Versailles

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Over the top! Crowded (although seasoned tourists said this was nothing compared to summer throngs)! Beautiful! Decadent (no wonder there was a Revolution)! Versailles! We got to Versailles from the River Baroness docked at Port de Mantes la Jolie after spending the morning at Vernon (blog details of Giverny in process). The River Baroness moved on to Conflans while we were at Versailles on this optional tour. It seems that many visitors to Paris have to skip Versailles because of the approx 2 hour commute time. Our route to and from the Palace made good use of time. We are impressed with UniWorld's intinerary organization. Our step on guide and palace guide were both excellent.
The Sun King, Louie XIV, was a demanding person. Versailles was build at the site of a hunting lodge. To build the palace the King had his engineers level a hill, divert a river, fill a swamp, and wipe out a forest! You have to wonder at the "sense of taste" that motivated such use of gold leaf, massive paintings, impossibly large chandeliers surrounded by detailed ceiling paintings of gods and godesses and such formal landscaping! No wonder Marie Antoinette, yearing for a simpler life, liked to dress as a peasant play pretend games. She and her friends played "milk maids" and actually went to the barns and fields and milked cows. The pictures speak for themselves.

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Photos

Marie Antoinette and Her Children
Such a tragic (misunderstood??) royal! Only the little girl survived from this family.

Coronation of Josephine
This is a detail of a huge painting.

Versailles
The fountains weren't functioning; probably already winerized in early Oct.

In the Hall of Mirrors
The seventeen huge mirrors reflect seventeen like size windows the lighting is amazing.

Bed Chamber
To bed; to bed; too bad about your head!

Comments

[Ellen]

Thanks for the pics
Loved the pictures. Hope to see more!!!

[Mark]

Versailles
Why that's not Versailles, I've stayed in Versailles and they don't have anyting as big as that. You musta been in Midway!

[Silver Back Cuda]

Ver Sales!!!
I understand your confusion. We were surely confused when, on our first trip to the Lexington, KY area, we found out we were in Versailles - but were advised to call it Ver Sales! Thanks for the funny, Mark!