This morning we took the metro and then the local train to Versailles, and this time, we did get there. Except it was pouring. The kids had their rain ponchos and I had nothing. The walk from the station is about 10 minutes, waiting in security line -15 minutes, walking up to the entrance- an eternity. Needless to say, we were pretty much soaked when we actually entered the palace.
My pants were soaked up to my thighs (sideways rain), my hat was soaked, and my backpack smelled like a wet dog. Welcome to Versailles!
The interior, of course, is gorgeous. Everything is a so over the top. Russian emperors modeled after the European royalty, especially the French, so I can’t help but compare Versailles to Peterhof, a royal complex in St. Petersburg.
The royal residence rooms took a while to see, because, people and “can we just sit down?” But really, the opulence is mind boggling. I kept reminding the kids to look UP- the ceilings are the best part.
After seeing the royal residence, we went to Angelina’s cafe for sandwiches and dessert. It was right on site.
Versailles is not just a ginormous palace, it is also gardens, forests, alleys, fountains, statues, and estates within estates. I did not have the energy to see the Petit Trianon, the Grand Trianon Estate, or the Queen’s Hamlet. We did walk to the Grand Trianon (30 minutes) and took a hop-on/hop-off train back to the main palace because I was just done. And the kids were more than done.
Versailles is just too big to see in five hours that we were there. I did feel a feeling of peace when the kids and I were walking around. It’s huge, so people tend to disperse, the birds are chirping, the benches are there, the statues are beautiful, the fountains give a sense of calm.
We came back at around 5, and while the kids had their screen time, I rested while having some tea. After they went to bed, I laundered my back pack that smelled of a wet dog, and packed up our carryons. Tomorrow we have an early flight back home 😢 ❤️ 🇫🇷
Mom of Children 