Versailles

Today I went to Versailles to see how the royalty used to live. Suffice it to say that it was way over the top. To say that the grounds that comprise Versailles are immense is tremendous understatement. For those of you who know Rodeo, Versailles may be just about as big as all of Rodeo. I do not know if the term conspicuous consumption was in vogue during the reign of the various Louies who called Versailles home, but you get an impression of decadent opulence as you wander from one room to the next. It is not surprising that the masses revolted against the nobility in 1789.

To see all of Versailles takes about five hours and lots of walking. The first part of the visit is to the chateau where the main sites are the royal chapel, the royal bedchambers (including the door that led to Louie XIV's boudoir for the various ladies he bedded other than the queen, and the hall of mirrors. Following the chateau is the visit to the gardens which are massive and beautifully maintained. The last part involves about a 30 minute walk to Le Grand Trianon and Le Petit Trianon, two smaller palaces where the roual couple could escape the hustle and bustle of life at the chateau for a more serene existence. It gets very crowded at Versailles and it is a good idea to get out there when it opens at 9:00 to avoid some of the crowds.

Rick Steves has been a lifesaver for us and we find following his tips saves time and frustration. Thanks to him, I knew how to get there on the train, how to use my museum pass (a great investment) to get in, to get out there early, and hoz to get home in one piece.

Tomorrow, we move to a hotel in the Latin Quarter for two nights, then we embark on our barge cruise. We are loving Paris.

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