Blogs from Versailles, Île-de-France, France, Europe - page 3

Another first for us this the time to Paris is visiting Versailles. It is about 10 miles south of Paris and is reached by taking the RER train (part of the metro system). We got up fairly early to ensure that with travel time we would be there shortly after opening. Versailles was the King's residence for Louis XIV, XV, and XVI up to the French Revolution. Louis the XVI was married to Marie Antoinette who had her own small estate on the property as well. The train was packed with fellow tourists heading that way and now is a good time to mention that today is quite quite cold. The wind is blowing, there is no sun (that classic French gray sky!), and it is about 40 but with the wind colder. We arrived and ... read more

Late last year there were thoughts of perhaps experiencing the Orient Express Tour but at about $10,000 per person the 7 day journey seemed perhaps a tad too luxurious. Scrap that idea. Then the light bulb came on. Why not create our own Orient Express tour following the route on the various European rail company services. Paris to Istanbul. The route was laid out, costing no where near $10,000 but did we want to go to Istanbul again? We arrived at Orly airport somewhat South of Paris, as in the Eiffel Tower, so the first task was to get to our hotel. It was not really a task. For 9.32 Euros we purchased a metro pass and took the 7 minute Orly – Val shuttle train to the metro connection. Then it was just 2 transfers ... read more

We impressed ourselves with our ability to stay up most of day 1. So much so that we were a bit surprised on day 2 that the kids appeared to be in a suspended sleep state and could not be roused. Not even with promises of fresh baked goods. Mark and I left the kids sleeping (having told Nathan--we are going to the bakery, tell your sister if she asks). Turns out he was not really listening. She awoke to find us gone and was none too pleased. Fear not, she did recover. We used Yelp to find a nearby bakery and with Mark's map reading talents, we were there with ease. Shelves lined with the most gorgeous pastries and breads. Loaves in perfect form, golden croissants, some with chocolate peeking out. We ordered 6 items ... read more

Todaywas dedicated to visiting the garden city, Versailles and to watching andabsorbing Parisian culture. I spent my time at Versailles entirely in the gardens, miles and miles of manicured green lawn, grasses and trees with beautiful pieces of art work all around. I found what has been my favorite Piec of art so far, check it out here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latona_Fountain The trip was fairly easy to plan and so I had time to comeback into town to hopefully catch the catacombs, those cellars full of the bones of the dead that were moved for hygienic purposes. Well, apparently every other tourist had that same idea as the line was easily 300 people deep. So, you're in Paris for a day, do you spend three hours in line to see the site? Or do yo find a local ... read more

Day 6 Off to the Palace de Versailles today. More trains but first a new adventure. Public phone call to arrange pick up of lease car next week. First find public phone - walk the block only to find one opposite our apartment - d'oh... Free call number doesn't work so need to get phone card. Friends at the supermarket next door asked - this guy actually looks a bit like a mix of Basil Fawlty and a vulture - beside that he usherto then the corner news stand. Hand and rough French and we get a phone card - finally get it to work in the public phone and a time arranged to pick up car. Think we have missed the train we originally wanted to catch so we were wandering to station and got ... read more