European Vacation--Day 2 Paris
After a fantastic breakfast in the hotel (coffee, oj, smoked bacon, grilled tomatoes, fresh fruit, and a croissant), we headed out of Paris to Versailles. It was providential we came into Versailles just before the ceremony for the laying of the wreaths at their Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in observance of the end of World War I (our Veteran's Day). We stayed for the ceremony and then made our way to the Palace of Versailles.
Versailles is absolutely stunning. We enjoyed the tour of the various rooms and strolled through the gardens and visited the Trianon palaces. What a blessing the palaces were not gutted and destroyed during the revolution. They are a real French national treasure worthy of preservation and admiration.
After a late lunch of extremely delicious crepes we went back into Paris to see Sainte Chapelle. The stained glass was amazing! Unfortunately, much of the chapel is being restored and so we were unable to see it in its full glory.
We decided to try the Eiffel Tower again. The lines were much shorter but it still took a very long time to make our way to the summit via elevators. It was after dark by the time we reached the top and we had beautiful views of Paris all lit up. The lines back down the tower were quite backed up so we took the stairs, around 1700 steps from the summit to the ground. Obviously taking the stairs down is much easier than taking them up, but that is still quite a lot of stairs!
Versailles is absolutely stunning. We enjoyed the tour of the various rooms and strolled through the gardens and visited the Trianon palaces. What a blessing the palaces were not gutted and destroyed during the revolution. They are a real French national treasure worthy of preservation and admiration.
After a late lunch of extremely delicious crepes we went back into Paris to see Sainte Chapelle. The stained glass was amazing! Unfortunately, much of the chapel is being restored and so we were unable to see it in its full glory.
We decided to try the Eiffel Tower again. The lines were much shorter but it still took a very long time to make our way to the summit via elevators. It was after dark by the time we reached the top and we had beautiful views of Paris all lit up. The lines back down the tower were quite backed up so we took the stairs, around 1700 steps from the summit to the ground. Obviously taking the stairs down is much easier than taking them up, but that is still quite a lot of stairs!
Tombs of Unknown Soldiers in Versailles
French Military Band
Louis XIV outside the Palace of Versailles
First Gate at Versailles Palace
Interior gate at Versailles Palace
The beautiful royal chapel inside the palace
An example of the larger than life artworks throughout the palace
Statuary inside the Versailles
I love this marble bust. I've never seen this type of marble work before in which a bust is carved of Porfyry stone and then an overlay of another type of marble is set in place.
I loved this ceiling artwork. At first glance it looks like a relief sculpture, then you realize it is a painting made to appear like a relief. So amazing!
Every ceiling is an absolute masterpiece.
The famed Hall of Mirrors in Versailles
This marble sculpture and standing chandelier are worth more than our entire house.
The back of the palace leading to the thousands of acres of gardens and fountains. Unfortunately, none of the fountains were running. That would have been a site in itself.
A beautiful living chrysanthemum flower sculpture in the Trianon plaza.
Lil' Lamb loved his sugar crepe.
The main altar and stained glass of Sainte Chapelle
Chandeliers and stained glass of Sainte Chapelle
The grand stained glass of Sainte Chapelle
An example of the beautiful and elaborate frescos inside Sainte Chapelle
Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately, I was not able to get a shot of the tower lit up. Perhaps another time.
Comments
Happy Advent,
the godfather