A Day at Chateau de Versailles; arrival
This has been my favorite day so far this trip.
My friend Sharon and I made plans to go to the Chateau de Versailles together. We were both a bit hesitant to try taking the train on our own so it was nice we could pair up. At least if we got lost we wouldn't be alone. We met at the metro stop near the train station then headed over to buy our tickets. In our reading materials and through talking to other travelers we learned that they offered a package deal if you took the train -- round trip train ticket and a pass to the chateau allowing you entrance to all of the areas of the estate. It cost a fraction of what you would pay if you took a tour and you were not rushed for time either. We did pretty good buying the tickets. The woman didn't speak English but could tell we did so after she gave us our tickets, she held up a sign in English that told us to proceed downstairs and take any train that had Vick in the name. So we did.
The train ride went by very quickly, maybe only a half hour (the tour bus usually took around an hour or so; Paris traffic). We got off the train (it was the end of the line) and followed Rick Steve's directions. Right out of the station then left at the first block . . . follow the crowd. The street ended right at Chateau de Versailles which was only one block away. How easy was that!
In 1990 we took a taxi there and when we drove down that block, the palace was straight ahead in golden splendor. We all gasped at the beauty of it. Since then I have taken a few tours and it just isn't the same when you pull up from a side street into a parking lot then walk there. So of course I was expecting the big gasp when we approached. Instead, I couldn't see beyond the white pointed tents that lined the street ahead and entrance way. What was going on? They are renovating it back to it's previous design from the 17th century and apparently that means a grand entrance to the gates which are currently under construction. (I would insert a photo here but have discovered that I needed to download the program first. It's sitting at home but I do have the card reader. If I was technically savvy I bet there is a way I can download pictures but don't know what it is.)
So we walked passed all the tents, and painted covers draped over the construction depicting what was to come, then ahead to the black and gold gates. Walking through the gates I feel like I've come to visit a rich friend -- sounds a little crazy I guess. But again something had changed once inside. The spacious entrance way to the chateau was always unobstructed with the exception of a massive statue of King Louis XIV, the Sun King in all his glory on a horse. The open space had been shortened by a wall with statues at each end made of the same material with a small opening that was currently barricaded. Where was Louie?? Was he on the other side? I have always considered him like a familiar friend, welcoming visitors to his humble abode. We entered and I peered out the window to see if the statue was hidden behind the wall. It was nowhere to be found. While going through the security scanner, I asked the guard what happened to him. Oh, he has been sent to Paris for renovations she says with a smile.
My friend Sharon and I made plans to go to the Chateau de Versailles together. We were both a bit hesitant to try taking the train on our own so it was nice we could pair up. At least if we got lost we wouldn't be alone. We met at the metro stop near the train station then headed over to buy our tickets. In our reading materials and through talking to other travelers we learned that they offered a package deal if you took the train -- round trip train ticket and a pass to the chateau allowing you entrance to all of the areas of the estate. It cost a fraction of what you would pay if you took a tour and you were not rushed for time either. We did pretty good buying the tickets. The woman didn't speak English but could tell we did so after she gave us our tickets, she held up a sign in English that told us to proceed downstairs and take any train that had Vick in the name. So we did.
The train ride went by very quickly, maybe only a half hour (the tour bus usually took around an hour or so; Paris traffic). We got off the train (it was the end of the line) and followed Rick Steve's directions. Right out of the station then left at the first block . . . follow the crowd. The street ended right at Chateau de Versailles which was only one block away. How easy was that!
In 1990 we took a taxi there and when we drove down that block, the palace was straight ahead in golden splendor. We all gasped at the beauty of it. Since then I have taken a few tours and it just isn't the same when you pull up from a side street into a parking lot then walk there. So of course I was expecting the big gasp when we approached. Instead, I couldn't see beyond the white pointed tents that lined the street ahead and entrance way. What was going on? They are renovating it back to it's previous design from the 17th century and apparently that means a grand entrance to the gates which are currently under construction. (I would insert a photo here but have discovered that I needed to download the program first. It's sitting at home but I do have the card reader. If I was technically savvy I bet there is a way I can download pictures but don't know what it is.)
So we walked passed all the tents, and painted covers draped over the construction depicting what was to come, then ahead to the black and gold gates. Walking through the gates I feel like I've come to visit a rich friend -- sounds a little crazy I guess. But again something had changed once inside. The spacious entrance way to the chateau was always unobstructed with the exception of a massive statue of King Louis XIV, the Sun King in all his glory on a horse. The open space had been shortened by a wall with statues at each end made of the same material with a small opening that was currently barricaded. Where was Louie?? Was he on the other side? I have always considered him like a familiar friend, welcoming visitors to his humble abode. We entered and I peered out the window to see if the statue was hidden behind the wall. It was nowhere to be found. While going through the security scanner, I asked the guard what happened to him. Oh, he has been sent to Paris for renovations she says with a smile.
posted by Paper Architect @ 11:56 PM
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