Saturday, November 30, 2019

Day 23 (Friday 29Nov19) Day 4 Paris- a trip to Versailles

Last night we purchased tickets to the Palace of Versailles built by the Sun King Louis 14th in the late sixteenth century. It is largest palace in Europe.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1-Vbs9-Ur9a1uOwEx53eyC21d_rw2aCFD
To get to the palace we travelled the Metro which was relatively painless once you knew which tickets to purchase. (Also Melissa seems to be a natural at understanding the French Metro which is lucky because Cos is lost.)
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1mNkZ8l9H-tUP1FMajdbfnERi2_J-SUjbhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1d2YyYLZ_nUJyuuOnrbUcj_bmAreORFL6https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1dW36cFdkhvi-ajKghViuvp6IOW5DgaBthttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1EX79dvOS23s_D9sMSrOncGOeFMxYyrP9https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1WrNLAbpXPR_XNgiE7FiR_pOyH-7pVNRi
The area around Versailles is quiet lovely with tree lined cobblestone roads with grand old homes pleasingly arranged impressing the humble tourist. 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PjwCpFy6QLs0W1bd-PEz8GhcSH24l2qhhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ihcw90TzwTdZ0AhWZ5zgtyJ6u6K2B2AAhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1tlZVQjp5w-EBlFKjvdZD533jbpp1GgjC
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1H0-xmxG89g4T0sBB_HwQVkNCIxjG167Xhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1IDgFdTpKyM2sFHMoeW3Ypa-qIjOCgaGshttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FWh99UMB2sp2cj-0IJxdyQqmZ_sCS8Shhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1K3Pvsa42tYqJi_tyw16r8GHVKh-wTlFhhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PhoEqQoRjGuG_Ggd61SQZRJq5Qj5xpXj
We found the Palace after 2 minutes walk, smiling at the long line of people waiting to enter. We were happy because we had ‘skip the line’ tickets until approached the entrance to discover the long line also had online tickets. Wondering actually if all tickets had to be bought prior, on line. Fortunately the line moved quickly and 15 minutes later we were in the Sun King’s palace.
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pIfA_mBNiIBa_BZwqzYeozSv7ah5p4z5https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VSUfEDMcRhv0186uXzLCzA76K8De0mCGhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1bBwacMZ4jbZoCD9ghSU7wu_6U-ml5gEOhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ISkDmSgOiHUMJxR1UP_e-_4f7FnjL2pahttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1rxJ2FjfdljukxTPWxoAWEp3DdCxre5Nehttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1iphc_p2qG0qZ32SltD0TkwxymRBVXXiiWe were lucky that the pending rain held off while we were waiting in line. It rained quite heavily while we were touring the palace but had stopped before we came out. 
The palace is simply huge, designed to house the King, his court, Ministers, notables of land and servants. About 10000 people lived in the palace prior to revolution of 1789. During revolution and early Republic much of decorations and furniture was looted, sold off or sent to the Louvre. Since Napoleon the third and later Republics, the French government has sought to restore the Palace. Some art and furniture has been since returned to the palace.
The palace also hosted the peace negotiations after World War One in the Hall of Mirrors in 1919. These negotiations, unintentionally, set the conditions for fascism to flourish, ultimately resulting in World War Two. https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1x2FdlOciDt8Str4rdIb_a2nVJiWBwDgChttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1o8q3HBdDdfB4mWaxL8YfNadkgIu5cbIRhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1mSmu8534iReJw6Vvk6uO-ioJoZ1Iqjedhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ocxtR5Q7G_kjVrRI438Ni-pHKyhNczq-https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GIzVcOyXbBl6iaS2LulqYCplvAvSzPeahttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1TIBrXm72-ygy82ZFq1UbJWdDHeb7UZ42https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=14esM71zwQzqTXpg1qnvfeY-hjq3aNtHchttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1uwkViexJyfLZhnbl_Q_z6Ss1FX3h4RJlhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1BLNhYr8ubpDjshNXOQBmtmCBtxa9VvWMhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=12GsvPqgAHrH26OSUutd57g8fUTUnUxkt
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1slJjE_Hh0_cnVqAIL7N6CeMZL2hxATh0https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1V-4VYJyTXoVjL9OUMTQUMGembI1d4LC1
A camea cannot do justice to The Hall of Mirrors.  It a beautiful, ornate and vast long room. https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ACfvMc_irsHUpoFtjiXxI-Idw0JEWhpGhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1dCLjRG0pAcZMkVNpf8TcEUshIW04h8Qkhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1lykM9Wb0c27LUC6WGro5KH4FhK_KBKuHhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vDNcqC820bIPR-Hk4ywbM4bFJLz4UNYBhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1zVWH9verdGVj2z_bCLUP-Rqq5vF_rz8whttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1SdX8f55hDB6kr8zDMkIwsHsiZp6hEV0ehttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1B7pyzvuz70dH3bVHyb6dyYMfaXMg64gZhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1PkJf_ffULAsCgDFXUSonNUY2fys1-1YYhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=13Utq4BvfGck9TcKHShI_FoWkjkNlEfcihttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1aqz9n1IDJ0Qo9oPGNyduz8Uat0uJ9pnL
