The Palace of Versailles July 12, 2013

Leaving the apartment at 7:30am we took the metro to Versailles. It took a while because we got confused from all the different lines, but we made it ten minutes before it opened.

The line to see the palace had already grown... 



We decided to walk around the gardens first to avoid the long line. This is the back of the palace.

Though the fountains were not turned on, the topiary, flowers, and statues were beautiful in the sun light.

There were also modern art sculptures among the gardens. Though the air was cool it got hotter throughout the day.

The grounds were very large and took a lot of energy to cover.

This is the Apollo fountain.



The Grand Trianon was at the other end and to the right in the palace grounds. It was a very long walk, but we made a friend who stayed with us throughout the day. Her name was Lizzie.

The Grand Trianon was a resort where the king and his family would stay, away from the busy court life. It was certainly grand with its pink marble and chandeliers. 

The first room inside the left wing was The Boudoir of the Empress, Napoleon's mother.



The Mirrors Salon was the finest room.



The empress Marie-Louise's bedroom was first belonged to Louis XIV.



The back of the small palace had gardens and trails to walk about.

The Emperor's Family Drawing-Room.



The bedroom of the Queen of Belgians.



 The Cotelle Gallery has twenty-four paintings of the Versailles and Trianon grounds.

For lunch we bought baked potatoes covered in selected toppings. Maggie and I shared one with ham, tomatoes, egg, and mayonnaise.

Next we set off for Marie Antoinette's peasant village. On the way we stopped at the Petit Trianon and the Temple of Love.

Marie Antoinette's billiard table.

The Temple of Love.

The Queen's Hamlet was Marie's village.

Marlborough Tower

The cottages were modeled after the English style. They were charming, made with thatch roofs and flowers growing on top. 

Each cottage had a garden with fresh produce.

The Queen's House.

She also had a dairy built, but it is no longer standing.

After a very long walk, we went back to the palace to wait in line to view the inside.

Maggie and Lizzie.

Though the line twisted and curved from all the people, there wasn't a long wait.

This is the chapel.

 Before touring the royal rooms, we looked at fine paintings of the residents, famous leaders, and the building of the palace.

 Every room was extremely detailed. They all had painted ceilings and were heavily encrusted with gold.

The Hall of Mirrors.

A painting of Marie Antoinette and her children.

A coronation of an empress.

We were right on time as the palace closed at 6pm. It was a great experience to see all the beautiful well-kept gardens and the grand rooms to the small cottages. It was a long day as we walked everywhere. There were crowds of people leaving Versailles only to be greeted by people selling trinkets and postcards. It was definitely an all-day event.

Because of a train accident at the nearest metro station, we had to walk to the next one. We said goodbye to Lizzie and headed to the apartment. We ate dinner at a seafood restaurant around the corner. This was our appetizer.

 Maggie and I shared a dish of black spaghetti, roasted tomatoes, octopus, muscles, shrimp, and other edible seafood.

à plus tard!