My biggest goal of this trip was to see the gardens of Versailles. On our last trip we went to see the palace and gardens and got as far as seeing the palace when a dreadful downpour ensued which kept us from seeing the gardens. I am determined to see those gardens today! And the weather is cooperating! Thank you, God!
One of the dreaded aspects of aging is having "parts" give you difficulty. My knee is one of those "parts" and today it is giving me a bad time. But I want to see those darn gardens!! I can't believe my eyes...you can rent golf carts to drive through the gardens. Yippee!! And what a great decision to rent these carts it turns out to be. I had no idea how large the gardens are; they're approximately 250 acres in size. They're beyond immense!!
As we drive along and enjoy the views, we are stopped by young folks begging to know where to rent the carts...and all their "parts" are in working order! Even though we keep this cart for quite some time...to see the gardens and the trianons (buildings far out into the gardens)...so the fee is high...80 euros....but we all agree it was money well spent. (There are also crowded trams taking people around the gardens, but to go at our own pace was wonderful.)
The Grand Trianon is described this way on the Chateau de Versailles home page:
In 1687 Jules Hardouin Mansart built the Grand Trianon, probably the most refined group of buildings anywhere in the domain of Versailles, on the site of the “Porcelain Trianon”, which Louis XIV had had erected in 1670 to escape the pomp and rigid formality of court life with his mistress Madame de Montespan.
While looking up this bit of information about the Grand Trianon, I also looked up Marie Antoinette's estate. I had thought we had seen it. I had thought her home was the Petit Trianon. But evidently we missed the queen's hamlet!! Yikes! We need to return!
After two and a half hours of viewing the gardens and Trianons, we finally head to the Chateau. This is the home of the famous Hall of Mirrors. It is where the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I was signed, and has been used as the backdrop of many commercials. The chateau rooms are beautiful and the furnishings are exquisite. And the ceilings! Again, the ceilings floor me!
John, as well as the rest of us, are amazed that we have seen this "with our very own eyes". My, we are blessed!
in the Hall of Mirrors
This is the theme photo of our trip. Which way should
we go? Which way should we go??
More views of the Chateau of Versailles:
would have loved to have seen the magnificent fountains flowing
the royal carriage
the chapel
the king not only had feathers in his cap,
but on his headboard as well
luxury is all about the details
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