Versailles

King Louis XIV started the building of Versailles in the 1660s and made it the largest palace in Europe. Louis XV also lived there as well as Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antionette. Louis XVI and Marie Antionette fled from Versailles when the French Revolution was starting, but they were recognized by a French Revolutionary named Jean–Baptiste Drouet on their way to Austria and hence were apprehended. One of Eddie’s relatives? Probably not––Drouet is a very common name in France and probably many branches of Drouets. This photo shows Versailles through the front gate.

Versailles

Versailles

Statue of Louis XIV which was erected by Louis Philippe in 1837.

Versailles

Versailles

Another view of the palace.

Versailles

Versailles

View of part of the palace.

Versailles

Versailles

Another view of part of the palace.

Versailles

Versailles

Still another view of the palace.

Versailles

Versailles

The Marble Courtyard.

Versailles

Versailles

Closer–up view of the Marble Courtyard showing the clock with Hercules and Mars on either side of it.

Versailles

Versailles

A closer–up view of the clock.

Versailles

Versailles

Another view of the palace.

Versailles

Versailles

Inside the palace. My other photos of inside the palace are on a slide show on this site named “Versailles.” Go to Slide Shows, Western Europe, France.  It was very crowded inside the palace, but the tour given by our great tour guide, Annie, was very good. You usually can’t buy tickets for this tour when you arrive here as they probably will be all sold out. Best to buy your tickets in advance (there will be a time for you tour given) or else take a guided tour here from Paris.

Versailles

Versailles

The gardens of Versailles, taken from inside the palace. The rest of my photos of the gardens are on a slide show on this site named Gardens and Fountains of Versailles. The best time probably to visit the gardens are in the spring when there are more flowers in bloom. The flowers actually will be removed here in two weeks’ time from the day that we were here.

Versailles

Versailles

One of the fountains of Versailles. The fountains are put on between 12 and 1 p.m. and with accompanying music on Saturdays and Sundays during tourist season. There is a movie clip on this site of this fountain: Go to Movies, Western Europe, France, “Versailles Fountain–1.”

Versailles

Versailles

Another fountain of Versailles. There is also a movie clip of this fountain, named “Fountain of Versailles–2.”

Versailles

Versailles

The same fountain not spouting water.

Versailles

Versailles

Our next stop––lunch at this very good restaurant. Britt and I sat at what turned out to be the British Empire table. Our table mates were from Australia, New Zealand, and Northern Ireland. One of the discussions brought up by the New Zealand couple was of our upcoming elections. They were quite up with all things happening in the U.S. and quite curious as to our opinion on things. We were also served two full bottles of wine with our meal (lunch was included in our tour)––that was a full bottle for four people. The French sure know how to do lunch.

Versailles

Versailles

Our next stop was the Grand Trianon, a small palace of stone and pink marble, built by King Louis XIV in 1687. His mistress lived here.  The interior of the Grand Trianon is included in the Versailles slide show.

Versailles

Versailles

Gardens next to the Grand Trianon.

Versailles

Versailles

The Petit Trianon. This was built in 1762 as a retreat for Louis XV, but became the house of Marie Antoinette later. I didn’t take photos inside it as the photo ops were up a staircase and by this time, even with the massive doses of Advil that I had been taking since I arrived in Paris (in case you are wondering how I am still moving after all these days of nonstop sightseeing), I just didn’t want to climb another staircase.

Versailles

Versailles

Closer up view of the Petit Trianon.

Versailles

Versailles

The Village at Versailles. This village was built for Marie Antionette as a replica of an Austrian village as she was so very much missing her own country of Austria. The Village with its very cute buildings is included in the slide show named “Versailles.” This was the last stop on our tour, a tour which both Britt and I thought was exceptional. From Versailles, the bus took us back to Paris.

Versailles