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Published: March 25th 2013
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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 there were hundreds of people in queue outside the gates and walking around. We purchased a Museum pass this trip which gave us entrance, but went to the information desk to get a map, etc. Well, we got the BEST tip ever from the nicest woman ever (literally). They have guided tours for an additional 7E that grant you access to the private apartment
of the king as well as the Opera House. This gets you inside and after the tour you are free to then visit the rest of the palace. Otherwise, it was a good hour+ wait in line outside to get in (Yes, this is once you already have tickets! Crazy!). We went with that option and the next available tour was 1:30pm. It was 10:30am at this point, so we had time to explore the gardens and see Marie Antoinette's estate area first (the Grand and Petit Trianons).
So the property is HUGE! On the map just getting to the Trianon was a 25 minute walk. We stopped at a cafe area they had for a quick warm up coffee and crepe first. It's not quite Spring here either (but at least no snow, sorry to our NJ friends right now!). So I can only imagine how beautiful it is in the Spring/Summer. The Trianons were kind of a disappointment outside of the totally girly appearance which I dig. You can tell this was Marie's place and she did it up! Pink marble on the outside of her palaces, bright bold colors inside....quite fashion forward for her time. Apparently
she had 10,000 shoes at her death and they say she started "French Fashion." The French people loved her BTW, she was very much a giver and very charming.
We met up with our group and our guide Jean Marc for a look inside the apartments. The history is deep and most of the style is from Louis XV time. Louis XVI started to add in some more "modern" elements that are noted in the furniture. So at the time of the French Revolution, the castle was stormed and Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette were taken to Paris and never returned (we know beheaded at Place de la Concorde). Most of the castle's belongings were sold off except things that were protected by the Republique (very few items). The castle was reopened as a museum in the 1800's and they have been slowly restoring and attempting to reacquire any original interior items they can. The highlight of the tour was the Opera house, it's glorious!!! It was built specifically for the many parties to celebrate the wedding of Louis the XVI and Marie Antoinette, who were just 14 & 15 at the time! You would think sitting there that
it was a hall built of marble, etc..but actually all wood. Louis XV couldn't afford that at the time and wood was much faster as well in building. The whole thing was completed in 2 years. They hold performances there now and it is a must on our next trip! Sorry no pics allowed.
We walked through the rest of the palace which blows your mind on how over the top it is. Just WOW! It is also SO CROWDED! We want to come back later in the season next time, but I can only imagine that it would be even crazier!! It was a great afternoon and we hopped on the train back to catch a comedy show we booked and found through Yelp. It's called "How to become a Parisian in One Hour." This is the #3 thing to do in Paris on Trip Advisor with over 1000 reviews! Matt especially is not a comedy show type of person, but it was certainly cute and we did laugh. Considering EVERYTHING is closed Sunday evening (and every evening for that matter, LOL) it was something different to do. He did say so many things that we have been
repeating and imitating since! We hit the sack early in anticipation of getting up early to climb Notre Dame's towers again. I will need my rest!!!!!
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Tom Lyle
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Versailles
Did they talk of the mock battles on the pond with their boats of the times. We went during the summer, so all the gardens were in bloom. mom & dad