Blogs from Versailles, Île-de-France, France, Europe - page 6

Home to King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. This place was unblievable. I didn't even make it into the palace. The Gardens alone took me half the day. For those of you who find yourselves lucky enought to see the gardens and are on a time budget, I would recommened stiking to the left side and center. The right side had something happen (right when facing down to the channel) a few years ago and it seem to still be growing in. Not that it isnt still nice. It is just not as nice as the left side. Although there were many poeple there, it never felt crowded and many times I found myself alone imagining what it must have been like to walk these gardens at the hight of their beuaty. As I walked through ... read more

A day well spent exploring the palace and gardens at Versailles - former hunting lodge of King Louis XIII, then enlaged by his son King Louis XIV. King Louis XVI added the Trianon estate as a gift to his wife, Marie-Antoinette. First started with a walk though the gardens and groves. No flowers out yet, or fountains going, but still a magnificent site. Walked through the groves, past the Grand canal to Marie-Antoinette's Estate - now being fully restored. Visited the Grand Trianon, the Petite Trianon, the pavillions, theatre and the little village she created by the lake. Then back to the main palace, and a tour through the state apartments - the King's Chamber, Hall of Mirrors, then galleries and Dauphin's apartments. An amazing spectacle, one of the best palaces you will see. ... read more

Now to begin, you think I would be better at directions given I am my dads daughter, NOPE! And I wasn't smart enough to print out or really look anything up. Eventually I did find where to go. I am telling you....Lake Michigan should be everywhere I am. I found the Hotel Au Trianon Palace. I was able to change from jeans and tennis shoes to my skirt and heels. I had a drink while waiting....It was a juice mixture of orange, mango and passion fruit. Finally after waiting dinner time!! The moment I have waited for 33 days!!!! To start I had a raddichio and parmesan rissoto with chorizo oil AND there were pieces of chorizo in it. The bread was good that was at the table, warm European style...the first one had olives in ... read more

We visited the magnificence of Versailles today (after taking a couple of hours to get from one side of Paris right over to the other side). Mum kept saying its no wonder that they had a revolution, and i tend to agree. The extravagance and decadence were ridiculous, but impressive nonetheless. It had snowed that morning, so the gardens were lovely with the snow still on the hedges and everything. Then after coming back into town we had a look at Notre Dame, which was spectacular. Unreal shadows as it was early evening, and the large Xmas tree outside was lovely. Then we met Tesni at St Michel for a spot of window shopping (i made a list of about 45 things i want to go back and buy when we are back in Paris), and ... read more

I think the weather was probably the only thing France's king couldn't control in the late 1600's, even though his manicured gardens appear to be an attempt to control nature. The weather for our weekend visit was rainy and cold, but it didn't dampen our enthusiasm. The palace lived up to it's reputation for opulence! It is true expression of self-glorification and King Louis XIV set the standard of quality very high. During the French Revolution the palace was "emptied" of it's furnishings and abandoned. Standing in the Hall of Mirrors, I tried to imagine the drama and chaos of 1789, as King Louis XVI and his family were forced to leave this gilded world. In 1837, Louis-Philippe turned it into the National Museum dedicated to "all the glories of France". Although the Palace of Versailles ... read more