chapter 66: VERSAILLES

With a train departure time of 8:00 AM, we started our day early. We had to first walk to the Metro station where we rode the subway to catch three seperate bus connections. The RER then took us straight to Versailles, where, looking around, it was difficult to tell we were anywhere special. We decided to follow the herd or people all walking in the same direction. Down about three blocks, past a few small jewelry stops, we turned the corner to see this.

I was amazed at how ornate it was and the sheer amount of gold. As we approached the gates, we finally had a picture of the enormity of the palace of King Louis. It was beautiful weather, but we could see a storm approaching. We stood in line and purchased our tickets, both for the palace tour (with audio, as we didn't know much about Versailles) and with the tour of the outer gardens, including the "cottage" of Marie Antoinette.

 

(the golden gates)

(view from the castle looking out)

(view of the entrance)

(audio tour!)

(the woman herself)

(for some reason, I was mesmerized by his facial expression)

We walked through each room of the palace, taking in the ornateness of each bedroom, living room, sitting room, guest room, entertaining room, etc. It just went on and on. The highlight was a bust of King Louis XIV by Bernini.

As we neared the end of the palace, the rain (make that hail) started in. The front courtyard was beginning to puddle and the wind was unbearable. We  hung out inside, as we were grossly unprepared. I had my rain coat, but Ben just had a hoodie and both of us were freezing. We swung by the gift shop in hopes of finding a rain coat for ben or at least an umbrella... Those people know what they are doing. Raincoats and umbrellas were $50 minimum. I don't think so...

After a few minutes, the rain let up and we made a run for the gardens. Still sprinkling and windy, we wove our way through the garden maze to an outdoor restaurant. We scored a seat under a heat lamp, trying to picture how beautiful and serene it would be if the sun were shining.

(view down the gardens)

(being fancy and feeling very pomp)

(Neptune Sculpture)

After our slightly overpriced lunch of pizza, salad and sandwich, we decided to just grin and bear it. We strolled up and down the miles of green garden and sparkling fountains, literally as far as your eye could see.

Off to the right, the path let to the chateau of Marie Antoinette (at this point, the rain had pretty much dissipated). Arbored walkways covered in beautiful purple flowers led to her haven away from the palace. Pictures of her and her children lined the hallways of her quaint little home (quaint comparatively to the Palace, that is...). She also had her own theater and chapel that we could only see from the entry way, as it was roped off.

(the long walk to Marie Antoinette's Chateau)

(Marie Antoinette's Chateau)

(kitchen)

(chapel)

(private theater)

(fancy curtsy)

After taking as many panoramas as we possibly could, trying to capture every inch that our eye could take in, we began the bus-bus-metro-train-walk ride home for a much needed nap.

Emerging later that evening, we walked directly south, crossing the Sine river to experience the after-dark Latin District. SO many restaurants, with servers standing out in the streets, trying to lure anyone they could inside. We settled on a small Greek restaurant where we enjoyed a Gyro each, while trying to understand what was being said on TV. Apparently, judging from those around us, it was pretty entertaining.

(Can you spot the Eiffel Tower?)

Before walking home, we picked up a crepe schmeered with Nutella goodness.  We also ducked into a variety chocolate and carmel shop, sampling a few and grabbing one of each kind of carmel for Robert and Gail.

As we exited the chocolate shop, it hit us how tired we were after a 1/2 day of Versailles and a long Paris walk. That combined with the threat of another rain storm brought us down to the metro for a ride home.