Versailles: not just a pretty face

OUR TRIP WAS FOR A FULL DAY, so we were up early and in a minibus with 7 other people heading to Versailles. Jean, the tour guide was very knowledgeable, presenting as a rumpled history graduate, and tried to acquaint us with the relationships of the Kings Louis, wives and mistresses and of course the charming Ducs d'Orleans, who used this quaint little place as their home.




This King Louis XIV reigned for 70 years. He put it about that he was the sun god, and each room in the king's suite in the palace related to the different planets.





His hall of mirrors- the first time this device had been used.




A queen's bedroom with beautiful silk on the walls and around the bed. Imagine more. Much gilt, little guilt.




Formal gardens on top of the orangery.




The original 'core' palace -- there are the other two much larger wings, as well as separate accommodation for the nobles (exceeded in grandeur by the stables, reputedly).




One of many fountains.







Remember the other wings?




Of Trianons petit and grande, and hamlets worthy of Disney, stay tuned.

- Episode 1 posted under the Louvre