You don’t need me to tell you about Versailles, right? You already know all about it. And whatever else you need to know (directions, tickets, etc) you can get here.
I’ll just give you the one tip that gardens are free, and if you only have a few hours, better just to buy the passport for the Chateau, and not for the Trianon and the Hamlet.
And if you didn’t bring a picnic lunch, it’s better to go eat at a restaurant in the city center (5 minute’s walk) than to eat at the café in the Chateau.
We didn’t bring a picnic lunch for obvious reasons.
The line moves super fast and you’ll soon find yourself inside staring at the centuries-old corridors of the front hall.
And if the line is stuck at a standstill to get those audio handsets, don’t worry. Once they bring a new batch in, you will fly right through there.
But enough talk about Versailles, let me show you Versailles.
The old floors with wooden pegs instead of nails.
The worn marble floors next to the French doors.
The staircases.
The French windows
The view from the windows.
The ceilings
and more ceilings.
The lights –
oh, the lights!
The Hall of Mirrors.
The brocade wallpaper
in all sorts of colors –
rich jewel tones
in stately rooms, befitting a king.
The molding
the panels
the locks
the – um … I don’t know what this is supposed to hold!
And the sculpted walls.
Once upon a time here, you would eat, drink
and be merry.
But only if you were willing to shack up with a dude like Louis The Desired.
Tempted much?
PS. When we went, there was a modern exposition in the Chateau with Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries set in the Hall of Battles
and giant glass slippers, 
and (what I imagine would very well be)
Marie Antoinette’s helicopter – if she could have such a thing.
What do you think? Do you like seeing the modern sculptures set against history? Or do you want to storm the chateau screaming “Sacrilege!”
I love exploring Versailles and have had just as many amazing days outside in the gardens, at the petit trianon, the farm and biking through the park – I love this spot!
I’m sure you would be more of a wealth of information than I am on this one. I’ve only been 3 times, I think. I do love the gardens though, when it’s not pouring rain.
We’d sometimes go with our guests and while they toured the chateau, we’d go set up our picnic. I have so many cute pictures of Clara laying on a blanket in the hameau. It was a walk, but always worth it for the quiet and to picture Marie Antoinette walking around in her peasant clothes.
I do need to go to the hamlet – I confess I’ve not been. I have picnicked in the gardens though, which is fab! I bet Clara looked like she belonged there. (Which she does – come back!)
You know those glass slippers appeals to the shoe lover in me, but OhEmGee, that last one!
I know! You should have seen the back of it. Pink feathers galore.
What fun… though yes, I think that would be crazy to see that modern art in an old palace! I guess it had to be “over the top” to fit in.
That’s probably why they commissioned that particular artist – because her style fit if any style does.
Sacrilege! 🙂 🙂 It is such a beautiful, history filled place. Seems wrong to have those contemporary “art” pieces there. I love the gardens and the bike ride best!
I’m probably leaning more towards your opinion, although it worked surprisingly well given what the sculptures were.
I think I like the juxtaposition of the modern and the historical. Of course, we were there once, so I might feel differently if the magic of the “first” visit was interrupted with that fabulous helicopter!
There’s nothing like the opulence (and of course the gorgeous patina) of that particular style.
I think you made a good point. If it’s the first visit, it might be disappointing.
Have I told you that I am jealous of you lately?
I would love to visit and just stare at all the wonderfullness. it has so much character. If only those walls could talk eh?
Don’t be jealous of me! I’m a pip-sqeak living in a cool place. You said it about those walls – if they could talk!
I’m kind of not feeling the modern sculptures amongst all the palpable history.
You also forgot to include the last picture – the one of you holding a sign that says, “Jenni Chiu come visit. You can stay with me for freeeee.”
So very beautiful. Well. Until the end. The end got a little scary.
I don’t know about mixing the modern in with the history. It doesn’t feel quite right….but that doesn’t necessarily make it wrong. (how’s that for indecisive?)
You pretty much expressed how I feel about it, indecisive or not.
No on the modern sculptures. With incredible art on the ceilings and all that architecture, who would want to look at anything else?
Loved seeing Versailles again.
Thank you for a lovely share. 🙂
Love the details!!
Have you had a chance to go yet Emily? I’m sure you will soon!
Oh, Jennie: this was so lovely, I had to feature it on my weekly “best of the internet” post today.
LOVED this, and love having you take me on all these things that are so different from my life.
Can’t wait to see you in Chicago!
Thank you dear friend – you are so sweet to feature me! One day you will come and see all this for yourself. I just know it because you’re that kind of adventurous person (even if you don’t know it yet).
Sacrilege! But pretty cool to see modern sculpture juxtaposed against the historical features. I love Versailles. Thanks for the pictures – I felt right there again!
Hi KeAnne, thanks for visiting! I’m of a double mind about it too. I like things to stay classic, but if they were to do something modern, I’d say this is the way to go. I’m pretty sure it’s a Portuguese woman artist because I saw a special on her and the art looks just like hers. (How many could create something like that?)