A Day at the Palace of Versailles
I have visited Versailles a number of times. It has mostly been during the high tourist season of summer . In that season, you steel yourself to the inevitable crush of humanity…wall to wall people, no chance for a photo without someone’s head getting in the shot and the 1 out of 3 blown shot because someone accidentally brushes your arm as you attempt to take a non flash photo in low light. Fun times. So…I was excited on this trip to attempt Versailles in low tourist season.
First of all..I would like to pass on to those who are thinking about going to Versailles and think they need the tour with a guide on a bus. YOU DON’T! Buy your ticket in advance ( approx. $25 Euros) and take the train (RER C) out to Versailles. Our group decided we wanted to see Versailles but not pay the over 100 Euros for a half day tour. We took a short walk across the Seine from our hotel to the Musée d’Orsay where you can catch the RER C train out to Versailles.
After a very peaceful 45 minute train ride out of Paris, we arrived in Versailles to sunny skies and cold temperatures. Perfect for touring Versailles…it gets really warm inside with all those people 
. All in all the experience was so much better in low tourist season. Not the mad crush of people. Don’t get me wrong…there were a lot of people there…just not a HUGE crush of people. This photographer was extremely grateful.
And…if you are lucky enough to be living in this beautiful country, this is where you get to take field trips. Ohhhh man! All I ever got to do in Illinois was visit Lincoln’s tomb. NOT the same. NOT even in the same ballpark. {Long Sigh….} C’est la vie.
Since we were not on an organized tour and completely at our leisure, we toured the Palace, had a quick bite, then decided to brave the cold elements and walk the 30 minutes through the gardens to The Grand Trianon.
Oh my word!! All that pink marble and gold yumminess. And…best of all…hardly anyone was there!! The photographer in me was literally jumping with joy.
Many, Many thanks to my travel companions who were patient with me as I snapped a bazillion photos here. Never in a million years did I think I would be able to capture some photos of this outdoor space at The Grand Trianon without a dozen people in the shot. I had the place to myself and I was loving every single second of it.
It was another most excellent day!!
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 
I am so enjoying your Paris posts! (I enjoy your non-Paris posts too, but well… lol) I was at Versailles when I was 16 and too young to appreciate it. Wow! Your pics are fabulous and would make amazing backdrops for dolls. Beautiful!
March 23, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Thank you Dawn!! No matter what age, I don’t think one can ever truly appreciate the size and scope of Versailles. It is just simply too….too big, too much, too expansive…just too. We just try to enjoy what we can. I completely agree on the backdrops. Stay tuned for pictures. Your beautiful repaints would be fabulous in front of these backdrops 🙂
March 24, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us, it was wonderful to enjoy it with you!
I can see some wonderful dolly backdrops from your Versailles photos, I suspect a French theme will be appearing in your photos soon 🙂
Glad you’re home safe.
Mel xx
March 23, 2013 at 1:59 pm
Thank you Mel. I am glad to be home but missing Paris already. You definitely called it…there will be a definite French theme infusing my photos for a while. 🙂
March 24, 2013 at 7:16 pm
I have chills just reading your description and seeing the pictures! Just spectacular!
Lori
March 23, 2013 at 2:35 pm
Thank you so much Lori! So glad you are coming along for the ride. I appreciate the lovely comments. 🙂
March 24, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Thank you so much for sharing your photos! I have enjoyed them so much. Just beautiful!
March 23, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Thank you so much Sari!! I am glad you are enjoying and commenting. I really appreciate the feedback and encouragement.
March 24, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Loving yr reports and pix. Another pal of mine at Versailles too! A fab clothing designer, Douglas Ferguson, from NYC. A former punk drummer pal turned set designer spent 2 yrs researching there … he did the art direction for Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette. I dunno, never held much fascination for me. But I love yr passion for it. YOU are doing something right in your life … home, studio, dolls, dolls and more dolls, and traveling. Yay for you. Such an inspiration! Thanks for sharing!
March 23, 2013 at 7:16 pm
Okay…you have the most fascinating friends EVER. I would die to spend time researching sets for a film at Versailles…a dream job for me. Thank you for the lovely comment. Life has to be lived and enjoyed. One of my travel companions had that brought home two years ago with a cancer diagnosis so this trip was very much a celebration of LIFE. 🙂
March 24, 2013 at 7:21 pm
Thanks for all the pictures..Looks like everyone had a great time over there. Suzanne
March 24, 2013 at 2:25 am
We did indeed have a most excellent time. Thank you for the lovely comment Suzanne! Glad you enjoyed the photos and posts.
March 24, 2013 at 7:22 pm
Je viens de découvrir votre reportage sur paris et le Fashion doll festival.
Magnifique vos photos de Paris, merci de nous faire partager ces super moments pour nous Français qui n’avons pas pu nous y rendre.
April 19, 2013 at 11:50 am