I spent the last day of my first trip to Europe at Château de Versailles, the impressive French palace located twenty kilometres outside of Paris. Versailles was a luxurious royal residence until King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie-Antoinette, were forced out by an angry mob during the French Revolution. Today the Palace and Park of Versailles is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Château de Versailles (1981) |
I was surprised to find my ticket to the park and gardens tucked safely in the back of my trip diary.
My Ticket to Versailles |
Palace Gate (1981) |
Palace Courtyard (1981) |
According to the notes in my diary, Versailles was beautiful. I toured the State Apartments and saw Bernini's bust of Louis XIV, the Queen's Bedchamber, and David's "Coronation of Napoleon". The only photos I have from inside the palace were taken in the Hall of Mirrors, named for its 357 mirrors which were a great luxury at the time. This stunning gallery hung with glittering chandeliers is where the Treaty of Versailles was signed ending the First World War.
Hall of Mirrors (1981) |
Hall of Mirrors (1981) |
I also wandered around the palace's expansive grounds and lovely flower gardens. The flowers were still beautiful on a late September day but the fountains weren't spouting water. They must be a magical sight. I found a short video of the Musical Fountains Show on the Château de Versailles website.
Latona's Fountain and the Grand Canal in the Background (1981) |
Parterre Garden (1981) |
Parterre Garden (1981) |
Flora Fountain (1981) |
The next day I returned to Toronto on a 4:20 p.m. flight via London. But once I'd had a taste of the diverse continent of Europe I couldn't wait to return. And I did, a few years later, on a mid-winter journey to Finland. That's a story for another day.
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