Finally, here is day 3. We got up early, grabbed some breakfast (which turned out to be some very expensive coffee and french bread), and headed to the train station for the 45 minute ride out to Versailles.
On the way we stopped to take another picture of the streets of Montmartre.
We ran across this statue of Thomas Jefferson outside the Musee D'Orsay...not sure what Erik is saying to him, but it looks like TJ isn't giving him the time of day.
Versailles was bigger than I ever imagined - I mean I knew it was big, but it was just ridiculous. Even though there are a lot of pictures here, I tried to spare everyone the various paintings, furniture and chandelier shots I took...Erik thinks they're pretty boring. But I kept thinking, "wow, this is amazing," then there would be 8 more rooms full of the exact same thing. Anyway, these are the golden gates to the front of the palace.
More exterior shots - this one is of the back of the palace.
The Chapel
The Hall of Mirrors - where the Treaty of Versailles was signed.
Although I didn't include a picture of the bed, I just wanted to share one of the most horrifying things I learned while there. Apparently when one of the queens or other ladies of royalty gave birth it was a public affair, so a large crowd would gather in the room and witness the process. This was meant to ensure that another child wasn't switched with the one born. So for all of us who have been through the birthing process, let us give thanks that everyone we know wasn't in the room with us.
We ate at a little outdoor cafe on the grounds.
Doing France on the cheap means consuming a lot of cold baguette sandwiches and tap water.
Since it wasn't quite Spring the grounds looked a little dreary, but they were incredible none-the-less. It's apparently a mile from where we're standing to the very end of the reflecting pool in the background. Those who know us well will know we didn't walk the distance to find out.
Finally we were back in Paris for another trip to the Champs Elysees.
Erik modeling our private shower on night #2 after we changed rooms. It was roughly half the size of a phone booth.
We walked back up to the Sacre Coeur and passed the market from the movie "Amelie." Clearly they have cashed in on their fame.
A view of the Notre Dame from the Sacre Coeur.
1 comment:
Catherine. Stunning photos. I cried through most of them; they were so beautiful. I just love Europe. Thanks for all of the great pictures. I felt like I was there with you.
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