Saturday, March 9, 2013

Palace of Versailles

 

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Versailles is only about a 40-minute ride from Paris on the RER C train.
If you're in the city for a couple of days, I suggest a quick trip to the palace and gardens. 

 

 

Train

There was entertainment onboard. But it lasted for about 8 minutes only, and then these
guys went around the train asking for donations :P

 

 

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I'm really, really pathetic with maps and directions. My secret for not getting lost during my travels?
Follow the crowd! 

 

 

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And there it was

 

 

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Chateau de Versailles

 

  

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This UNESCO World Heritage site is oh so gold!

 

 

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The Royal Gate

 

 

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I bought my tickets from a tourist office across the train station. I suggest you do the same.
The ticket office at the site had a crazy looooooooooooooooong queue.

 

 

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Don't know who the statue is. I just like this photo. :)

 

 

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Can you believe this used to be a hunting lodge? Louis XIV transformed and expanded it 
into one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th century French art

 

  

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The palace also exhibits modern art pieces by the Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos.
This is Mary Poppins. 

 

 

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Hallway

 

 

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The Gallery of the History of the Palace displays paintings that depict the milestones
in the building of the chateau

 

 

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The Royal Palace Grounds

 

 

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 The Royal Family

 

 

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 The Royal Chapel

 

 

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The Royal Doors and Your Royal Highness (joke!) :P

 

 

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Hercules Drawing Room 

 

 

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The young Louis XIV

 

 

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Marie Leszczinska

 

 

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 Mars Drawing Room

 

 

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I don't understand why kings fancied dressing like this

 

 

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 The War Salon with modern art Black Heart

 

 

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The Hall of Mirrors
This 73-metre gallery glorified the political, economic and artistic success of France

 

 

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 On the ceiling are 30 compositions painted by Lebrun, illustrating the glorious history of Louis XIV

 

 

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The hall's got three hundred fifty seven mirrors

 

 

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And seventeen arches

 

 

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Marilyn Stilettos  

 

 

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 They're built with stainless steel pots!

 

 

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 Check out the heels. Isn't Joana Vasconcelos brilliant?

 

 

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The Bull's Eye Salon was where courtiers waited to be admitted
to the king's bedchamber 

 

 

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The King's Chamber where Louis XIV lived until his death in 1715.
The royal rising and going to sleep ceremonies took place in this room. 

 

 

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 The Council Study where the king presided over the various councils with his ministers, 
granted audiences and received oaths of loyalty 

 

 

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The Peace Salon with modern art Red Heart

 

 

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The Queen's Chamber

 

 

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Her Wig Stand. Lol.

 

 

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Antechamber of the Grand Couvert where public meals were held

 

 

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Le Dauphin et La Dauphine
I reckon the royal family loved to eat lobsters? Hehe :)

 

 

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The Queen's Guard Room

 

 

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Lion Guard crochet art

 

 

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The Coronation

 

 

Photographing these beautiful porcelain pieces was not allowed, but they're so pretty I couldn't help stealing a few shots while the guards weren't looking. Hee hee hee. :P

 

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 This made my insides tingle

 

 

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And this made my heart smile

 

 

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I want to eat off this handsome plate 

 

 

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 And drink hot chocolate from this lovely vessel :)

 

 

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The Vitrail stained glass window is so Emilio Pucci! 

 

 

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Chateau de Versailles feels like a scene from a fairytale

 

 

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Now where are you, Mr. Knight in Shining Armor? :)

 

 

Palace of Versailles: Place d'Armes, 78000, Versailles, France

Chateau de Versailles Website

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