group visit to versailles

tuesday may 15, 2010

today we went to versailles as a class. Everything about it was ridiculous. People everywhere, practically wall to wall bodies. There was no way to get a picture without someone in it so I kind of just went with it and started taking pictures of other people taking pictures.

To be honest the entire thing felt fake. This whole trip has felt like a dream but I think today with all the people it just felt like Disneyland or something. Dad, you would have hated it. Everything was so over-the-top ornate, like Fontainebleau, but I just couldn't even imagine how anyone actually lived there. I'm not trying to sound like a sourpuss- there were definitely some beautiful details that I really loved, especially the floors and windows, and some of the rococo designs.

After seeing the main part of the chateau I wondered through the Dauphin apartments, which I liked much more. They were full of colorful rooms that were tastefully decorated, not too extreme, and not as many people were there. Afterwards, it was so cold and windy and raining on and off  so I just wandered through the gift shop for a little and then went home rather than seeing the gardens. (side note: luckily this week we have had much nicer weather and I was able to go back to Versailles with some friends to see the gardens and especially the hameau. "stay tuned")

check out that ceiling. the tromp l'oeil seen at the bottom was meant to 'ground' the rest of the painting.

pretty details

left: pretty wallpaper pattern, right: bust of marie antoinette

oh hello hall of mirrors. it was actually pretty anticlimactic.

marie antoinette's bedroom, on the right is the hidden door they snuck through when fleeing the castle.

i liked the peacock feather details. cute, no?

and the chandelier

looking out one of the windows into the gardens. sad rainy day.

rococo window shutters in the dauphin apartments.

i liked the green chairs and matching wallpaper. i apologize for the crappy picture.

a small area of the gardens. i didn't stay.

heart puddle.

i loved this chair.

beautiful floors. everywhere.

xoxo Heather

tips for visiting versailles:
-don't bring a large purse or backpack.
-to see the gardens on saturday, sunday, or tuesday, you will have to pay to get in because they play music. all the other days are free. the chateau is closed on monday (that includes the trianons, but not sure about the gardens.)
-to see the Hameau, you enter through the petit trianon. Its a separate fee than the main chateau, but parisian students are free. It is very much worth it, in fact one of the most charming places i have ever been. I wouldn't miss out just to save a few dollars. There is a little train that will take you there for about 7 euros but its not too far to walk if you know where you're going. Wear comfortable shoes and look at a map beforehand.
-you can rent little row boats on the grand canal for 11 euros/ half an hour, but you can rent the same boats for 10 euros an hour in the bois de bologne. I guess its up to you whether its worth it or not.