Based on our experience at the Louvre, Rodin, D’Orsay, AND Fontainebleau, we didn’t think we needed to wake up all that early for Versailles, as we finished the other sites relatively quickly (when we allocated whole days for each). We knew the schedule for when the RER C train (basically the only train that goes to Versailles from Paris) would leave, but as it was every 15 minutes, we weren’t all that worried about timing. Turns out we were wrong! We planned to get to Versailles around 9AM since that’s when the gardens open (actual chateau opens at 9:30AM) but when we got there at 9:30AM (we slept past the alarm… oops!), the line was HUGE!!! That’s the line of people behind Angel (worst than Disneyland!):
Check out the gorgeous front gate… wish I had one like that!
As with Fontainebleau, over the years, kings changed, tore, built new wings and rooms to the chateau. There are huge Greek pantheon style wings in front now, but Angel said she didn’t like them because it doesn’t go along with the rest of the buildings architectural style. I said if only they had painted gold on the columns and ceiling reliefs, it would totally match! ~__^ … to which I got an eye-roll
After getting through security and picking up the audioguides, the first room we saw was the Chapel where Louis XIV attended mass everyday. He became more and more devoted to the church toward the latter of his life and ordered a grand chapel built to pay homage to his religion.
The ballroom, as well as the hallway to the King and Queen’s apartments. LOVE this room! All the chandeliers, the ceiling paintings, and gilded gold detailing on just about everything!
Louis XIV’s bed, which was quite public as he conducted business in his bed. There are seats surrounding the royal bed for his official attendants, as well as a gold balustrade where he could receive dignitaries without leaving the confines of his bed with the dignitaries on the other side of the balustrade.
Louis XIV’s office, where he met with his council and ministers.
Marie-Antoinette lived her lavish life here in Versailles. Her bedroom:
Again, what is with royalty and vanity going hand-in-hand? Her bust is on the marble, right in front of the mirror where she could see herself every moment she was in her bedroom.
And the hidden door and passageway in her room was where she made her escape, when French protesters stormed Versailles. Ironically, it was due to a baguette shortage that the peasants became so incensed. They demanded the king to remove his guards so that they could protest without fear of repercussions. The king, Louis XVI, having at that point realized the enormity of this situation, became indecisive if he and his family should escape France or not. He bowed to the will of the public, ordering most of his guards to leave the chateau. The day protestors stormed the chateau and captured the king, his remaining guards were beheaded and their heads set on pikes. *shudder* Gruesome!
Another hidden door… can you spot it?
This hall is a snapshot of France’s historical decisive turning points for the better. All are paintings by famous French painters of significant battles won by France, telling stories of courage and sacrifice for the glory of France. The hall was commissioned by Louis-Phillippe, the first elected king of France and brother to the beheaded Louis XVI. As Versailles was looted and fell into disrepair after the storming of Versailles, Louis-Phillippe set out to restore Versailles and it was due to his efforts that the public can see the chateau today.
The paintings are arranged clock-wise, in chronological order. They had a painting of Jean d’Arc (Joan of Arc), celebrating her heroism and sacrifice…. But I thought it was the French that burnt her alive?
A SMALL portion of the gardens:
Versailles, the one we see and think of, is only a small part of the whole estate. When you look at the map (included in ticket price), it is not even 1/16th of the entire estate! A large portion of it is hunting grounds. There are other buildings on the estate, one of which is the Grand Trianon. You can either buy the passport for entrance to Versailles, the gardens, Grand and Petit Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s Domain for 18 euros or pay for each site separately (not worth it, as the entrance to Grand Trianon alone is 10 euros!). The walk from Versailles chateau to the Grand Trianon alone is a 25 minute walk, or you can buy a tram ride for 7 euros There is NO way we’re paying 7 eurso for that! So we walked there, getting lost only once! We’re improving!
Grand Trianon is a smaller palace where the royal couple held intimate gatherings. They played pool, cards, and music.
The Petit Trianon was Marie-Antoinette’s little escape. The staircase bears her initials
Although the chateau itself is already HUGE, Marie Antoinette insisted on hamlet for herself, where she could play the farm girl in her hamlet, with a flock of perfumed sheep. She retreated here more and more as the Revolutionists came to power. Doesn't this remind you of Sleeping Beauty's cottage??
Her flock of sheep... there was ONE black sheep in the midst of an entirely white flock!
She was very fond of the theater and of acting. Acting was how she learned French, as she is native to Austria.
We walked around Versailles from basically 9:30am to 4pm. There is so much to see here! The walk left us quite starved and we got lunch/dinner in the town surrounding the chateau. Angel had mapped out boulangeries beforehand so we hit those up, filling up on croque monsieurs and croissant chocolat et amandes.
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