We'll always have Paris

I

Today we lived like kings and queens-or maybe just the peasants we are along with the rest of the hordes of tourists.   It was our day to tour the chateau de Versailles. This palace was originally a hunting estate for the king-but as his Paris obligations grew more tiresome, he spent more and more time here.  Famous at the time was the hall of mirrors. 

It was new technology and nobody had ever seen so many before. 

Just because he got out of town, he didn't really escape people or obligations.   His every move was attended by other titled Demi-royals-there was a distinct pecking order for who got to help him into his pajamas, who blew out the candles in his bedchamber, and who attended to his bodily functions.  His meals were equally well attended with princes and other nobles gathering round to watch the king consume his entire meal - as spectators, not diners.  I did enjoy the hedgehog fold of the napkins.  

This was Louie XiV - the sun King bedchamber.

He outlived his children and grandchildren heirs and finally passed the throne to bookworm Louie XVI and his young Austrian bride Marie Antoinette.  Versailles was already a casual retreat from Paris, but these two built a retreat from their retreat on the grounds.  It was much more casual-can't you tell?

I think the retreat from the retreat suits Rich-look-he matches! 

I found a time and temperature clock nearby with a thermometer embedded

  Besides the hall of mirrors, Versailles was known for its gardens and fountains.  They are vast.  The fountains weren't running today-but you can still appreciate them.

Many of the fountains had mythical sculpture figures, most of which also spouted water - which came from the river the king had diverted for his gardens. 

Of course palace in Paris, palace in Versailles, another palace on the grounds of Versailles-sometimes you just need to get away-so Marie Antoinette had an entire mini village built and populated on the grounds so she could pretend to be a country girl.  It is still a working farm full of animals today. 

This little goat uses his remaining horn to scratch an itch. Looks challenging. 

Both this swan

And the many fish in the pond

seemed  to think I had food to share and  were very eager for a taste. Unfortunately we had no picnic to share.

Time for the VERY long walk back through the grounds and palaces

A wrong turn took us (and some tourists following our lead) on the backstage Versailles gardens tour.  Bags of rock to disperse

Heavy equipment to gawk at

And boat trailers for Rich to inspect.

Our followers didn't seem as interested in secret Versailles and turned around. Eventually after much more walking, and resting,

and walking, and then a train ride, and metro stops and more walking we made it back to our hotel.

Back home again, and our final meal in Paris and a view of the elevated walkway that inspired NYC high line walkway. 

It was Rich's birthday today-happy birthday Rich. We'll always have Paris.