Lights, Camera, Action at The Palace of Versailles

Big thanks to Viator for providing this enlightening adventure! As always, all opinions are our own.

The Palace of Versailles near Paris, France

With the television series Versailles gaining in popularity, we thought that we would revisit the foremost French château for another look around.

The gates of the Palace of Versailles near Paris, France

Besides, there’s nothing quite like an afternoon of opulence at the Palace of Versailles.

After a short drive out from Paris, we bypassed the waiting crowds and walked right in (see how we pulled that off here).

It was almost as if we belonged in a crib like this… almost.

The Palace of Versailles near Paris, France

The Palace of Versailles from the gardens near Paris, France - GypsyNester.com

Truth is, it was a little before our time.

The Château de Versailles became the royal residence in 1682, when Louis the Fourteenth moved out of the Louvre in favor of the country house and gardens that had served as his father’s hunting lodge since 1624.

If you have watched the show then you know that major renovations were in order. One simply can’t rule properly from a hunting lodge.

The Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles near Paris, France - GypsyNester.com

From our point of view it looks as though the redecorating was quite a success! No wonder Louis is known for his furnishings.

We were particularly enthralled by the Hall of Mirrors, and the artwork on the ceilings, but every room made it quite obvious that it was good to be king… that is… until there is a revolution.

The Palace of Versailles near Paris, France

The royal beds at the Palace of Versailles
The royal beds – nice, eh?
Inside the Palace of Versailles near Paris, FranceBut the rise of the republic did not vanquish the palace, even though many of the furnishings were hauled off by angry mobs — no cake for them — it has been restored to its previous glory.

Versailles continues to play host to political functions by hosting heads of state in the Hall of Mirrors, and housing meetings of the Sénat and the Assemblée whenever revisions or amendments are made to the French Constitution.

The garden at Versailles near Paris, France

Statue of man and lion in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles near Paris, France

Nearly as impressive as the interior, the grounds have to be seen to be believed as well.

After all, what is an emperor’s country château without a garden?

We wouldn’t have to answer that question, because Versailles has the backyard to end all backyards.

Even in late autumn, we were easily engulfed by its lovely, lush repose.

Just have time for one day in Paris? Here’s what to do!

Fountain of horses in the gardens of Versailles near Paris, France - GypsyNester.com

The gardens of the Palace of Versailles near Paris, France

Almost two thousand acres of trees, flowers, fountains, ponds, statues, and perfectly trimmed hedges forming designs and mazes, all with string quartet music perfectly piped throughout.

No kidding, no matter where we walked it always sounded like they were right behind the next tree.

The gardens of the Palace of Versailles near Paris, France

Over time the gardens fell into a state of overgrowth, but now the Petit Parc – Louis XIV’s pleasure garden – is being restored to the same condition that it was in at the end of his reign in 1715.

Statue of La Seine in the gardens of Versailles near Paris, France
La Seine

And these are no made for TV reproductions either, this is the real deal.

Talk bout reality TV.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

DELVE DEEPER:
Just have time for one day in Paris? Here’s what to do!
See where we stayed in Paris
Want to see our full collection of odd art at the Louvre?
Head deep inside the Catacombes de Paris
Take a peek inside the Arc de Triomphe
Check out more about Notre Dame Cathedral
See more of our antics at the Eiffel Tower
Want more Paris? Click here!
Check out all of our adventures in France!

YOUR TURN: Is Paris at the top of your must-see list? Or have you already checked it off? What would be YOUR first stop in Paris?


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15 thoughts on “Lights, Camera, Action at The Palace of Versailles”

  1. I can’t believe I’ve been to Paris so many times and still haven’t made it to Versailles. It’s such a crazy display of opulence, I can only imagine it’s like Vegas, exactly the way it looks in pictures and on tv 🙂 Will just have to see for myself some day.

  2. How is it possible that I don’t know about this show? I’m off to google it right now. Versailles is way over the top but always worth a look-see especially the gardens – just beautiful!

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