I accidentally set my alarm too early so I was up an hour before I needed to be, but at least I slept (for a change!) We all ate and left the apartment by 8:30! We drove to the Palace of Versailles, and waited on line for a while, having gotten there at 9:30 but our tickets were for 10. The various rooms in the Palace were spectacular - the furnishings and the paintings on the walls and ceilings! But we could all understand some of the reasons for the French Revolution after viewing the unbelievable opulence.
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| The entrance to the Palace of Versaille |
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This and next 15 pictures taken in Versailles
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| Napolean Bonaparte |
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| Joan of Arc |
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| Hall of Mirrors |
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| Behind the Palace |
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| Near the Gardens |
After touring the buildings, we then walked out into the Gardens. Of course, September isn't the best season for the gardens, but you could see how beautiful they would be in Spring and Summer. We walked around, and wanted to see the Trianon Estates, but didn't know where they were. We also had tickets for the "Little Train" but didn't see that either. We were getting ready to leave when we saw one of the "Little Trains". We got on and were able to see around the gardens, but didn't have time to explore the Trianon Estates. When we realized how far they were, we never would have been able to walk there and back. On our way to the car, we saw a "take away" snack bar and got some sandwiches. Then we headed to Giverny.
Giverny was about an hour away, and we drove through some beautiful countryside. We arrived in this small town where Claude Monet lived and painted. We strolled through the gardens, which were magnificent, and then walked through his home. Unfortunately, it started to pour while we were there, and the house was very crowded.
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| This is where the water lily paintings came from. Unfortunately it was pouring! |
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| Monet's bedroom |
We went in and out of the varioius gift shops around, and then headed to the Impressionism Museum, which had a display of screens painted by Hiramatsu Reiji, who was inspired by Monet.
Then we drove home. David let Adele and I off at the apartment while he went to return the rental car. After he came back, we went to dinner at a great Italian restaurant just down the street called Simonetta's. Excellent! The picture below was on our walk home after dinner.
