Day 19 Versailles

We woke to grey skies and the threat of rain .... finally the weather forecast was right. We had been told the queues at Versailles were likely to be long, so we started early to catch the train. Other people have read the same Guide book, so when we arrived at 8.50 there was a queue. It did move quickly so we were inside by 9.15am.
The Palace of Versailles is magnificent! King Louis XIV also known as the Sun King, transformed the previous chateau into a showcase of opulence which overwhelms you - 700 rooms, 67 staircases, 2153 windows, 6,300 paintings, 2100 sculptures and statues - it is beautiful. It was the political capital and seat of the royal court from 1682 until 1789, when the revolutionary mobs massacred the palace guard and dragged Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette back to Paris to be executed.
We did the tour of the Palace first, walking with the various tour groups around the rooms. Louis XIV indulged his need for self-glorification with the use of gold and luxurious materials everywhere. His bedroom was not only used for sleeping but he dined here for lunch and dinner with up to 150 courtiers and people to watch. And the Hall of Mirrors was spectacular with gold and crystal reflected everywhere. Every room was beautiful and it does overwhelm you with its luxury. We then toured the lower floor where the Dauphin (Louis XV who died prematurely never becoming King) and Dauphine lived for 18 years. Again it overwhelms you with its beauty and richness. I did feel sorry for the Dauphine who had to give birth in public with the Court watching.
We then walked through the gardens. Nothing at Versailles is understated. The size of the gardens is amazing. It is 3.5 km from the Palace to the end of the Grand Canal. Fountains, perfectly manicured groves of trees, statues and flowers. It is beautiful and as you walk through the gardens, French baroque music is played to you. We walked to the Trianon Estate (Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon) which was about 1.5 kms from the Palace. The Trianon Estate was built for the royal family as a recreational estate to escape the responsibilities of government. Both are beautiful reflecting the beauty of the Palace's decor but more relaxed therefore less gold. The Petit Trianon showcases Marie-Antoinette and it was fun to walk around her whimsical hamlet and see where she 'played' being common by farming and feeding chickens. After 6.5 hours of touring this grand Palace and gardens we couldn't cope with the cold any longer and went to McDonalds to defrost. I think it was filled with all the tourists walking back to the train station. We enjoyed hot chocolates and fries. It didn't rain but was cold .... I think the temperature in Paris was 11 C and at Versailles it felt like 5 C.
We have loved staying in Paris .... we have seen so much. Tomorrow we are off to Normandy.
Au Revoir