Once in Versailles we followed the line of people walking down the street and pretty soon turned the corner to behold this magnificent building!
I thought the Louvre was big yesterday, but Versailles puts it to shame times a million. This place is huge and the grounds and gardens seem to go on forever! It was truly a sight to see and behold.
We stood in line for about 40 minutes to go through security, then grabbed a free audio guide at the front desk and started the tour. I had no idea about the history of this place. It was originally a small hunting lodge in the forest that Louis XIV visited as a child. He loved it so much that when he became king he moved the royal residence there and began continuously renovating and adding on to the "lodge", and turning it into the wonder and marvel it is today. We wandered through the rooms that were open for touring. I'm pretty sure the French royals invented the phrase, "Go big or go home." Everything was huge and grandiose, and lavish to the extreme. The funny part is, however, it really wasn't all that pretty. It was like they wanted to use any and everything that was considered "the best" with no real regard for if it actually looked good. It was all just for show. Like the ENORMOUS chapel that was added on to the palace. There is a portico (not sure if that is right word) that juts out right next to the chapel with the words, "All the glory to France" inscribed on it. Kind of contradicts the whole worshiping God and giving Him the glory.
As we were leaving I thought the whole thing was a great literal representation of "the great and spacious building" talked about in the scriptures in Lehi's dream. A great example of all the vain things in the world.
After we finished the tour (which was again inundated with Asian tour groups), we made our way out to the gardens in back. OH. MY. HECK. I was not expecting how HUGE the park is! It literally goes on for MILES. I can't imagine all the work that goes into maintaining the grounds. It is vast and overwhelming. But so gorgeous! Luckily, the weather today was gorgeous as well. It was a bit overcast this morning when we woke up and actually a little chilly. It stayed very pleasant and breezy the whole day which was very nice and we were able to truly enjoy being outside.
We walked down through the gardens looking for one of the small snack stands that were listed on the map we got, so we could get something for lunch. We couldn't find any of them because the map really wasn't an accurate representation of what the gardens actually look like. We decided to get off the main walkway and wandered into one of the mazes. And got lost. As we were trying to follow the map and the few (read: two) signs we could find I got grumpier and more frustrated with every step. It was a great lesson on what happens when you step off the "straight and narrow" and decide to go wandering around by yourself after things you think you want.
Eventually we found the right path we were supposed to be on and we found this beautiful little restaurant nestled into the trees and plants. We decided to stop and splurge on eating an actual meal, instead of all the bread and cheese we've been eating all week. We both go a yummy salad with sundried tomatoes and chicken on it, then shared a hot chocolate cake with raspberry coulis for dessert. The cake was AMAZING!
Felling satisfied and in a happier mood we continued to wander around for a little while longer - taking in the incredible fountains and all the beauty around us. We then bought tickets for the little tram that ran from where we were at the Grand Canal back up to the palace because we were both tired and didn't want to talk all the way back up.
Our original plan was to then find the grounds where the church is building a temple here in Paris/Versailles. But, when we looked up the address and found it on the map we discovered it was quite a distance from where we were at the palace and there was no bus line that ran up there. So, we weren't able to go. Oh well. Add it to the list of things to do the next time I'm here. Kristy told me before we left that I just have to tell myself I'm going to come back because there is so much we're not going to be able to do. She was right. We walked back to the metro stop, battled the crowds to buy our tickets back to Paris, then got on the train. We finally made it back to our hotel and decided to have dinner at the cafe that's across the street from our hotel. After dropping our stuff off at the room and washing our hands, we headed across the street. We both ordered steak frites (steak with french fries) and it was amazing. I'm not sure it it was so good because it was really good, or because I was tired, hungry, and this was really the first real meal (besides lunch today) that I've eaten so far on this trip. Regardless, it was good and it was so awesome to just sit outside, at a cafe, in Paris, enjoying the beautiful weather and soaking in the atmosphere and ambiance.
We discovered a patisserie (pastry shop) next door to the cafe and went over there when we were finished, to get something yummy for dessert. We decided to split a piece of chocolate cake they had in the case. It turned out to be not as good as it looked, which was disappointing, but still worth it for the experience. We turned in early (read: before midnight) because we have another big day tomorrow: Disneyland!
Steps walked: 12,522
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