Paris: Road Trip Part 1

People in the know told me that if I were to leave Paris for one excursion, it should be to Versailles.  I love history so it seemed a good choice to me. Also, the Irish Redhead really loves history and there was no way I could come within an hour of Versailles and not have a visit to report upon my return.

I toyed with the idea of taking the train out to Versailles and making the excursion solo, but I finally opted for a small group guided tour where the guide picked me up at my hotel and delivered me home at the end of the day.  It turned out a saving choice. Also, there was the strong likelihood that if I found myself in a large train station with my passport I would wind up in Barcelona or Vienna or some such place.  Better to avoid the temptation.

My guide, Chloe, was at the hotel exactly on time, a tres chic woman in her forties driving a Mercedes minivan.  It is one of my life principles that one should never refuse a ride in a Mercedes minivan when a tres chic woman named Chloe appears in Paris and offers one.  So off we went.

After collecting the other four members of our group, we headed out of the metropolitan Paris area for Versailles.  The weather was the worst of the entire trip.  What we call "hurricane rain" where I come from.  Horizontal precipitation.  Fortunately, I was equipped with my [now] tested L.L. Bean weatherproof jacket and very good shoes that stayed dry.

This shot is taken facing away from the main gates of the Nobles' Courtyard.  The buildings in the background are stables.  The person recommending this trip was spot on.  There is really nothing like Versailles in my experience.  The gate to the Nobles' Courtyard...

You have to hand it to the Sun King.  He came up with the idea of making all his nobles reside at court with him where he could keep them closely watched.  And where he could charge massive fees for everything.  And where they would be required to engage in huge wagers on a daily basis.  Thus keeping the most dangerous people in his kingdom on a short leash and financially tenuous.  And ever more dependent.  Sounds like a good kingly business plan to me.

Once you get inside the building, the Palace is one wonder after another.  Grander to me than The Louvre because of its preserved residential status.  A random ceiling...

 

 

The hall you have always heard about...

 

"The King Rules On His Own"...

 

The Royal Bed...

The royal silver service...

Marie Antoinette's jewel cabinet...

The weather outside was frightful...

But the gardens were delightful...

The rear of the palace...

The long walk through the gardens of Versailles, toward the Venetian canals...

Our lovely guide Chloe said that she was not walking through the gardens in this horrible rain.  She would take the Mercedes and drive to meet us at the restaurant where we were to have a wonderful lunch.  We were welcome to ride along.  It was never really a choice.  I had come way too far, in too many ways, to miss the gardens of Versailles.  Even in a downpour.  I zipped up my L.L. Bean jacket, tucked in my scarf, and trudged off into the wind.  The gardens were magnificent but I admit I did not dawdle in my inspection of them.  The thought of carafes of wine and roasted chicken were pulling me onward...

I admit, I was getting pretty cold at this point and my face was wet and freezing.  I was very happy to see the entrance to Le Petite Venise restaurant and to meet up with Chloe and the rest of the group...

A very welcome respite from the rain and cold.  Wine on the table, wonderful roasted chicken with potatoes, chocolate cake, hot coffee.  We all wanted to linger at this very nice restaurant but we had to go to the rest of Versailles.  Fully recharged and happy our little group headed off to the Grand Trianon, the Petite Trianon, and the German Village.  The rain continued unabated but inside our van, camaraderie and spirits were high.