This is the entrance to Versailles. Louis XIV decided that Paris was too replete with rabble and
decided to build a palace and support system for 20,000 noblemen, servants, and others. The
chateau was built in 1662 - 1690. Not in the picture is the quickly forming line. Due to the
strike by museum workers the Versailles would not have guides, but if you wanted to visit, you
could get in and wander. We purchased a book and gave ourselves a tour. This is the entrance with
Louis XIV on horse guarding the gates.
Inside the palace was spectacular - every ceiling was painted with scenes depicting mythological
figures and stories mixed with then current French figures. The famous Hall of Mirrors was
breathtaking this was the hall which Louis XIV took each day from his apartment to the chapel, and
it was here that courtiers waited for a chance to see the king. The gardens were built by Lenotre
and are very formal. There are 250 acres of gardens with over 2000 orange trees. The gardens were
designed to be viewed from the terraces.
Far away from the palace is Hameau, a village built to entertain Marie-Antoinette. Here she would
play at being a shepherdess sometimes having the sheep dyed various colors to match her outfits.
Louis XV preferred a smaller retreat called Petit Trianon that is a model of classical harmony
and proportion. Built in 1761 this building was a gift to Marie-Antoninette from Louis XVI.
Our tour left Verailles and headed to Chartres to visit the magnificent Gothic cathedral. The
current cathedral is the sixth one to occupy the same spot and dates from the 12th century. In
the 11th century the building burned and miraculously, a relic of the Virgin Mary survived
undamaged - this inspired an outburst of religious fervor. In just 25 years the current structure
was built.
This is a picture of the inside with a labyrinth inlaid in the nave floor.
