Day two at Versailles………
Discovering how large the estate was, Bob and I arrived just prior to lunch. Would you believe the crowd was four lanes across and growing! Thank goodness we visited the chateau yesterday.
Did we really think we were going to see all in the gardens today? Not a chance we discovered.
This was the day we did all.
Almost two kilometres in length, the Grand Canal took a just over a decade to create and provides the perfect spot for a dinghy row and a picnic: both of which we partook.
The ducks loved it
and it was a joy to watch the children.
What a view of the palace!
A tandem bicycle ride enabled us the opportunity of viewing the sights away from the lake and gave Bob’s knees a break: a lovely novelty, but never again!
Even on the outside, one has reason to admire. Wherever one turns the eye, there is decoration to see.
The Grand Trianon, the home of marble was a place where Louis could escape court life and enjoy his liaisons.
This was as richly extravagant as the main palace: we weren’t sure about some of the colour schemes.
It was the outdoors that had our attention most, though.
Once restored, this fountain will be a masterpiece once more.
Desiring the simple private lifestyle of her childhood Marie Antoinette created an Estate, a place where she could escape the constant fish bowl. Consisting of the Petit Trianon, Temple of Love, Grotto and a working farm that provided fresh harvests for the chateau it was a perfect retreat.
Walking the Hamlet was stepping into a fairy tale.
This had to be the largest rabbit we have ever seen!
The end of the afternoon, and still there was more…..
Then the icing on the cake. Not one,
but two European Otters.
This was by far the best of the days and merits another visit when we return to complete our journey on the River Seine.
Interesting facts
- UNESCO heritage since 1979
- Over the past decades, a number of storms caused severe destruction. The worst being in 1999 saw in excess of 10,000 trees – some dating from the 1700s – uprooted and the chateau damaged.
- Since 2003 a restoration programme known as the ‘Grand Versailles’ project with a budget of 500 million euro has been taking place.
Information from:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Palace-of-Versailles
