We went to Louis XIV, The Sun King's chateau at Versailles today and guess what, it rained! What a shame! We went through the palace and headed out to the Garden - if you think the house is massive, then wait till you see the garden! And way in the distance are the Grande and Petit Trianons as well as Marie Antoinette's estate but as we got near, after walking through only part of the gardens, the sky opened and it teemed. And then hail! We were freezing, and wet, it was 3.30 PM and so we headed for the train. And when you go through the chateau at Versailles, you can well understand why there was a revolution. You can see it in every painting, every statue, and every door of gold leaf, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of each. It is meant to impress and it does but it is the absolute ultimate in kingly excess and abuse of power probably not seen since the Pharoahs and the Pyramids of Egypt. However, the Palace at Versailles is a visible reminder important to an understanding of the history of France. It is also interesting that many treaties were signed at Versailles, including The Paris Treaty (1983) which ended the American Revolutionary War with England and The Treaty Of Versailles, which ended World War One but after The French Revolution and the removal of Louis XVI, Versailles never again became the important centre of power and government that it became with Louis XIV.
Bonjour! More rain! And more hail! Don't be upset when I tell you that it's been hot here! Isn't Versailles HUGE?! Although I think you could still hear Roger from the opposite end of the Palace...talk about whingeing! He's taken to biting my toes! Lucky for him I'm not Marie Antoinette otherwise it might be "Off with his head!" You've seen so many interesting things and places, it will be hard for you to pick your favourites. But I'm looking forward to hearing about them all. Missing you heaps, lots of love, Mum XXXXXXXXXXXX
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