We had been warned that the lines at Versailles could be long, so we set our alarm clocks and left our apartment at 8:15 am. One metro, two trains, and a 1/2 km walk later we arrived at Versailles. It was 9:50 am and the line was already snaking half-way around the courtyard. Amazingly, by 10:30 we were in the front gate and ready to see all that Louis XIV had to show us.
And old Louis didn't disappoint. The palace was splendid. The first room we walked into took our breath away. We spent several minutes in the second room looking at all the magnificence. Somewhere in room 4, 5, or 6, we found ourselves saying, "Look kids, there's another amazing marble statue under that priceless painted ceiling." I started making promises about future Pokemon Go time. And in the Hall of Mirrors ante-room we caught our first Pidgey. It was around that point that a family member who will remain nameless decided they desperately needed to use the royal facilities, so we quickly made our way through Louis' bedroom to where us visiting peasants were welcomed to relax.
After our quick break, we exited the building to enjoy Versailles's gardens. They were truly stunning. We were lucky to be visiting on an 80 degree day when they were playing music throughout the gardens and also had musical water displays, see below. We enjoyed a light lunch, followed by gelato, and had fun taking photos of each other throughout the different gardens for the afternoon.
At the end of the day we had walked over 22,000 steps and were hot, tired, and hungry. Pretty sure #XIV never had the same problems, but we still are happy to have gotten a little insight into life as a king, even if just for one day.
Versailles! How about those chandeliers? :) I hope you all have a fabulous year abroad. Safe travels. BBoehler
ReplyDelete