Here Comes the Sun

If you're going to do something, do it right.  And spend half of your country's GDP on it.  Such is the wisdom of Louis XIV, who seems to have done exactly as he pleased.  He called himself the Sun King, raised himself to the status of God, and built the greatest palace that Europe has ever seen.  Versailles is absolutely unrivaled.  It's palace features priceless works of art, the history of World War-ending peace treaties, the gorgeous Hall of Mirrors, portraits of the two most self-centered leaders of France (Louis XIV and Napoleon), and gardens larger than the island of Manhattan.  It is a reminder of all that France once was on the international stage: the country that every country wanted to be.

Logically, I wanted to see this incredible estate.  So Josh and I arrived bright and early and... joined the line winding four and a half times across the large square in front of the palace gates (this was the line you joined after buying a ticket).  We listened to various audio guides about Parisian cuisine and history while in line, immersing ourselves in this wonderful culture that appreciates the good things in life like conversation, food, and leisure.  And then, at last, after watching frustrated tourists break every rule of Waiting in Line, we made our way into the palace.  It was gorgeous.  Huge portraits on the walls of haughty royals and garden parties.  Models of the palace as it grew, wing by wing.  Murals on walls and ceilings ridiculing French foes who fell quickly in battle or depicting conquered nations who contributed their culture to the richness of the empire.

And the Hall of Mirrors.  This was the part of Versailles I had always dreamed about.  One entire wall of the long hall is mirrors, the opposite wall is a series of doors opening onto the gardens.  It was built at a time when mirrors were precious and rare.  Lit by hundreds of candles in crystal chandeliers, the room is incredible now but must have been overwhelming when it was built.

Finally, after we had our fill of the palace, we took a quick walk through the gardens.  

It was getting late, so we made it quick.  It was a Tuesday, so they had the Musical Gardens.  In the time of Louis the XIV, orchestras would be camped out throughout the gardens, playing music to entertain guests.  Today, hidden speakers play classical orchestral music, bringing you back to an age of elegance when a walk through the gardens at the palace meant that you were a very special someone.  We also got to witness the fountain shows that dot the palace grounds.  Apparently the fountains are powered by gravity, with the water pressure coming from the river Seine pouring down into the fountain system.  Pretty cool stuff.

Another day, another adventure.  Paris has treated us so well.

Spotted: An interesting modern art/sculpture exhibit at Versailles.  In the gardens were a series of reimagined trees, from a trunk fractures open to reveal a golden interior to another turned upside down.