Versailles, Paris

Today has been a long day at Versailles with a small group of 8 and a lovely young lady guide.  It was another free day because of Heritage Weekend for Parisians and other visitors.  We even got a refund of part of our ticket from the company because there was no fee to get into one part of the palace.
The palaces and other buildings were very ornate.  Although they were kings and queens I wouldn't like to have lived in their time.  The Sun King, Lois XIV, lived till he was 77 but during that time he only had 11 baths.  He did everything with an audience - yes, EVERYTHING!!!  Each day they 'powdered' or had a wipe over -that was all, no bathrooms or toilets.
Mary Antoinette's little hamlet that she built 6 years before her beheading was quaint but in a bad state of disrepair so we were unable to go into the buildings.
The thing that impressed me the most was the gold leaf that gilded almost everything.  WOW, the expense.  No wonder it is well guarded and has high security. 
We had lunch at a small resteraunt in the grounds.  It originally was a stable so had feed and hay troughs.

King Lois XIVs bed - glad he didn't fall out, he would have broken his neck!  The rail is where people stood behind and watched his every move.

A very small part of the gardens at Versailles.  I think I might try to replicate these in my front yard.  Only problem is that I can't fit in the lakes and fountains.

This is the restaraunt where we had lunch.  Notice the feed troughs and hay racks.  The floor was the original cobbles - hard on the feet after a day of walking.

 

All of the doors are very ornate, gilded with gold leaf.

 

We are now back in Paris and thinking about a walk to the Tower or a boat ride - decision still pending!