The King’s and Queen’s suites are equally impressive.https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18pSCeMT4u5bqNwMtUIjlF4jJ03cgXUKShttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1YTq0v1Od_vJ9U7OGX2Z96RKHCDotlbZmhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1J-zBH-QxM5zLr6nd5uSX8NJ-2Iy9Y2_5https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vOt5RDobxvNCoZHIq3k7OBq6Pw4bQWi7https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1aTbQ3RKJcJRKqLSkz0FVvzwKs4yr0Szhhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1-7QSj2GjbPwfzinXztpfHrOwBj-W9mlV
Finally there is a room celebrating post Monarchy and the rise of Napoleon.https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1bFmPC57gVBSXC1lDWgFzHXcQoJVm0cqVhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1mGocZ4jESmqGFqLqjpZD2oOoNKNBBEzOhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1cYSTBgWHdlnyJtsS_qjWFS_L9feTA55phttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1I_t5nJlzNL3Rs0ckJ4SMYevLj6NZvYLshttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1OpkKifLnkZNrwyq9_S_8ZNE0lVLgz0jKhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fwQF8VENTgcQjMPrGvr9OEnzh4b-AmGIhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1XG7j8sFqyUN7tT0F_CN1uj_RxzORcqRthttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qoUWeM9fLJese20Jsb5Qin-4ervCoDp6
Of course there is a mandatory gift shop you pass through (along with several others at sorties or exits along the way)  if you want to escape the Palace.
The gardens are free and expansive. Obviously winter chills have had their effect on the gardens. View of gardens from the palace shows the potential beauty.https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1fOcfq_D8rOFjHoIV3pKdh3s0Oq7CmDEhhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17mFQmnCBIooo5nyPMsKE3YZB7FMXB75B
Gardens on the ground really make you realise the size of the property. https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VEpDZ50s_3FP14Yq3eNGPltE91IwWFz_https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1unhSQSTmr24MbCGLWgTekYY_-fumo7L2https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=10HkO8JD1223zIsZt2ZOIBaRdnYNJtMQZhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1cSyvbMuNv7ekGH2RTmYSNZ165B1AG8s9https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1cWQQDO8e_XTKlc2ThkSg8VKlr7t-TmU8https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1GQHVIPT3267A1eU54ZnrTZ0ZYY54KcZfhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1VTDKRqGLo7UWTVZI-o5mFc8INwzYkvrHhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1FTod_dvO6WWyVAweyKcHtZ7U1JvNAr5yhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1wsEe8sRPKBcigOZsIphm42bdiQJD8C7Qhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=11gfsAOu_Y1FHt5j9QnbqQyvZaXq_wwxd
Views of the palace from the gardens also show the size of the place. Please understand the pictures show a very small fraction of the buildings and grounds. In many ways, the palace was a small town. https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1m9XmFlpvnUB_OHqwSh1qMxfRtS2qUny9https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1D-fqpsnFYHpXGck3dMSN1Zv8-OeuDImuhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1IFjmW7C5qNMOHhlQxz3tf3s4eWptqa9Thttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=11Uz5iCYCvpniKJoTXuVQqXg4NsRvPBaShttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1sl8SPJ-l-RmvyeYTXKvz1v4oJpmfkiXZhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1KH79rw8d2t7eGhfkXJ1YagoFbujFIKZYhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1JnuWM2RhMyml-7up__d8mDgPxAuLMJ56https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=17GV-TAhIa7Q2uIpi-oSTJ9j-QG_ejC0Ghttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1O8kvsc5AzW0jpt3QOPe2X0uc6mOXeztl
The cold had its effect on us as well so we headed into town to find a warming lunch. https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1pBySs9PX5W-iT_-KOeLaSU3HdorwIT74https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1qs6RIXy9eKX3ud_VbD79-iKyEZy_kqfahttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1U-mEROK1LfCiAq_Rt9iHobp8pTynq4Vkhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=15M_6jv76C2jsw_P2lGlqqRxtkKtqjdfLhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=13RTkRTJo-yj2V3hR7_TyP4AtiNn0G3wyhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1AJfgwd5bAzxoxHHvgYgM7dqqoNljwOkghttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1Oq5Jl3-_YW0QRY9Rm86K4Bw15eR1Jb3Bhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1vD2w_kDdcAxUMQJvOUjBUPfxY_eA-8Hmhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1OsTDC2UuZh0iSswMoD1Ch_T3wZU4KJ8i
We passed back through the Royal courtyard into the town. We found a small cafe near the train station for a easy return to Paris.https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1UKL8SpcMOftyAaBsK5ymN9gll-8fWpYt
The return train trip went smoothly. We now understand the Metro system. (We hope)https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1kvlab77DRTHbk5dfZQ3VUG2pu7NgZ64vhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=177y6Z7V9QovvYGDKlZtJt6bociVJfNmV
Once back on the street we sourced dinner and dessert and had a “French Coffee”. The French Coffee (at the Royal Cadet) probably could power the metro train we rode on today given the volume of alcohol in it. https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1IcEy95VvSeDauRmfGkkW_6N1rRSZUSEihttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1H_AjlUVmCX1uIa2cMPIrRpz984gPVMhA
Collecting our purchases we headed home for the night.https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=13Swd6G6Fa2XHiewYun_QNml99J5stdzfhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=159Nul4KHZvC180EI2LLVKph54mlB0eskhttps://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1euKhTK1fP5WSaz18TmCiQlMjOFylJWsJ
Tomorrow we to tackle the Lourve with a visit. (Hopefully)

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