A day in Versailles

I got up excited to see Vesailles this morning. I woke up and checked the weather. Sunny and 20! Super. I dressed with a jacket but didn't worry too much about being cold. I headed to the Metro and took the train to my destination. As I stepped outside and followed the signs my excitement grew. This grand palace is such a part of history and I couldn't wait to see it in person. Like most truly magnificent monuments, they must be seen in person. Photos don't do them any justice. As I neared the golden gates I stared in awe at what can only be described as breath taking. It is an enormous palace that goes as far as you can see, in fact the grounds practically surround you.  I headed in to do my tour and was awestruck by how these royals used to live. Their rooms are more elaborate than I could create in my imagination and there is wealth spilling out of every corner.  I am so fascinated by the story of Marie Antoinette that the house seemed dull. Although there was information about her, most of the history of the palace has to do with all the Henry's....haha!

Heading outside to check out the gardens, I realized that they are also more beautiful in person. Not because they are elaborate and flashy, though some of it is. But because there is so much greenery and so much of nature is incorporated into the fountains.  I walked through, following the map and slowly inching my way towards the Marie Antoinette estate, which is what I was eager to see.

Just as I finished in the gardens and headed towards Trianon (built to be the family vacation home....I know, no sympathy for the royals here either!), it started to rain....no big deal, it was only a sprinkle.  It would stop soon; rain was not forcasted after all! While Grand Trianon and petit Trianon are interesting and beautiful, the people who stayed in them and made them what they are, are far more fascinating! As I left the petit Trianon it started to pour, and I mean it was really coming down. But I would not be deterred, I was almost at my final destination! I trudged on the muddy paths towards the cutest little cottages you can imagine. They look like they come directly from a fairy tale. They were so warm and cozy looking after the coldness of marble and gold (you know what I mean, they had character)! None of this portion was indoors so I decided to take the mini train back to the palace as I was as far from it as you could get! Using a re-useable bag to cover my head I waited in line. I had to wait for the second train and even then there didn't end up being a seat. The poor driver took pity on me and let me sit up front with him. I still had to walk in the rain to the castle as the train only went to the edge of the gardens. It was worth it!

Regardless of my wet feet and the hair plastered to my face I had an amazing day! And on the bright side I finally broke in my Toms!