DAY 5 Wednesday
Versailles! One of the DO NOT MISS sites. We opted to purchase the museum pass rather than the one-day passport, b/c we knew we’d be visiting other museums and we had the Carte Orange zone 1-5, so we didn’t need the RER tickets that came with the one day.
We arrived at Versailles not long after opening…or should I say the scheduled opening time. The chateau open two hours late due to an association meeting. Not a huge issue…it was still going to open. The frustrating thing was that meant more people waiting there to go in all at once! It actually ended up working to our benefit and with the museum pass we were able to breeze on in. Thankfully the crowds weren’t too bad inside. We toured the state apartments. I was thankful that at least half of the hall of mirrors was open. It’s truly magnificent! I know that renovation work can be annoying to tourists, but it’s something that must be done, so that it remains preserved and beautiful for generations to come. The windows were boarded up in the queen’s apartment and another rooms along I believe the south side of the chateau, but we were still able to walk through and look. After we finished the state apartments we went to entrance D and purchased additional tickets for a guided tour of the private apartments and opera house. Now, normally I think that these tours fill up rather quickly. However with everyone waiting in line to still get into the chateau not many people were there to get the additional tours. We had about 30 minutes to kill before our tour started so we found a warm spot to sit in the sun and have a snack and read up on Versailles history. Then we went into the gift shop and the sweetest man in there let my mom have his chair so she could rest her feet. While mom rested I struck up a conversation with him. We discussed all the different places we traveled over the years, the weather and accents in different regions. It was fun because when he found out we were from the U.S. he started speaking in English and told me about all the places he’s been in the U.S. and I continued to speak in French. We helped each other out with the words we couldn’t find. I just treasure experiences like that.
If anyone has an opportunity to take an additional tour I highly recommend it! It was so interesting and nice to be able to be in the rooms with a smaller group of people. The private apartments of Louis XV-XVI have been renovated within the last fifteen years thanks to many donations. There are still other rooms in the process of being renovated, so hopefully in the next few years or decade there will be a new-guided tour to go on. There are really some prized possessions that Versailles has been able to acquire back to the chateau as well as some things that remained untouched during the revolution. The tour ends with a visit to the opera house. The beautiful re-woven powder blue curtain is patterned with the fleur de lis. There is also just a great history about the opera house and the manpower and money that it took to run it. During shows…every three hours 3000 candles had to be replaced. And the architect designed the floor underneath the pit to be raised and serve as an extension to the stage, for when the king had banquets. These banquets were considered to be a show…the actors—the royal family. People would come to watch the king and others eat. I love French history!
We still had plenty of time and sun (unfortunately there was a brisk wind) to go and explore the gardens. So, we rented one of the very popular electric cars to go out to the hamlet and trianons. My mom’s feet and legs would have fallen off if we’d tried to walk it. The 28 Euros/Hr was worth it…and we’d do it again. We had so much fun I can’t even tell you. There are certain paths that you can take the cars on…and if you go off the path…the car stops and you must back up. Classical music plays as you are driving along and there’s a recorded narration that comes on when you come to certain fountains and places in the gardens. We drove out to the hamlet and quickly took some pictures then parked and went into the Petit Trianon. Time didn’t allow for us to go to the Grand Trianon, but we were satisfied with all that we had seen and done. So, we went as fast as that little car would let us--which isn’t that fast so, you don’t miss out on an sightseeing by any means. We turned in our car and headed towards the RER station. Along the way we stopped and got some lunch…late lunch and did a little bit of shopping.
For dinner I ran to the store and couscous that is ready in 30 minutes. Just open the can of tomatoes, basil, olive oil and other herbs and add it to the couscous…and then let it sit. Grabbed a fresh baguette and some cheese and we had a lovely easy dinner.
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What a great day you had. I missed Versailles on my trip, so it is now definately on my list for my return trip! Keep it coming!
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Thank you for another great trip report - you and mummy are having the time of your life !
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Thanks for the report! We are planning on doing a private tour as well, so I%26#39;m glad you enjoyed it. I haven%26#39;t done too much research on Versailles, yet! However, the little cars seem like a treat, so I%26#39;ll add that to our list as well.
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