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| The sprawling gardens at Versailles |
The Village
at Versailles is just what you picture for a quaint, high-end Parisian
neighborhood. Lovely shops, stylish women, adorable older couples. Since it’s
Saturday there is what we would call a Flea Market (in the U.S.) and it's set-up next to the permanent
market halls. The city sets up dozens of the canopied booths each weekend, and
merchants bring their wares of all types. And the 4 permanent halls have meats,
cheeses, prepared foods, and all sorts of individual merchants – each selling
their unique specialties.
I continue
on to the stunning park-like walking street, lined with hundreds-years-old
trees – leading directly to the palace. It’s the hottest day I’ve had this trip
– about 90+ degrees, and the trees provide some very welcomed shade.
The Palace
of Versailles is spectacular – massive, with a magnificent gold gleaning wrought
iron fence encircling it. I hop in line and begin my wandering. No tour group this
time, just the audio tour (which is really quite good). Within the palace there
are sections filled with beautiful period art – a wonderful selection of tall marble sculptures along
with a dizzying array of oil portraits. And room after room of exquisite and
ornate furniture – lots of bedrooms, but many sitting rooms many of which have
beautiful desks. There’s a stunning Library. And a Music Room with 2 Harpsichords
that were sadly covered up. (I’ve always wanted a harpsichord.)
After the
palace, I then mosey out to the gardens. There are 800 hectares, which
(according to Google) is nearly 2000 acres – including 50 fountains. It’s so
sprawling that they provide a map of the gardens with suggested routes to take
so that you are able to see everything efficiently. I chose my route and began
strolling. In this heat I melt (the humidity is doing me in) – but I have a
hat, sunglasses, and water so I persevere. A few hours later I’m a sweaty mess –
and listening to the whining children around me helps me realize it’s time to
get somewhere cool to grab a drink (since my water is long since gone). I head
to the Tea Room, set in the Palace in the Suite of Louis Something-or-Other (I
can’t remember which; there were a lot of Louis.) I order a sparkling water and
yummy dessert, and just sit to cool and relax before heading back on the train.
A perfect
way to spend my last full day in Paris.
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