We got to the Palace of Versailles a little bit after noon on our second full day in Paris. We'd stopped and taken in the creepy Catacombs beforehand, so seeing something a little more beautiful was definitely in order. Much to our dismay, the lines to actually get inside the palace were insanely long. I'm talking hours long. So, we opted to skip the inside tour for a more leisurely self-guided tour of the palace gardens. As disappointed as we all were that we couldn't see the inside of the palace, the gardens made up for it. They were stunning! We loved walking through the labyrinth of sculpted bushes and statues scattered across over almost 2,000 acres of land. It was basically impossible to cover that much land in the short amount of time we spent there (we had other sights, such as the Louvre, still to see that day), but the few acres we covered were worth the 40 minute train trip. And when we got hot and exhausted (it was August after all), we took refuge in one of the garden's quaint restaurants and cooled off with some sparkling water and, of course, a few Croque Monsieurs. YUM. Even if you refuse to brave the long lines for the palace tour (get there early and completely avoid this problem!), don't leave without viewing the gardens. It's a piece of Paris history not to be missed!
**Linking up with Helene for Travel Tuesdays! Go link up your travel posts, too!**
I have missed Versailles twice - the second time was because the tickets for the interior were sold out. This year, for my 30th birthday, we've booked a luxury hotel on the grounds of the palace and I'm determined not to miss it.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to go to Versailles. So I love your post and all your photos. Wow those gardens just look so gorgeous! I cannot wait to and see it myself. Definitely at the top of my 'return to paris' list. I posted about Paris today too for Travel Tuesdays.
ReplyDeleteBonnie Rose | A Compass Rose
#1. Your blog is absolutely adorable! I love your color scheme!
ReplyDelete#2. I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Versailles...ever since I learned about it in the 5th grade. Your pictures are incredible and make me want to go even more. :)
I loved visiting there when we were in Paris! Soooo cool.
ReplyDeleteOMG! Super lovely photos..
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Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteYOu have a prime pouty face, missy!
ReplyDeleteAnd that line is UNREAL
stunning and the weather looks just perfect for the occasion
ReplyDeletei love versailles! definitely a must see to me! my mouth just dropped the entire time. also, you're the cutest.
ReplyDeleteone of my favorite places in the Paris area... this last trip we rented one of the boats and rowed around... so fun!
ReplyDeleteSo gorgeous and I love your dress, too cute!
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous. It's on my list of places to see. And you girls looked so cute in your bright spring dresses!!!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are beautiful!! I went to Versailles back in 2005 and was in amazement, too bad the line was so long!
ReplyDeleteCroque Monsieurs...YUM! :) Love your dress, so cute!
Stunning- especially the fifth photo! I have been here twice, and I barely have a single picture of it- I never truly took the time to appreciate the beauty, and now I kinda regret it- this post was great!!
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Jess
I absolutely love Versailles! I'm so glad that Paris is only a few hours away from Southern Germany, gives plenty of opportunity to head over to France!I prefer the gardens to the Interior, so don't feel too bad about missing it. :) Next time you go, you must definitely try to see the Petit Trianon. It was Marie Antoinette's little residence and is even more beautiful than the grand gardens. It's at the very end of the gardens, so most people pass it by, but it's my favorite place.
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Melanie
When I went it was the dead of winter! So beautiful to see it in full bloom!!!
ReplyDeleteJ'ai étudié à Versailles pendant ma troisième année d'université. I was there for three months, living with a French family. Between then and working in France for two years, I've toured the chateau three times, and I've meandered through the gardens on countless occasions. Working in France was better than studying in France, but those were still three magical months. Ahhh, la France me manque!
ReplyDeleteah, I LOVE Versailles! I would love to go there again sometime
ReplyDeleteThe gardens at Versailles are amazing! My friend and I visited in early Spring and it wasn't fully in bloom yet. I suppose I'll just have to go back ...
ReplyDeleteSuch awesome looking gardens I really enjoyed these pictures made me feel happy and is that lasagna it looks so nice.......
ReplyDeleteI looooved Versailles! Did you go to Marie Antoinette's villa/garden/place? (Not sure what it's actually called.) I was there more than a decade ago and fell in love with how gorgeous it was there. I swore (back then) that I would get married there. Ha! Silly young minds.
ReplyDeleteFor one I cannot get over how cutely you are dressed for such a packed day, I would sweaty and in boring old shoes I am sure! Secondly I am totally jealous of that Croque Monsieur since I have banned cheese from the house this week!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous! I was there in November, so I didn't get to see the gardens in their full glory. I love that you can spend DAYS in there :-)
ReplyDeleteLove these bright, happy pictures C! So beautiful :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, how beautiful! I'd love to go to Versailles in the summer when it's all in bloom like that. Hopefully this year!
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