Versilles (Part I)

So, yesterday we took a trip to Versailles for the day. We enjoyed a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant before getting lost in, possibly, the most beautiful place I have ever been. It's strange when you're inside the palace because each room you enter is so beautiful that you almost get desensitized to how astonishing it really is. Every detail of the massive palace is carefully crafted to meet "le Roi Soleil" (Sun King) demands, and you constantly have to remind yourself that this was all for one man. In a way, it's almost disgusting that one person had so much, but from a historic standpoint it's nothing but incredible. Sadly, the trip felt a bit rushed and I think I'll be taking a trip out there soon to really get lost. It was a cold, clear winter day and the natural lighting was just phenomenal. Over the next few days I'll post pictures of the palace so keep checking back!

Enjoy!

 Perfect soundtrack to getting lost in Versailles...

IES Abroad kids (SO MANY AMERICANS)

Colin whipped out the ole film camera for Versailles. A wise decision, in my opinion. I'm excited to see how they turn out. He has a good eye.

My buddy Laura's Lanvin bag. Obviously necessary for a trip to Versailles. On the record, I had permission to take this photo... though it looks like I snuck it.

The entree (appetizer in the states) was a pâté wrapped in salmon with a vinaigrette salad.

The main course was roast duck with potatoes and a creamy sauce that i can't remember the name of. I could get used to eating duck for every meal.

...and dessert was a pomegranate (i think!) sorbet with sliced pineapple and drizzled carmel sauce. Simple and delicious. This was followed by a petite noir (something between espresso and coffee), per usual.

Il fait beau! Look how gorgeous the sky was and the temp hovered around 30 Fahrenheit. Clear skies with a thin layer of clouds, a bit of fine snow on the ground, and gorgeous views inside and out. So perfect! Outside the gate to Versailles.

Top of the gates. In Texas, we use barbed wire. Louis XIV used golden arrows with tassels attached...

The main entrance into Versailles.. what can I say?

As I mentioned earlier, Louis XIV deemed himself the Sun King. Throughout the palace, there was tons of imagery to the sun. This was the first symbol you'd see when walking into the palace. Along with referencing the sun, Louis XIV was obsessed with mythology. Every room contained some sort of reference to Greek mythology, and many fountains in the garden were themed on mythology.

"Franco-American" BFF Austin. Before we walked in, almost every person in our group had a camera attached to their face. Sometimes you can't help but be a tourist. Austin threatened to spend the day taking pictures of me taking pictures, which is probably why we're friends. Anyway, we both agreed that Versailles felt a little like South Beach in Miami.. LOL

I couldn't get far away from the palace to ge a picture of the whole thing, but this is one of the wings near the entrance. The crazy thing about Versailles is that the interiors, exterior, and gardens are all equally as breath-taking. You could honestly spend a day examining each and still not "get" everything in. Really a crazy place.

Finally, the entrance to the palace. The inscription above the doors says "All the glories of France" if you could not tell. I'm going to leave you here now, but I'll post pictures of the inside soon!