Not deterred we joined the throng excited to see the inside of the most majestic palace. The queue actually quadrupled in size within minutes of us arriving ("look back there kids, at least we are not in THAT part of the queue"). We managed to get into the palace in around 50 minutes and it was worth the wait. It was sheer opulence, in fact it was hard to imagine that in the first few years of its existence this palace had no toilets and its noble inhabitants were forced to do their business where they stood!!! It was said the stench could be detected from miles around!!
Pleasantries aside, the palace today really reflects the indulgence of Louis the 14th. The Hall of Mirrors was just breathtaking in its magnificence (see pics below with gold statues and multiple chandelier). I would love to return and see it again when less crowded.
After departing Versailles we returned in time to have lunch at the local and famous Fontaine de Mars (made famous by visits from VIPs like the Obamas and the Ford Sporas). It sustained us beautifully and we were just in time to take our "skip the line" trip up the Eiffel Tour. It was a beautifully clear day and the view from the summit was stunning. We decided to walk down from the second level to earn an ice cream at the bottom.
That night we dined at a local brasserie and then wandered to the Eiffel to take some snaps. Mackenzie and I ended up staying at the Champ de Mars Parc until 10.30pm as the sun went down, gazing up at the beautiful tour with all the local Parisians enjoying what has been their first week of summer weather this season.
Pics below of Versailles (including charismatic fellow playing a piano accordion on the train on way to Versailles), Eiffel Tour and pics at the Tour Eiffel after dinner... Happy days.
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