France’s Megalomaniac, Louis XIV
On our way to Versailles on Friday, we stopped at another café for lunch.
This time we got baguette sandwiches for the first time. I have never
understood the appeal of hard French bread sandwiches. I like my bread soft.
Well, now I understand. When they are made on fresh, hot baguettes they
are the most wonderful tasting sandwiches ever! Crispy on the outside, soft
and chewy bread on the inside. Perfection!
This time we got baguette sandwiches for the first time. I have never
understood the appeal of hard French bread sandwiches. I like my bread soft.
Well, now I understand. When they are made on fresh, hot baguettes they
are the most wonderful tasting sandwiches ever! Crispy on the outside, soft
and chewy bread on the inside. Perfection!
King Louis XIV’s Palace at Versailles, also known as a Chateaux, is a giant of
a building and grounds like nothing else we saw in France. It was the biggest
palace of its time. Every other king was jealous, it was so big. It was ridiculous,
honestly. The amount of wealthand power and land that it represented and
took up was ludicrous. I can’t think of a better word for it. It was a supreme
example of the worship of man, of money, of power. It was magnificent, yes,
but I can understand to some degree why the French Revolution happened
as it did. It was not until two kings later that it occurred, but what Louis XIV
put into place all over the country and here in Versailles was so monstrous, so
opulent a show of wealth and power compared to the regular citizens of France,
no wonder they were angry. I am not condoning the Reign of Terror and that
violence in bringing about change, but it is somewhat understandable how it
happened. Now onto the pictures!
a building and grounds like nothing else we saw in France. It was the biggest
palace of its time. Every other king was jealous, it was so big. It was ridiculous,
honestly. The amount of wealthand power and land that it represented and
took up was ludicrous. I can’t think of a better word for it. It was a supreme
example of the worship of man, of money, of power. It was magnificent, yes,
but I can understand to some degree why the French Revolution happened
as it did. It was not until two kings later that it occurred, but what Louis XIV
put into place all over the country and here in Versailles was so monstrous, so
opulent a show of wealth and power compared to the regular citizens of France,
no wonder they were angry. I am not condoning the Reign of Terror and that
violence in bringing about change, but it is somewhat understandable how it
happened. Now onto the pictures!
Front view panorama
This map gives you an idea how big Versailles is with the gardens.
The Chateaux itself is over 721,000 sq. ft. It has 67 staircases! So even
if we didn’t get to go see any other Chateaux in France, at least we got to see
the biggest!
The gardens are two times the size of Central Park which is roughly
843 acres.
Front Gate
Rock is there in the middle if you look close.
First Hallway off the entrance
How’s this for a front entryway? Click play
Here’s a video of the chapel Louis had built inside his palace.
Here is the megalomaniac himself over one of many fireplaces
taller than me and so big they used trees instead of small logs.
taller than me and so big they used trees instead of small logs.
In some of the rooms, the transition between wall and ceiling is
hard to tell because of the amazing 3D painting along the edges.
hard to tell because of the amazing 3D painting along the edges.
What appear to be marble statues are actually painting
Queens bedroom
And probably the most famous room from Versailles, the Hall of Mirrors
or all lit up
The Gallery of Battles, a room full of paintings depicting French
battles in history.
battles in history.
We even made it onto the wall thanks to Lafayette
And finally after 3 hours, we made it to the outside
The Latona Fountain, one of the thirty working fountains. There were
many more in Louis’ time.
many more in Louis’ time.
Fun trees
The Grand Canal and the Apollo Fountain
This pond/pool is so big that a rowing team was practicing on it
the day we were there.
Another view
Amidst all the formal gardens Louis did include meadows like
this one.
The Pink Palace! This is Marie Antoinette’s palace separated
from the main part by quite a long walk. Apparently she just needed her
own space. Roll eyes.
from the main part by quite a long walk. Apparently she just needed her
own space. Roll eyes.
It took us four hours to walk through the Chateaux and the little portion of
the gardens that we saw. Our feet were so tired after walking for four hours
straight that we took a tram back to the chateaux. Note to self. Never take a
tram on cobblestone roads.
the gardens that we saw. Our feet were so tired after walking for four hours
straight that we took a tram back to the chateaux. Note to self. Never take a
tram on cobblestone roads.
Dinner at the Cafe Petite Gendarmes
A chacuterie-meat plate. Not a fan.
After dinner we walked down the street to get a crepe. Yes,
another one. Caught this video on the way. It gives you an idea of a
Paris street at night.
another one. Caught this video on the way. It gives you an idea of a
Paris street at night.
This Creperie was more fancy than many we stopped at. Sometimes
the best ones were from just a little portable cart on the road
somewhere.
And that ended our 2nd day in Paris.
Short n Sweet 
What kind of carnivore are you! That meat plate looked awesome!
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