Versailles is only about a 40-minute ride from Paris on the RER C train.
If you're in the city for a couple of days, I suggest a quick trip to the palace and gardens.
There was entertainment onboard. But it lasted for about 8 minutes only, and then these
guys went around the train asking for donations :P
I'm really, really pathetic with maps and directions. My secret for not getting lost during my travels?
Follow the crowd!
And there it was
Chateau de Versailles
This UNESCO World Heritage site is oh so gold!
The Royal Gate
I bought my tickets from a tourist office across the train station. I suggest you do the same.
The ticket office at the site had a crazy looooooooooooooooong queue.
Don't know who the statue is. I just like this photo. :)
Can you believe this used to be a hunting lodge? Louis XIV transformed and expanded it
into one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th century French art
The palace also exhibits modern art pieces by the Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos.
This is Mary Poppins.
Hallway
The Gallery of the History of the Palace displays paintings that depict the milestones
in the building of the chateau
The Royal Palace Grounds
The Royal Family
The Royal Chapel
The Royal Doors and Your Royal Highness (joke!) :P
Hercules Drawing Room
The young Louis XIV
Marie Leszczinska
Mars Drawing Room
I don't understand why kings fancied dressing like this
The War Salon with modern art Black Heart
The Hall of Mirrors
This 73-metre gallery glorified the political, economic and artistic success of France
On the ceiling are 30 compositions painted by Lebrun, illustrating the glorious history of Louis XIV
The hall's got three hundred fifty seven mirrors
And seventeen arches
Marilyn Stilettos
They're built with stainless steel pots!
Check out the heels. Isn't Joana Vasconcelos brilliant?
The Bull's Eye Salon was where courtiers waited to be admitted
to the king's bedchamber
The King's Chamber where Louis XIV lived until his death in 1715.
The royal rising and going to sleep ceremonies took place in this room.
The Council Study where the king presided over the various councils with his ministers,
granted audiences and received oaths of loyalty
The Peace Salon with modern art Red Heart
The Queen's Chamber
Her Wig Stand. Lol.
Antechamber of the Grand Couvert where public meals were held
Le Dauphin et La Dauphine
I reckon the royal family loved to eat lobsters? Hehe :)
The Queen's Guard Room
Lion Guard crochet art
The Coronation
Photographing these beautiful porcelain pieces was not allowed, but they're so pretty I couldn't help stealing a few shots while the guards weren't looking. Hee hee hee. :P
This made my insides tingle
And this made my heart smile
I want to eat off this handsome plate
And drink hot chocolate from this lovely vessel :)
The Vitrail stained glass window is so Emilio Pucci!
Chateau de Versailles feels like a scene from a fairytale
Now where are you, Mr. Knight in Shining Armor? :)
Palace of Versailles: Place d'Armes, 78000, Versailles, France
