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The Palace of Versailles is one of the truly remarkable places I have ever visited. Dad, being
a history major, wanted to see it, so I went along. I had no idea how big or enjoyable the venture would be. I could have
spent at least a day, and maybe two, trying to see everything. It is a vast palace and garden complex, and includes the famous
Hall of Mirrors where the Germans surrendered WWI.
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The Château de Versailles -- or simply Versailles -- is a royal chateau a few miles from Paris. From 1682,
when King Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in 1789, the court of Versailles
was the center of power under the Ancien Regime. Those who are not French tend to call it the "Palace of Versailles."
It is an amazing thing of beauty, and the three hours Dad and I spent there were not nearly enough. Also note the cobblestone --
this is not a place for women to wear high heels.
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Dad poses in the famed Hall of Mirrors, where the Germans signed the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 to end World War I.
The following is taken from wikipedia.com. The Hall of Mirrors is a large room in the palace. It is generally
considered one of the major attractions of the palace and is currently undergoing restoration. It was in this hall that the
German Empire was proclaimed on January 18, 1871, following the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War.The
Hall of Mirrors is located on the first floor of the building. It contains 578 mirrors. It is 73 meters long, 10.50 meters
wide, and 12.30 meters high. Seventeen windows, opening onto the gardens, face seventeen arcades lined with mirrors.
These mirrors, of an exceptional size for the time, were produced by Saint-Bobain, a Parisian manufacture created by
Colbert to compete with the products of Venice.
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A view from the Palace of Versailles of one ot the many gardens located on the premisis.
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I have no idea what this entryway represents, but it is spectacular. Note the double doors on both sides of the center
wall.
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When I say what a bed, I mean WHAT A BED. I would love to try this one out
for a night's rest. If I am not mistaken, I recall that this one was listed as Marie Antoinette's resting place.
Dad poses in front of the majestic garden's. You could spend an entire day
trying to hike around this massive garden complex!
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