There were reasons; always reasons.
I ran out of time.
There was a transportation strike.
I planned to visit on a Monday and they were closed.
Trip after trip to Paris, France and still I hadn’t seen Versailles.
Until this one!
Gare St. Lazare to Versailles, and then a short walk to the Palace of Versailles.
…and a long line through security. And then past the gates…
From floor…
….to ceiling
To the Hall of Mirrors…
…and hamming it up in front of the mirrors…
Royal bed chambers…
Art and sculptures…
…Sunset across the gardens…
Still too much to see in one afternoon. I did not get to the hunting cabin in the woods, but I don’t mind. It’s an assurance I’ll want to revisit and have something new and interesting there to pull me back.
Until next visit…Au revoir Versailles.
Renee Johnson is the author of Acquisition, and The Haunting of William Gray. She is currently working on a Young Adult novel, while editing a suspense novel which has international flair–an homage to her love of travel and foreign food. She lives on a farm in North Carolina with her husband, Tony Johnson, and one very spoiled German shepherd named Gretel.
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So happy to hear you made it, Renee! Thanks for sharing your photographs, they’re stunning!
Oh thank you Jill. I was thrilled to finally get past the gates into the Palace. It was worth the wait.
I was there 10 years ago and loved it! Don’t you wish you could’ve hidden beneath one of the beds and emerged after closing so that you can explore it all on your own? Imagine having the entire palace and grounds to yourself! Now that would be something to write about. Sigh.
Wonderfully devious thought.
Wonderfully devious indeed! Yes, Monica and Lee, that would have been a fabulous adventure–like Goldilocks–frolicking about the palace, snooping in the drawers and cupboards….Love it!
Amazingly beautiful. Thanks for sharing it with us. The Hall of Mirrors must be impressive in person.
Everything is so impressive in person, it is nearly impossible to imagine living there. But I must confess, it made me want to eat cake!
LOL A sign of a great place!
Especially when it has been built up in my mind for years…often a sure sign I’ll be disappointed in reality.
I think my favorite visit to the Hall of Mirrors was when it was under renovation. Statues tipped over, goldsmiths applying gold leaf to the décor, electric cables and ladders and workmen everywhere. I can only take so much excessive opulence. 😉
Even in renovation there is beauty to found in its dishevelment. I suppose maintenance is a nightmare for such a palace. Aah…but worth it.
Great pictures! I remember going there by bus many moons ago on a boiling hot summer’s day. The gardens were the thing that drew me – all that symmetry – marvellous!
Can you imagine being the gardener there? I want to just stay nearby the next time I visit Paris and roam through the gardens every day, sit there and write, people watch. Amazing place.
Beautiful! It’s a bit overdone for my simple tastes, but quite a place to hang one’s hat. And head, too for that matter.
Oh yes, a bit over the top for sure. But, when your gates are that golden, what lies beyond must be as well.
Someone not far from where I live — in the high rent district — is building a replica — called “Chateau Lumiere”. BARF!
Wow! The Biltmore House in Asheville is supposedly built on it as well, but I can’t imagine living in it either. Maybe they will have you over for tea…and cake!
I saw Versailles before and after the renovation and was blown away each time. Would love to go back.
How was it before the renovation? This is my first time there and it was amazing. And I love the attitude with which the French regard the art and opulence, allowing it to be photographed, keeping admission low so everyone can share in the culture. It was a nice experience.
Everything was much darker, especially the Hall of Mirrors! I was amazed at the vibrant colors in the paintings.
Yes, it was wonderful being able to take photographs. I was kind of surprised that the rooms weren’t air conditioned–we are kind of fanatical about climate control in our museums. 🙂
Cheers to you for making getting there … and many thanks for sharing, after all, I haven’t seen this magnificent place … yet!
Thank you Frank. Somehow, I believe you will. Too much history here not to pay homage, even if it is near impossible to imagine living in such opulence.
Given you love travel, I’ve got a whole series of posts on my latest.
Love it! I have an ongoing love affair with France too! Glad you finally got to realize your dream of visiting this magnificent palace! ~ Sheila
Good for you, Renee. Glad you finally made it AND it lived up to expectations. I’ve been to Paris twice and missed Versailles twice. Maybe next time.
A good excuse to return, Linda! Worth every minute. You’d love the sweeping views…