Versailles Aka the reason the French stormed Bastille

Hello again!!

Yesterday was Versailles. I walked from 10:30 to 5:00. My feet are going to fall off. Anyway, I went to Versailles four years ago and was not impressed. We didn't go to the gardens and the Hall of Mirrors was closed. Basically, all the reasons to go to Versailles. So, not impressive.

Contrary to all my

expectations of the chateau, I really enjoyed it this time. The hall of mirrors was open(Finally!) and was amazing. The room is on one side mirrors and the other side windows. On the ceiling is murals, murals, murals. It really made me think of the Vatican.

Since I was there, they've done a lot of restoration. Anyway, it's pretty amazing now.

I learned this trip that there are three additional estates on Versailles. One of the most interesting ones was the Petite Trianon, where Marie Antoinette lived. She made a little village where peasants could live as well, because she wanted to experience 'peasant life.' There was a private theater where she could act, and picturesque houses for the peasants. I don't know if this is true or not, but people in my group were saying that she had the peasants dye the sheep different colors. How uncomfortable for the sheep.

This was her idea of how peasants lived:

Best part of the village were the animals that lived on the land. There were, and still are rabbits, goats, sheep, roosters, cows, oh my! Nothing dyed though.

Continuing on, next was the gardens next to Versailles. Very French and symmetrical. The bushes were shaped into fleur dis lis, citrus trees arranged into spirals. Here is ANOTHER picture to describe it.

Last, but very much not least--statues. We couldn't resist.

And now, I really have to do homework. Next post I'll add pictures of my host family's home. If I have time, I ll do it later today, if not, till next time!