Today we traveled again by regional train to Versailles. I'm really enjoying all the traveling we're doing by train. It's a new experience for me and part of the adventure.Palace view from the gardens.
Once we arrived at village of Versailles we had to stand in line for tickets to the palace. How shocking, a line!
Waiting an hour was not as bad as making the line go through tacky
souvenir shops complete with wind-up dancing Louie the XIV's, Christmas ornaments and Eiffel Tower keychains... Lucky for you, I didn't take pictures.But here's one Michael took...We're almost at the end of the line when he noticed the sign:
"Excursions with a departure from Paris
on sale here from 2:3o - 6:30pm."
on sale here from 2:3o - 6:30pm."
Now, isn't that conveniently French? I'm already in Versailles. Why didn't you mention this before we left Paris? Duh?
Entrance to the Palace
The Palace of Versailles was originally the royal hunting lodge in 1624 and was a simple vacation chateau during King Louis XIII. King Louis XIV expanded it into one of the largest palaces in the world. For more information about the Palace, click here.
I can't remember the last time I saw as many chandeliers, mirrors, marble, carvings, gold paint, frescoes, wall paper, manicured lawns and water fountains all in one place. What an impressive collection of antiquities, architecture, design and of course, self portraits which were at the time, a manner in which to portray importance and hierarchy.
Michael listening intently during our self-guided tour.
(Not a cell phone!)
A perspective of the height & size of the rooms
There's about 10 more feet above him that I can't fit in the photo!
Entering the Hall of Mirrors
A perspective of the height & size of the rooms
There's about 10 more feet above him that I can't fit in the photo!The Hall of Mirrors.
This is the principle and most remarkable room in the palace. Grand festivities and formal dinners were often held here, which also overlook the grounds and gardens. The left wall has 357 mirrors placed in 17 arches. Each arch was designed to be in front of each window on the right wall. There are nearly 51 hanging chandeliers, each approximately 3 to 4 feet in diameter.
There are approximately 34 standing candelabras placed in between the mirrored arches.
You can see Michael's reflection along with awindow, which overlooks the manicured
gardens and fountains.
gardens and fountains.
View of the grounds from the palace...
The first picture at the top of today's post was taken from the far end of the lawn.
There are more pics from there later!
Typical artwork and design above the fireplaces
More frescoes in the queens bedroom...
Finally, we get outdoors to enjoy the magnificent and warm weather! Much to our surprise, classical music is playing from hidden speakers throughout the entire grounds and the fountains are on! The fountains are only turned on four hours per day...lucky us!
But for now, we decide to relaxing on the lawn and enjoy people watching, the views and sunshine...
Rowing in the gardens....
But we decide to explore ALL of Versailles' grounds
and for that, the only thing you need are....
Bicycles!
After enjoying a nice afternoon on the palace grounds, we walked around the town for a little while...
Then we headed home to begin packing as tomorrow we leave for Strasbourg, France.
The first picture at the top of today's post was taken from the far end of the lawn.There are more pics from there later!
The number of frescoes is overwhelming, as well as the detailed carvings of the moldings and mantles.
Typical artwork and design above the fireplacesFrescoe on the dome of the ceiling and detailed carvings from the mantle piece.
The king and queen maintained separate bed chambers. Her bedroom was quite a fairy tale in design. The canopy and bed cover are all handmade tapestry designed to match the wall covering. The canopy was also used when the queen traveled and is designed to come apart for that reason.
More frescoes in the queens bedroom...
The Gardens of the Chateau
Finally, we get outdoors to enjoy the magnificent and warm weather! Much to our surprise, classical music is playing from hidden speakers throughout the entire grounds and the fountains are on! The fountains are only turned on four hours per day...lucky us!
Spectacular fountains!
Manicured lawns and flower gardens add to the splendor of these water "canals" that were designed all throughout. Row boats were available for rent and lots of people were enjoying doing that!
But for now, we decide to relaxing on the lawn and enjoy people watching, the views and sunshine...
The palace far away in the background.
Earlier I pointed out the view of the grounds from a window in the palace.
Earlier I pointed out the view of the grounds from a window in the palace.
Rowing in the gardens....But we decide to explore ALL of Versailles' grounds
and for that, the only thing you need are....
Bicycles!
After enjoying a nice afternoon on the palace grounds, we walked around the town for a little while...
Then we headed home to begin packing as tomorrow we leave for Strasbourg, France.
On a sad note...Michael lost his reading glasses during the train ride home.
More to come....wallpapers of Versailles....
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More to come....wallpapers of Versailles....
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1 comment:
Aha!!! You figured it out ... not so blonde after all :)
Love the blog and ha ha to the French and your ticket fiasco!
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