Today was Versailles day. Before I start, I'm adding in one more pic from the Louvre - a front shot of the Venus di Milo which for some reason I couldn't post yesterday. She has an amazing presence when you see her standing by herself in that huge room. Back to Versailles - we got up early (8am) and took the Paris version of a Go train to Versailles. You walk 10 mins from the train station and you're at the palace. There were huge crowds by 9:30, so we ended up standing in line for 90 mins - hard on the legs and feet. Thankfully the rain held off. I haven't yet given you a weather report for this trip - weather has been quite unsettled - not alot of sun, and there has been the occasional shower - but it is very warm here - 21 yesterday and 17 today - good thing I left most of the sweaters at home.
I've included a few pics here from Versaille. It's quite an experience to tour through the palace - the opulence and the over the top Baroque styling is quite something - gold everywhere.The Hall of Mirrors is incredible - 350 mirrors and spectacular views of the gardens. The Treaty of Versaille was signed in the Hall in 1919.
Other pics show the chapel and other state rooms. Carl also shot a couple of me in front of the palace. We spent about 4 hours there and then headed back to the hotel. 'At 8:30 we went to a baroque music concert at Sainte Chappelle (baroque was the theme for today). Sainte Chapelle is a jewel box like chapel with gorgeous stained glass windows - 2/3 of which are from the 13th century. It's very close to Notre Dame cathedral. The concert consisted of violin and harpsichord - played pieces by Corelli and Geminiani - it was beautiful music in a lovely setting. Walked back to the hotel along the Seine - Paris is so beautifully lit up at night. Tomorrow we hit the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides (Bonaparte's tomb) and hopefully squeeze in a couple hours of shopping - it's our last day in Paris.
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