie Antoinette.

After seeing Reagan and Brandon off, I headed out for a "French" dinner. I literally just walked across the street.

Veal cutlet (is that French cuisine?) and pasta

Yummy creme brulee - definitely French!