Versailles, France
Versailles
So off we went to the Chateau and Gardens of Versailles. An easy train ride on the RER C train from Paris which took approx. 40 minutes from Saint-Michel Notre-Dame Station to the terminus station at Gare de Versailles Chateau Rive Gauche. We had the unfortunate luck of catching the train in peak hour. Most of the passengers deboarded at Issy Val de Seine. No doubt you’ll be going there early in the morning to make a full day of it, so an easy way to spot your train during peak hour is it’ll most likely be stickered inside and out with Versailles imagery. This was €3.60 from memory.
Once you arrive, walk across the street past the bus stops, and then following the pathway essentially with a view of the Chateau, you can’t miss it. There are three ways to get there, either is perfectly fine. I arrive along Ave de Sceaux, a lovely tree lined walk. Ave de Paris or Ave Nepveu are probably both good in some way, but I can’t comment on them.
History
From humble beginnings when King Henry IV first visited in 1589 staying at the village inn, to King Louis XII building a modest 2 story hunting lodge in 1624. In 1661 King Louis XIV decided to rebuild and enlarge the chateau. This was the first of many expansions by himself and subsequent kings. The Palace of Versailles covers over 800 hectares (2014 acres).
Chateau de Versailles (The Palace)
There is usually a long line to get in to the Chateau. You can beat the line and the crowds inside by joining a tour. A tour can be pre-booked on line for €10 each. Note this is just for the tour and is an additional cost, you’ll still need tickets to enter the Chateau. There is a different entry point for this. As you approach the gates there is entry A and B. Entry B is for tour groups, but this isn’t where you go first. Further around to the right there is a set of stairs, go in there and introduce yourself and they’ll tell you where to wait. If you don’t want to pay extra for the tour, have a look at the gardens first, then come back and do the Chateau at the end of the day, say after 2.
Our tour was from the official website. We did the “Versailles Private Side” in English. This allowed us to rush between rooms through closed off section and avoid the slow-moving masses. We even got to view the church from the balcony, instead of the small doorway with the proletariat. Because of this, it is worth the €10.
The Gardens
Entry to the Gardens doesn’t require a ticket, unless there is a performance occurring such as the fountain shows or musical garden days. The gardens are vast. The gardens are beautiful, and a visit to the Chateau without at least looking outside at the canals or flower beds would be a waste. You’ll be unlikely to visit all the gardens and their secrets within a day. Pick your key sites and stick to them. We had a picknick by the canal and then headed to the Petite Trianon and Queens Hamlet.
There is a ‘bus’ called the “Le Petite Train” that travels between the Chateau, Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon at a price of €4.30. Yes, that’s right, you can travel from Paris to Versailles for €3.60, yet the rough riding little train (nee bus) is €4.30. If you are short of time, then you don’t have any other choices than to use your own two legs. If you want to look like an American Tourist you can rent a golf cart to get around on. Unless you absolutely need a golf cart to get around, then just walk and don’t ruin everyone else’s photos with a golf cart in their shot.
The Petit Trianon
Completed in 1768 the Petite Trianon was gifted to Marie-Antoinette by Louis XVI in 1774. Because Anglo-Oriental gardens were in fashion at the time, and the original botanic gardens were redeveloped. During the French Revolution Napoleon restored the palace and gardens. The structure itself is a simple building, but I was here to see the Queen’s Hamlet.
Queens Hamlet
I liked this little place. And by ‘little’, it’s not really. The Queens Hamlet was originally constructed in 1786 at the request of Marie-Antoinette. Due to the Revolution, these fell into disrepair. Because of this Napoleon ordering a restoration in 1810. Again falling into disrepair, it was saved a third time in 1930 with funding from John Rockefeller. Here is a small English town laid out in an Oriental style. Consequently there is a Windmill, Barn, Dairy, Fisherman’s House and, Guard House. This wasn’t an area for the Queen to play poor proletariat, but rather a location for her to relax and teach royal children.
Read more about our Paris trip, such as Arc de Triomphe, Latin Quarter, Montmartre, Eiffel Tower and Invalides.
October, 2019
