Wonderland

Lower gardens : Palace of Versailles : Versailles, FR

The gardens at Versailles are vast and quite beautiful. While I wasn't overly enthusiastic about the view of the landscaping from the ground level on the upper terrace (too much dirt, not enough flowers), I was quite taken by the gardens on the subterranean terrace. They made me think of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, because they were symmetrical, but whimsical.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Hall of Mirrors

The Hall of Mirrors : Palace of Versailles : Versailles, FR

The pièce de résistance of Versailles is the Hall of Mirrors. The Hall's fame comes from the seventeen mirrors that reflect the light streaming in from seventeen windows, which feature a view of the palace's gardens. The Hall was the scene of various royal events during the reigns of Louis the XIV, XV, and XVI. In the last century, the Treaty of Versailles was signed by the Germans in this room. Today, the Hall of Mirrors is occasionally used by the French government for state receptions.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Stately Accomodations

Detail on a Vase : Staterooms : Palace of Versailles : Versailles, FR

At the conclusion of the guided tour, we were then free to wonder through the palace on our own. The self-guided tour includes the staterooms of the King and Queen of France. These are just a few pictures of a handful of rooms open to the public.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Special Tour

Louis the XIV's Blue Dining Room : Versailles, FR

Versailles offers special tours in a variety of languages. We went on the one for English speakers and had an opportunity to see several of Louis the XIV's private rooms, a library, the blue dining room, and the royal opera house.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Gilded Gates of the Sun King

The front gate at the Chateau du Versailles : Versailles, FR

I have a ton of photos from Versailles, so I'm coming back to that for a bit. The main gate at Versailles was really breathtaking. The symbols of Louis the XIV are replete in this gate. The French believed their kings were divinely appointed. The globe with the triple fleur-de-lys is symbolic of the Holy Trinity, while the crown above it symbolizes Louis' divine right. The double L's are his unique stamp.

The gold leafing is new and part of the ongoing restoration work. In the sunlight, this gate and surrounding fences glow and are shining examples of the excesses of the monarchy in that period of history in France.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10

Versailles

New gold leafing highlights the extravagance on the exterior of Versailles : Versailles, FR

On the first full day in Paris, the goal and objective was Versailles. This palace (the French understatedly call it a chateau) was built by Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King (le Roi Soleil). XIV reigned from the age of five until his death just shy of his 77th birthday. To this day, he remains the longest reigning monarch in European history. As an aside, if Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland lives to 98 and remains on the throne until 2024, she'll break XIV's record as longest reigning monarch in Europe. But I digress and this entry really isn't about QEII or XIV. It's about his "chateau" at Versailles.

Just one example of the detail to be seen on the perimeter of the palace : Versailles, FR

According to the official website, Versailles started out as Louis XIII's hunting lodge. Upon ascending the throne, XIV began expanding the lodge into a palace and expansions continued under Louis XV and Louis XVI. Versailles became the seat of French government until 1789 and the return of the royal family to Paris at the beginning of the French Revolution.

Statuary, fountains, and palace : Versailles, FR

In addition to the exquisite interiors, Versailles includes vast gardens and fountains. The palace has been the scene of some significant events in the last three centuries, including a visit by child prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1763), official reception of American statesman Benjamin Franklin (1777), the establishment of the German Empire (1871) and the signing of the peace treaty by Germany at the end of World War I (1919), among other events.

To see more photos of the exterior of this "chateau", check out the slideshow below.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 6/10