Our second day in Paris we got up early and took the train out to Versailles – about an hour outside of Paris. Versailles was the home of Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette.
Remember how I said the Eiffel Tower was HUGE, well, Versailles is HUGE too! Just in a different way.
There is nothing little about the palace. Everything is large, grand, opulent and dare I say overdone!
Versailles is really a museum with amazing artwork covering every surface.
Not only is there artwork covering every wall but the artwork covers the ceilings too.
Look at Marie Antoinette’s bed!
It is easy to get lost in the grandness of everything! The Hall of Mirrors was spectacular.
It is easy to miss some of the simple details that are so lovely.
Even the hardware on the windows is pretty.
And the views out into the garden were amazing and breathtaking.
More lovely windows with more lovely views….
and lots of lovely stairways too….
After the tour of the palace we headed out to the gardens. Now I thought the palace was HUGE but it is nothing in comparison to the gardens. They went on for miles. In fact they are so large that we decided to rent a golf cart to drive around!
French gardens are so different than English gardens. Much more formal, tight and rigid but still beautiful. Not many flowers but lots of lovely manicured and sculpted lawns and trees.
After our morning in Versailles we hoped back on the train and headed back into Paris for a few more hours of sightseeing before we took the Chunnel back to London to head home the next morning.
Vive la France!
Wow, Versailles is so pretty! I’ve always wanted to go there. I love Marie Antoinette, the movie. So overdone but so gorgeous!
Love it all! You have a great eye for detail!
Beautiful! My husband and I took a trip throughout England a couple of years ago but we didn’t make it to France (he has been to France with our son but I wasn’t able to make that trip). I’m looking forward to another trip to England and you’ve sold me on a side trip to France, too!!
It’s been a long hot summer with little diversion. Thank you – thank you for sharing your travels — it has lifted my spirit.
That bed is absolutely incredible! Can you imagine sleeping in that thing! Wow! I don’t think I would sleep! Your photos are so beautiful!
How did you feel about the French towards Americans? I’ve heard from some of my friends that they can be pretty rude. Did you find that to be the case?
Ruth, I did not find them to be rude just unfriendly, very aloof, no one smiles at anyone. I kept thinking “You live in this beautiful city, can’t you act happy!”
(sigh) I need to get there someday…
Another wonderful tour Leigh Anne! I had no idea the gardens were so extensive…how thoughtful of them to provide golf carts.
Oooh! I am so jealous!! After teaching World History and European History for years, I’ve always longed to go to Versailles!!!! How wonderful that you were able to visit!! Thanks for sharing your pictures. Everything looks so lovely!