Paris - Chateau de Versailles

We left about 8.30am to go to the Palace of Versailles.  Negotiating the RER station was fun (not).  Arrived a bit before 10am and went straight into the Palace. This was the French Court and seat of government of France from 1682 until 1789 (French Revolution). It was turned into a museum in 1837, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The view from the front...

...and the back.

There was a special exhibition called "Treasure of the Holy Sepulchre" which was interesting.  So many religious items made specially for the Holy Land - basically, Jerusalem - and recorded in detail by the Franciscan monks.  They were sent by monarchs from many countries: France, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Naples, Genoa, Venice (yes, I know they're not countries NOW, but they were then).  The earliest recorded gift was from 1588; there were still some sent across in the 20th century.  Embroidered religious vestments, gold, silver and bronze crafted items like candlesticks - most items were designed to be used in religious services.  Unfortunately, no photographs allowed (again).  The main tour commenced with the chapel, which was two storeys high (palace storeys, that is).

We found an even bigger fireplace.  This room had a lovely ceiling mural.

Lots of gilt and marble throughout.

The piece de resistance is the Hall of Mirrors.  Absolutely amazing, with 17 arched mirrors reflecting 17 arched windows overlooking the gardens, commemorating the 17 military victories of Louis XIV.  Full of chandeliers (and tourists!)  We had audioguides for Versailles, so the second photo shows me listening to mine and looking a bit distracted.

This was the bed and the wall-hangings in the Queen's Chamber.  I particularly liked it.  Very pretty floral pattern and a refreshing change from gilt, marble and red velvet.

Phil did the whole indoor tour - I dipped out after a couple of hours.  Hence only he saw the Hall of Battles, with 31 huge paintings of battles fought both before and after the French Revolution.

Meanwhile, I was out walking in the gardens, which are huge (I'm talking square kilometres, here - probably about five or six).

We headed off to see the Petit Trianon, which was Marie-Antoinettes's estate.  Only a couple of storeys high and much more casual, it was still pretty nice.  I could live in this one (but not the main palace - the gilt gets too much after a while).  We then walked around her gardens for a while, and found ourselves at the little farm, which has a mill and a spiral tower (and irises growing on the roof ridges).

There were several Canada Geese on the pond there, including a pair with 2-day-old goslings.

MAMMAL WATCH:  Coypu (aka River Rat; French: Rogandin).  Large aquatic mammal which has been introduced into Europe from South America.  It's about a metre long (including the tail).