A Winter Day at Versailles

Day 5

Versailles has always been more than a royal palace. It began as a hunting lodge and was continuously expanded until Louis XIV finally abandoned the Palace of the Louvre and moved to Versailles. Along with him he brought the government of France. The Palace was expanded continuously and today contains 721,206 Square Feet including offices, residences, museums, galleries, an opera house and a church. But it is its site that truly boggles the mind. Versailles encompasses over 2000 acres. At one time there were over 60,000 residents living at the palace.

It is really easy and inexpensive (3.6 E) to take the RER C train to Versailles. And you can't really mess up you just get off at the end of the line.

Versailles

One of the Restored Ceilings

Another Ceiling*

Roadboy in the Hall of Mirrors*

  

Comparison Illustrating Restoration Efforts

This is where Marie Antoinette tried (and failed) to escape the mobs through a secret passage from her upstairs bedroom.

Since the revolution the palace has been deemed a historic site subject to continuous restoration. It is just such a marvelous place to visit when the crowds of Paris start to make you crazy.

The Tree Lined Roads on the Grounds*

Sunset At Versailles*

Like the Louvre, this is a place that really requires at least 2 days to see it all. Our visit allowed for the main palace, but we barely go to walk on the grounds and have no time to visit the Grand and Petit Trianon or Marie Antoinette's Cottages.

Tomorrow a visit to the Paris Catacombs!

Roadboy's Travels © 2015

(*Thanks to Scott for the Photos)