How the other "half" lived

June 13:

I finally made it to Versailles yesterday. It was still not the beautiful day I was hoping for when I arrived in the Parisian suburb at 11am but by the afternoon, it was nice enough to walk in the gardens for hours. The palace is HUGE and the definition of opulent. But if I may quote my guidebook, the building itself is dwarfed by the grounds. Just acres and acres of manicured gardens, fountains and sculptures. It is incredibly difficult to imagine that people actually lived like that. And once you finally wrap your head around it, and compare the incredible grandeur of Versailles to the city of Paris at the time, you completely understand why there was a revolution.

I do have to admit though, I think in terms of the interior decorations, I like the Louvre as a palace better. Probably because the decor is so varied as it was decorated and continually built upon by so many kings. It is more interesting to me. Versailles is GRAND but each room has that guilded molding and silk wall covers. Boring! Com'on Louis! lol. Despite all the "boring" rooms (they really were spectacular) I ended up spending far too much time inside the palace. I started my garden walk not long before the fountains started their majestic display at 3:30. Before I knew it, the finale show started and I had an hour before the garden closed. I still had not made my way to see the special quarter's that Marie Antoinette and Napoleon took to. I managed to squeeze in a quick visit into the Grand Trianon (where Napoleon preferred to stay in Versailles) and managed to loose myself on the grounds. I ended up wandering around the Queen's Hamlet (Marie Antoinette's favorite area and I completely see why). Even now, I can't believe that all that land was part of the palace. I don't think I can explain the size and hauteur of this place adequately. It is definitely a must see if you are going to Paris. It will make you want to reinstate the monarchy, as long as you are a part of it. I was continually thinking, "If only I could find a Louis the XVI to marry." Really, I would have gladly been a handmaiden at Versailles. Even their quarters had guilded molding (and they didn't get beheaded)!

I am wondering if I should even bother with other palaces at this point. Can any other palace compare. Am I going to scoff at Buckingham now? You 'ave nu'zing on Versailles. Huh!

*note* I finished the photo sync. There are some more photos up now. Versailles pictures not included. *end note*