Versailles

Here we are at the Palace of Versailles just outside of Paris, France. We headed out early this morning as to get in the front of the long queues that form at the ticket offices. We tried ordering them online at the hotel but no luck. But we did get really lucky and found a free parking spot on the street about 3 blocks from the palace...it was pretty interesting trying to ask people passing by if it was okay to park there not knowing any French and not being able to read the parking meters. The Palace was so beautiful and so big.












We had grabbed audio guides to listen to, but they ended up being means of keeping the children occupied. We were some of the first 50 or so people to get in the house and then a mad rush of people were behind us so we had to push through the first 10 rooms or so to get out of the crowd. At one point I actually heard a tour guide say to her group "Go ahead and just push your way up to the front to get some of these people out of your way"


















We couldn't bring our pushchair in the house nor our backpack carrier so the kids had to walk on their own which made things a bit challenging. I turned on the camcorder and started to record random rooms so that I could look back at what I was passing by so quickly while holding Harrison at some times. Kevin managed to take the camera from me and take lots of pictures inside the house.


















The Palace was over the top ornate and reminded me a lot of the Vatican in that regards (plus the mass of people herding through the place). This is the Chapel which you can only see from the open doorway.












The Hall of Mirrors is one of the most famous rooms in the world. It is filled with 17 arched windows that face out to the gardens and across the room from each window are 17 arched collages of mirrors. What a grand room for parties and to recieve guests at the palace. The kiddos and I did a little dancing for fun.



















After the Hall of Mirrors we walked through the War Room where they signed the Treaty of Versailles after WWI. Then we filtered into Marie Antionette's bedroom which was absolutley amazing. From the elaborate wallpaper to bedding and furniture, she was a lady with an expensive taste.


















Addie and I enjoyed this painting and thought we'd join in the tea party.













I really liked this couch. It was so big and almost like a double bed in size.













We made our way out to the gardens with some dodgey weather predicted for the day. We did have a special treat in store for us though. Since it was Sunday they do a special music show with the fountains twice during the day. Here I am with the Latona Fountain and the view extends all the way down through the garden to the Neptune Fountain and Grand Canal.



















Here we are looking back at the western fascade of the palace with the fountains now shooting off. The statues throughout the gardens are so amazing and the sheer number of them is astounding.











Down a tier and looking back at the western side of the palace and back at the Latona Fountain while it was going off.































The Apollo Fountain































Between the water fountain shows we headed out towards the Marie Antionette Estate to walk through the gardens and the Hamlet's Village. It was a good 20 minute walk from the main garden so we took this as an opportunity to get Addison to fall asleep which was great, but then Harry woke up so now he got to enjoy some of the gardens.


















Marie Antionette wanted a country retreat for her and her children to enjoy so she had Shakespear's Hamlet recreated in village form. We had a brief 3-4 minute downpour which we got a bit of shelter at one of the quaint historic French houses and were lucky to be there at the time. There is a beautiful little lake that is surrounded by these amazing period houses that were built just for the queen to have a retreat not to far from home.













An interesting site to see flowers growning out of the roof.











I loved the thatched rooves.



















There is also a farm on the MA estate that we walked around and the kids quite enjoyed. Kevin and I thought this tree was quite interesting since it looked quite healthy but the majority of the truck at the bottom was gone!!!


















We made our way back through the Grand Trianon gardens before getting back to the main Versaille Gardens to see the second fountain show. This time we made it to the north side of the gardens. We ate lunch at this fountain area and Addison was just entranced by it. She thought it was the coolest thing that this giant was trying to dig his way out from mountains that had been dumped on him (as the story is told behind it's meaning). The water spuing from his mouth is one of the tallest shooting fountains at the gardens. It comes out with quite a force and is really impressive.











I think what made the day for us was the fountains show and eventhough it cost a bit extra to enter the palace that day it was totally worth it. This was just a cascade of water over massive rocks and fountains shooting up in the middle of each. Kevin and I were trying to guesstimate how much water they had to go through to run these things...it was amazing!!!

















We were at the palace, estates, and gardens for over 8 hours and we only saw about 75% of things and could have spent longer. We could now see why people rented the little golf carts for 30 Euro a half hour to get around to see everthing and get through the huge labyrinth of hedges, statues, fountains, and flowers. It was an absolutely amazing place. We were actually kind of glad that the weather was a little gloomy because it could have gotten very hot walking around if it were actually sunny....go figure. A definite must see if you are in the Paris area!!!