The Palace of Versailles was one of my favorite stops during our trip to Paris last year. We hired a tour guide who took us from our hotel to the Palace, gave us an amazing tour and then got us safely back at the completion. It was money very well spent. When we travel we tend to shy away from tour groups and bus tours but on this occasion we found this to be the absolutely best way to experience this amazing place in all of its glory.
The Palace of Versailles was the main royal residence of France from 1682 until the rule of Louis XIV until the start of the French Revolution in 1789 under the rule of Louis XVI. It is located about 12 miles southwest of the city of Paris so it was an easy day trip for us to take.
To sum up the experience is very difficult. The opulence and excess of the furnishings and the lifestyle boggled my mind. In fact it still does as I look at our pictures from that day.
As per normal for me one of the favorite parts of the day was when we were able to escape the throngs of people clambering around the palace and spend time in the massive and elaborate gardens. I am always happy when I can stroll outside in the beauty and I suspect I am not alone in that.
Today’s post shows just a few of the magnificent views from the gardens. Carefully sculpted and manicured hedges and landscaping laid out before us and as we ambled around on a somewhat steamy day we enjoyed the opportunity to gaze at natural beauty.
Sculptures and pools of water accentuated the scenery and we witnessed numerous tourists, like us, taking advantage of the photography opportunities that were simply everywhere.
When we got home I purchased a huge coffee table book that shows all of the wonderful things that we were able to experience during our time at Versailles but I still love being able to look at my own actual captures of the day even if they are not as professional. To know that we were able to experience and witness such history is priceless.
Have you been to Versailles? I know some of my readers have and I would love to hear your reactions as well. Leave me a comment and remember that each comment this month means a 50 cent donation to our Comments for a Cause – Books for Africa.
A new Cause will be shared on October 1st so make sure to stop by then as well.
11 Comments
Leave a commentLove these photos! I went to Versailles with Allison and Leslie in 2006. We went with their high school group and it was amazing. The day we went to Versailles was a cloudy, rainy, chilly day but that did not dampen the beauty and majesty of the place. Your post today brought back wonderful memories of a day shared with two of my sweet children.
I visited Versailles in May and loved it. We didn’t get to see much of the gardens so it was great to see your photos. Thanks for sharing. Next time i will make sure to wander the gardens. I especially want to see the fountain of Apollo with the horses, but is was too far for my travelling companions to walk.
Beautiful! The photos are wonderful.
Thanks, Shirley! I love being able to share these with you.
I’ve never been in Paris and will probably never go. I lack the kind of reverence for old Europe that some Americans feel…what struck me about these photos was how much the design of the palace and statuary has been copied by the kind of hotels that now stand out as “having seen better days.” In real life I’m sure it’s grander, but still…! The garden still seems unique.
Yes! I can see that the design has been copied time and time again. I marvel at the architecture and I am one of those Americans who can stand in awe at those structures. The gardens were really fun to walk around.
I’m sure it’s an amazing place. We are hoping to go back to Germany in June for Ashley’s 16th Birthday and if we have time we may take the train to Paris for a few days… fingers crossed. I would love to see Versailles for sure.
I hope you can make that happen. It is such a wonderful place and so full of amazing things. I look at my pictures and feel transported back there.
These photos are so beautiful. I was just looking for a good biography to read about Marie Antoinette.
I don’t have any recommendations on books about her, can you believe it? But I am sure there are tons out there that are really good!
Whoa! I’ve never seen the equal to this landscaping. Let them eat cake indeed.