Where are John and Kara?: Versailles Palace, Versailles, Paris

This blog is a short overview of our afternoon trip to the Chateau of Versailles, in Île-de-France, Paris.

Panoramic of the entrance court yard and plaza

The main attraction in Versailles is the Chateau of Versailles, a huge, grand Palace which was once the main political power house in France from 1682 until the beginning of the French revolution in 1789. Located only 20 kilometers from Paris we were fortunate to have a spectacular afternoon enjoying the French hospitality and admiring what was once home to several famous French Royals.

Entering the Palace

After a morning exploring artsy Montemarte (see Paris blog) and fluffing around waiting for a train we thought might never arrive, we reached Versailles and hunted down a spot for a late lunch.

Versailles Chateau (currently a hotel)

After hoovering and inhaling our way through a warm and crispy oven baked chicken and apricot pizza at a roadside terrace we picked up a bottle of Champagne, several varieties of nibbles and made our way to the famous Chateau (which had very high security measures and asked us to check in our bags! darn it!).

Well, it was worth a try!

Scene of 'Hercules' on the roof in the Kings apartment

Walking towards the Palace late on Saturday afternoon was breath taking, the weather was quite temperamental and the sun shone beautiful rays on light across the building, through dark and stormy clouds, lighting up the facades and golden awnings in a way that made them shine and catch the eye.

Inside the Palace was just as stunning and perhaps one of the most beautiful Palaces in the world (in our opinion).
In particular we were drawn to the amazing art and frescos which decorated the roofs in the King's apartment. Straining our necks at bizarre angles to take it all in, we looked like baby penguins waiting with our mouths open and eyes bulging.

Another spectacular room was the Hall of mirrors. Kara was so distracted by the shiny lights she even scratched her new sun glasses when spinning around like sugar ravaged fly.

After exploring the Palace room by room we collected our bags from security and by then were able to enter the Palace gardens. Here we plodded ourselves down next to a small tranquil lake, filled with large hungry carp and out of the watchful eye of the roaming guards. We quite cordially enjoyed the tart taste of our Champagne whilst watching the orange carp jumping in the lake and catching the last of the May sunshine.