Day 9 - Versailles

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Yesterday was a partly drizzly day (first mildly inclement weather so far!) and we did not do too much so not blog-worthy.....Today we were up early and it was still overcast and a little drizzly. But by the time we headed out at 7:30 (am) the rain had stopped and the roads were dry! So, back on the bikes and off to Versailles! It was about an hour and a half to get there (which includes lots of stop lights but shockingly no stops for map checks!). The ride was pretty good and both kids are impressing us with their ability to keep up (although we are not in big rush). We were trying to get there by 9am when it opened and we did but there is nowhere to park a bike anywhere near the main gates....so 45 minutes later we arrived back at the main gates to get in line 2,300 Fitbit steps later). The line took about 50 minutes snaking back and forth around the courtyard. Security was tight and it was not unlike airport security! Once in the palace, it was very crowded and we shuffled along with the other tourists (aka sardines). The palace is extravagant and so are the gardens. Bikes were not allowed on the grounds of the palace or the gardens. However, the largest component of the estate is the park which would take forever to try to explore on foot. So, after the palace and the gardens, we walked back to our bikes and rode to a nice picnic area in the park grounds (next to where they used to keep the sheep that "mowed" the lawns of Versailles). Then we headed over to Petit Trianon (built for Marie-Antoinette) followed by Grande Trianon (where Charles de Gaulle lived and received foreign leaders like Reagan, Nixon, Trudeau until maybe 1983). These were nice to walk through and a little less busy as most tourists were on foot and would take much longer to get to the park area where these are both located. Next we rode our bikes up and down the large central canal and around some of the park trails which was fun. We couldn't do this all day however, as we still had to bike an hour and half back home. We (Nigel and Russell actually) are getting better every day at navigating the streets and we spend much less time looking at maps and being lost. I still have no idea where I (Lori) am at any point. I can easily find my way home from the top of our street though so that is something (assuming you point me in the right direction, that is). I can also get to the running track and home unassisted. We are all tired now from the early start and all the biking so we are gonna lay low tonight and tomorrow will likely be another road trip day (Loire valley possibly).

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Photos

Main gates
See the crowds!

Gardens
This is at the side of the gardens

Ceiling
One of the ceilings inside the palace

Family shot
Taken overlooking the gardens

Colours
Most rooms had a colour scheme. Some weird colours too like this yellow. Others were weird green, maroon, etc.

Canal trail
Biking down beside the canal

Small beds
The beds are very small here, not made for tall people!