D131 -- Those crazy royals

Despite the overcast weather we decided to visit the Palace and Gardens of Versailles today. Getting there on the train was a little bit of a challenge (always consult the guide book!) but we eventually found our way to the right train and then the right stop. It was drizzling and chilly during our 10-minute walk to the palace, and as we got closer it really started to rain. We were scrambling to one of the entrances when a British man and his two companions stopped us and asked us if we spoke English. He wanted to know if we needed tickets and when we told him we did he handed us two all-day passes, worth 20 Euro each and entitling us to free audio tours. He refused to take any money from us, so he basically saved us $50! How cool is that?


The palace was crowded, but not so bad that you couldn't maneuver. It was really beautiful, and impressive in its size and decor. We saw the King's Chamber, the rooms of the Dauphin's Apartments, and those of the Mesdames' Apartments. The title “Dauphin” was given to the King's first-born son and the Mesdames were his sisters. I guess any brothers lived in their own palaces? All of these rooms were filled with beautiful paintings, silk wall coverings, elaborate plaster work, ornate furniture, chandeliers, and painted ceilings like this one. No wonder the masses revolted in 1789!



The highlight of the visit was the Hall of Mirrors, whichwas built in the 1600s with windows overlooking the garden on one side and enormous mirrors on the other. Mirrors that large were quite a luxury in those days. And the ceiling, like many rooms in the palace, was covered in exquisite paintings. I imagine that by 17th century standards, this room must have been as over-the-top as one of the rooms in Donald Trump's penthouse, only classier. Half of the hall is currently undergoing restoration and was closed off. It was still a sight to see, though, and we were really appreciative that they were doing the work in halves.

Thomas had enough palace for the day, and went to wander in the gardens while I spent another hour in the palace. I got to see the Royal “Chapel,” which was more like a small cathedral, the King's State Apartments, and the Queen's Apartment – including the room where Marie Antoinette was sleeping when the crowd came for her and the king. One of the interesting things I learned about the Queen's Apartment - all the queens who gave birth there had to do so publicly to ensure that the heirs were really theirs. I'm glad the royal families no longer put women through such public humiliation. Oh, wait! Didn't Princess Diana have to undergo a pelvic exam before her wedding to “guarantee her virginity?”




After I finished the tour we met back up in the gardens. They're highly manicured plots filled with over 400 statues and fountains. We tried to walk along the banks of the 3.5 meter-long Grand Canal that cuts through the center of the garden, but by then our feet were starting to give out so we snapped a few pictures and started back to Paris. I really enjoyed the visit to Versailles. I think Thomas did too, but dinner was probably the biggest highlight of the day for him. He had take away pizza at a place called Cafe Positano and he said it was the best pizza he's had on the whole trip.

-Elva