Fabulous Versailles - From Palatial Splendor to Rustic Charm

Versailles, the home of kings and queens is something

that one should make the effort to see.  

First though, we had to have our favorite breakfast

waffles smothered in Nutella and whipped cream

just at the Champs Elysees end of the Tuileries.  We

had these waffles when we were in Paris before and

were delighted that the stand was still there.

Truly the moistest, most amazing waffle I have ever tasted.

Nothing I have ever had or made compared to this.

We took the

train out to Versailles.  It was just two blocks from our

hotel and very easy to reach, then we walked a few blocks.

You are greeted by gold gates and fences that speak

of the wealth of France.

Through the gates you glimpse the gorgeous palace

which has been so beautifully preserved.

Whether you are a lover of painting, architecture, interior design
or gardens, Versailles is absolutely exquisite.

This is a beautiful royal bedroom. Behind the rails is the private
area.
In front of the rails is where the courtiers would gather in the
morning.
We have a truly different view of the privacy of a bedroom.  I don't
think I would want crowds of people in my bedroom each morning!

I had to include this beautiful purple room and rug.  So much of the public spaces were
set aside for games and gathering as that was major form of entertainment.

This is another royal bedroom, I love the ostrich feathers

at the top of the bed.

The famous Hall of Mirrors can't be captured in film.  It is exquisite
and mammoth.  Courtiers would gather here each morning in hopes
of capturing the eye of the king on his way to chapel.

One of my favorite parts of the palace

are the gorgeous grounds.

When we went to Versailles previously it was

during February so all of the fountains

were empty and nothing was green.

It was gorgeous to see it beautiful and lush.

You could wander here all day and still not see it all.

There are so many beautiful parts of the gardens, enchanting

beyond belief.

The flowers are just becoming lush.

The Grand Trianon, another gorgeous part of Versailles

is away from the press of the Palace crowds where

                                                             military plans were made.

I loved this beautiful marble flooring between

the two wings of the Grand Trianon.

The Petit Trianon was given to Marie Antoinette

by her husband Kind Louis XVI.  My favorite

part of it was seeing the vast kitchens down

below.

Now here is an amazing oven and cooktop!

As a foodie, it was so fun to get to peek at behind

the scenes.  I can just imagine the cooking staff in

these vast kitchens spaces.

I could cook on this!

Despite all of the grandeur, my favorite part of Versailles

is Marie Antoinette's Hamlet which she had built as

a getaway from the crowds for her children.

It is built on a man made lake with man made streams

and is so charming.  What child wouldn't love to 

tromp around here during the summers.

Rustic charm was "in" at the time and was a nice

contrast to the formality and crowds of the Palace.

They even have a working farm now.  We saw all kinds of animals and
people working the farm.

The Hamlet is something I have dreamed of

seeing another time and to see it beautiful and

green and filled with pots of blooms was just

a highlight, not to mention the animals, all of

which we didn't get to see last time.

Marie Antoinette, the name made most

famous from Versailles, also loved the theater

and had this gorgeous theater built where she participated in plays
and directed plays.

I know she has been condemned by the world because

of the famous words, "Let them eat cake."  I have to 

wonder as I watch politics today, if she really even said 

that or was that just a political rally to call for the

revolution.  I guess we will never know, but

these fabulous cakes filled with cream and 

meringue are served here at Versailles and they

reminded me of that infamous saying.

We also sampled some of their chocolate

mousse cake with touches of real gold

and macarons.  This was all served at the

grounds of Versailles.

I am so glad my good friend Rachel told me

that we could do Versailles despite our limited

time here.  

Thanks Rachel!

Hope you enjoyed a peek at a little bit of 

Versailles.

I will be posting this with

Pink Saturday

Seasonal Sunday