Our day trip to Versailles

On our second day in Paris, we took a bus, traveled about 45 min. outside the city, to see Versailles. The Versailles Palace was the Royal Residence built by King Louis XIV, starting in 1668. It was the largest palace in Europe, and housed 20,000 people at a time. Seriously, it's like a small city...and we only saw a small part of it! It was the royal residence through the time of Louis XVI and his Queen, Marie-Antoinette, who were beheaded by the French revolutionists in the late 1700's. Versailles was, in a way, one of the causes of the French Revolution. The Parisians were so poor and starving, and here, the King was living in such opulence. It was so interesting to see in person such a fascinating place that hold so much history.

The Main Entrance gates...gilded in gold...EVERYTHING is gilded in gold! (makes me think how much more amazing Heaven will be!)

At the back of the Main Palace are the Gardens of Versailles. Topiaries like these line every pathway.

Just one of the many fountains.

This is looking from the back of the palace. Versailles is so huge...it takes an hour to walk from the palace to the end of the gardens.

The back of the palace, looking up from the gardens.

One of the massive paintings in Versailles. This particular one is of Napoleon's coronation.

The King's bedchamber. The tapestries, hangings, railing, etc. are all original to the time of King Louis XVI, who was the last king to live here. The railing was interesting to me...only the King was allowed past the railing. His servants could only pass if they were summoned. It was his "privacy." Not so private if you ask me!

Another shot of the King's bedchamber

This is funny...when I saw these cherubs, I thought of Payton! The dimpled buns and chubby legs look just like her!!!!!!

The great Hall of Mirrors. It runs about the length of the Main Palace. One side is all arched windows that look out over the gardens. Opposite the windows, in PERFECT symmetry are arched mirrors. The opulent chandeliers, gold mouldings, and paintings are truly spectacular. This was the location of many royal events, including weddings, dinners, balls, etc. If I remember correctly, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors.

Robb and I were being pretty silly at this point...taking our own picture in the mirror!

Check out the chandeliers! I thought about snatching one for my dining room (hee, hee!)

Hall of Mirrors

The Queen's bedchamber.

One of the ceilings/moldings...just amazing.

Looking out over the gardens from the Palace.

The Palace Chapel was Louis XIV's last addition to Versailles.

Entrance to the chapel.

Outside the Palace...you see on the left side, where the gilding has been restored. On the right side, it is all gray. This is the exact same thing, only roof and molding on the left side has been restored. Versailles is currently under major restoration efforts on the exterior.

Tourist entrance to Versailles. The more "simple" buildings on either side were political buildings, residences of other "lesser" people, etc. Down the center of the picture, you see the gates and entrance to the Main Palace.

Going to Versailles was such a great trip. I definitely want to go again, and allow more time to visit the gardens and the Chateau of Versailles!