Even more walking with fountains and gold

Today was a Versailles day.  We began with the gardens which weregorgeous!  Topiaries, hedges, statues, fountains. All breathtakingly beautiful.  A light snack by the Grand Canal and it was off to see the world of Marie Antoinette.  I had hoped to see the whole of her world but it was simply too much.  The girls enjoyed the gardens around the two Trianon palaces.  They coolected pebbles, chestnuts and flower petals.  Admired fountains.  Sat onbenches.  They enjoyed the smaller palace as well and I have to agree.  It was a highlight of the day for me.  It felt almost like a grand home as opposed to a palace.  No gilding just lots of windows and clean stone work.  Marie Antoinette’s bedroom was oh so pink which got rave reviews from the girls.  However, by the time we exited they were oh so ready for lunch which was to be had back at the canal so no visit to her farm or fantasy gardens this go round.  That said, our lunch picnic in the suMoore than made up for it.

After lunch?  Well, more fountains of course!  Both girls are quite fond of fountains so they were happy as clams.  Katrine also insisted on seeing the orangerie where Elspethdesperately wanted to pick an orange.

Then it was off to see the inside of the palace.  We were able to walk right in.  No extra long line up by three in the afternoon.  It was smooth sailing until about the hall of mirrors.  Stunning murals on ceilings, gilt work every where and the views from the windows -stunning.  The hall of mirrbelieved up to expectations.  As Katrine said, “Over the top!”. By the time we hit the royal bedrooms and dining rooms we seem to have caught up with multiple tour groups.  People pushing…okay it’s crowded I can deal.  Then someone started patting Elspeth on the head from behind while we were being pushed forward.  I was able to channel my anger and escape by shoving my way through (apologies to those I rudelyshifted butI pleaseI understand that it was for my child).  That was the final straw.  I mean, what type of person just reaches out to touch a child?  It is wrong on so many levels.  Thankfully Elspeththinks it was “mama touch my hair when I scared”.  We left.

Glenn asked to have galettes again for his birthday dinner.  We went to a different place this time but that is another post.  On our way back tot the hotel we walked through Les Jardins Luxembourg.  I had hoped that the playground would be open but it was closing as we arrived.  We did manage to catch the last sarosel ride of the day much to the girls delight.  I have never before seen a suspended carousel (no bottom floor, the horse simply hang from the ceiling).  The riders on the outside were each given a stick.  As the carosel turned they could try to hook metal rings off of a pole with their stick.  Katrine actually managed to hook a pair while Elspeth, well she just waved the stick about.

And so our time here is drawing to a close.  One morevisit to the boulangerie for pastries tomorrow morning, some French cartoons and then we are on the train to London.  I have enjoyed Paris but I do believe that my feet will enjoy some rest tomorrow before the next round of walking begins.