Versailles

For one hundred years Versailles was the cultural heartbeat of Europe. That's what can happen when one man, Louis XIV in this case, spends half a year's income of Europe's richest country to transform his father's hunting lodge into a monarch's palace. Built in the early 1600s at the height of the glory of the French monarchy, this breathtakingly sophisticated chateau--the most visited chateau in Europe--is everything a divine palace should be: enormous, ostentatious, and stunningly gorgeous. 

 

Versailles is divided into three parts: the Chateau, which is the main palace, the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette, the queen's estate, and the 200-acre gardens. The Chateau housed the folks residing in the Palace in many, many "apartments," each as sophisticated and gorgeously decorated as the next. Though it wasn't mentioned in our travel books, I am fairly certain that the concept of 'gaudy' was invented on these grounds. I can hear Louis XIV's proclamation now: "No corner shall be left un-gaudified!"

interior court of the Chateau

This room, the Hall of Mirrors, is 250-feet long, with 17 arched mirrors matching 17 windows offering a view of the royal gardens. Mirrors were a luxury at the time they were installed. Much later, this was the room in which the Treaty of Versailles was signed, marking the end of World War I.

A bit much, sure, but I love, love, LOVE this wall treatment!

The views of the royal gardens were stunning from here, and then we went outside...

It is hard to imagine something more pristine than these royal gardens exists. Having the opportunity to stroll through these beauties is definitely one of the finer things in life. 

After taking our time to see each and every nook and cranny, we visited Marie-Antoinette's estate. It was like stepping into a 17th century fashion magazine.

 

When we learned the gift shop wasn't selling any of these glam garments, we waved goodbye to the high fashion and concluded our breathtakingly beautiful tour of Versailles. As over-the-top flamboyant as the palace may be, the Palace of Versailles ranks near the top of the most beautiful of places I have had the privilege of visiting so far.