Home of a King

Tuesday we awoke to gray skies and wet streets. After a fast breakfast we jumped onto the RER C and journeyed to Versailles located on the outskirts of Paris. Tom did some research and found a package that included round trip train fare and admission for 21 euros. We figured we saved about 4 euros per person purchasing this way. It also saved us some time as we didn't have to stand in line at the train station and again on the longest line at the chateau. There are other packages too: Parc Disneyland, Parc Asterik; so if you come, be sure to check for these bargains.

A short 10 minute walk from the train station in Versailles is the chateau. We admired as much of the facade as we could but several areas, including what I assume were statues, were covered up; I guess they are doing some restoration. None of the founntains were on either.

The King Louis XIV built the chateau to function as a hunting lodge and get away from everyone in Paris. However, everyone followed. So he built the Grand Trianon and then the Petit Trianon (for Marie Antoinette). Originally the estate was over 7,800 hectares in size with a wall all the way around it. Today it is a mere 800 hectares.

The tour started in the front interior. Since there were so many people, we decided to start in the back of the estate and work our way forward. A large majority of the other visitors were entering the chateau first. This turned out to be a very good decision.

While we could have walked, we decided to take the mini-train from the chateau to Marie-Antoinette's estate. We exited at the Petit Trianon to tour the house and rest of the Queen's Hamlet. The estate included a small village that is said to have been a playground for the royals to pretend to be peasants. Judging from the houses and yards, the royals were very out of touch as the homes not only had glass windows, solid doors and full roofs, but had marble floors and tables as well. No wonder the people revolted!

We walked the garden paths checking out the plants, the Queen's Theatre, the Rock and Grotto, and the Chapel. The mix of flowering plants with a variety lettuces, artichoke plants, squashes, and rhubarb gave the yards a wonderful texture.

A short two minute walk down the road is the Grand Trianon which is located near the Grand Canal. What struck me was the red marble pillars in the front. The gardens were exquisite and well maintained. Lots of flowers in bloom. It must look incredible with the fountains on.

We headed back to the Chateau and the crowds were minimal by this time. The grandeur of the King's Chapel, the State Apartments and chambers were impressive. Seemed like everything (walls, ceilings, and floors) were decorated. The paintings on the ceilings were very detailed and reflected the king's focus at the time and the function of the room.

Our decision to tour the trianons first was good because the sun was out while we were there. While we were inside the chateau, dark clouds rolled and the rain came down hard, with the wind blowing it nearly horizontal.

The chateau closed at 6:00PM. We headed back to Paris and exited the train at the Eiffle Tower for one last close up look and a boat tour on the Seine. The tour gave a brief history of 22 bridges of Paris as well as a description and history of some of the buildings on the bank. This was a great way to end our day.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Wonder if that is where Hugh Hefner got the idea for his grotto. (Karen De Lora looking at the Rock with waterfall and pond on Marie Antoinette's estate)