Versailles

Versailles Gates

I've never been to Versailles, so while planning the trip I booked us a tour of the King's private quarters and the Chapel or Opera House. We met our tour guide at 9:30 for what turned out to be a private tour (a mother and daughter were the only other people). We were the first people through the chateau that day and it was incredible.

Inner courtyard of the Chateau (King's Private Quarters are on the right)

Our tour guide was very knowledgable and described the history of the chateau and the different iterations of the rooms uses and designs. My favorite was the Opera house (no photography allowed, unfortunately).

One of the private rooms

 

Astrological Clock (see the mechanism in the mirror?)

After our tour concluded we joined the masses and toured the state rooms, which included the Hall of Mirrors.

Smiling for the camera

Our guide told us that the chateau grounds used to be 10 times what they are today. They are still enormous!!

See the chateau in the distance?

We also visited the Petit Trianon, a smaller mansion house on the grounds initially build for Louis XV's mistress, but after his death it became Marie Antoinette's favorite place to stay.

Petit Trianon staircase

 

 

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