Versailles – The Epitome of Opulence

On our final day in Paris, France, we woke up early to catch a train to Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles. You can get there very easily; just take the underground Metro to the RER. Most Metro maps include the RER, so look toward the southwest corner of your map for a train that has a letter instead of a number. That’s probably it. It’s about half an hour from the city and a five minute walk from the train stop, and the trains leave approximately every 15 minutes. As a bonus, you’ll get to see some of suburban Paris.

When you first arrive, it’s impossible to tell how big Chateau de Versailles is. You get closer and it just gets bigger; like the opposite of that dragon story I can’t seem to remember the origin of (help). You approach the golden gate,

… and suddenly, BOOM! It’s enormous! It’s unbelievably opulent! It makes you want to stand up straighter with your calf turned out and do flouncy things with your hands! The square!

The architecture!

The clock!

We haven’t even gotten to the gardens yet! Ahem. Here are some highlights from the inside. Forgive the incessant throngs of fellow visitors; Versailles is full of human roadblocks. Here’s the Hall of Mirrors.

Versailles is lousy with thrones and the Hall of Mirrors is no exception. Here’s one from Africa which was carried on the backs of only the most honored subjects.

Here’s Marie Antoinette’s bedroom.

And here’s Louis XIV’s bedroom.

Love the enormous plumes on top, Lou. (And the photobomber. You have no idea how many photobombs we suffered in Versailles.)

Actually, I prefer Marie Antoinette’s — but hey, I’m a girl.

Here’s a sneak peek of the gardens, shot from an upstairs window.

And, a beautiful fresco being repaired.

Chairs.

Amazing vaulted ceiling coving.

Unforunately, the Prince’s wing was closed.

We arrived at Angelina, Chateau de Versailles’ on-site lunch spot and had Croque Monsieur and Quiche Lorraine (below).

The real draw inside, though, was the PASTRIES.

Tony had a Montblanc, which the menu told us has a secret recipe which has been “closely guarded” for over 100 years.

Inside:

After a lovely lunch, we wandered through the Dauphin’s chambers, feeling almost entirely unimpressable. After witnessing so much grandeur, it’s hard to imagine anything looking very special ever again. I did like this molding, though.

And these library doors with bookends.

And the gold trim and pale blue velvets of this room.

And this room (okay, I guess we were still impressable).

And now? The gardens:





And here’s Louis XIV, pointing the way back to the train.

That’s it for our trip to Versailles — and our trip to Paris! Thanks for reading everyone. Please leave your comments (we read them all!) and see you next trip!

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