Eiffel Tower and Beyond: Exploring Paris and Versailles
God knows, I love traveling! The sights, people, culture, food, and history of a new city always leave me inspired and in awe of humanity. This past summer, Paris was one of two destinations I chose to explore—and I’m so glad I did.
Before leaving Dallas, TX, my sons and I carefully mapped out the tourist attractions we wanted to visit. Unsurprisingly, the Eiffel Tower was at the top of our list. However, upon arriving in Paris, we learned about one of France’s most iconic landmarks: the Palace of Versailles, also known as Château de Versailles. We couldn’t resist the opportunity to visit, so we set off for Versailles, a 45-minute drive from the heart of Paris.
Nothing could have prepared us for the jaw-dropping magnificence that greeted us. Everything glittered with gold, telling vivid stories of the opulent lives of French aristocrats from centuries past.
The Palace of Versailles: A Historical Marvel
At the palace entrance, we found ourselves amidst a sea of visitors from around the world, all eager to witness the grandeur of the French royal family’s lifestyle. Pro tip: If you ever visit, be sure to purchase a fast-track ticket to skip the long lines.
Who would have imagined that one of the most extraordinary palaces in the world began as a humble hunting lodge in 1624, built for King Louis XIII of France?
King Louis XIII’s son, Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, took the lodge to a whole new level. Initially using it as a summer retreat, he transformed it into an extravagant palace that would become the center of France’s political power.
King Louis XIV, the visionary behind Palace of Versailles.In 1682, Louis XIV moved from Paris to Versailles, bringing with him at least 5,000 nobles and their families, partly to keep them under his watchful eye. His reign lasted an incredible 72 years and 110 days, the longest of any major European monarch in history.
Highlights Of Touring the Palace
Our first stop was the Palace Chapel, completed in 1710. It was the last building constructed at Versailles under Louis XIV’s reign. The chapel’s second level was reserved for the King, the royal family, and important court members during mass, while the rest of the congregation occupied the ground floor. The chapel’s ceiling, adorned with breathtaking art, symbolized the continuity between the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.
Next, we explored the Peer Salon, where the Queen of France received official audiences and ladies of the court were presented to her. This was followed by the Nobles Salon, which served as the antechamber to the Grand Couvert, the royal dining room. Remarkably, the King and Queen dined publicly here around 10 PM, with many onlookers observing their meals. Only their children and grandchildren were permitted to share the table.
The Inner Sanctum: Louis XIV’s Bedchamber
One of the most memorable parts of the tour was Louis XIV’s bedchamber, adorned with opulent gold and silver brocade on crimson fabric.
King Louis XIV’s bedIt was here that the Sun King passed away on September 1, 1715, at 8:15 in the morning. Among the room’s decor was a painting of David from the Bible playing the harp—one of Louis XIV’s favorite pieces of art.
While photography was allowed in some parts of the palace, flash was prohibited to preserve the delicate interiors. Though some of my photos are a bit dim, the memories of the grandeur and history remain vivid.
The Hall of Mirrors and the Life of Queen Marie-Antoinette
This stunning room is called the Hall of Mirrors, where state functions were once held.
Originally, it was furnished with magnificent silver pieces, but these were melted down in 1689 to fund war expenses. Words cannot truly capture the breathtaking beauty of this room.
The walls are lined with ornate gold lampstands, adding to the grandeur and opulence of the space.
Queen Marie-Antoinette: A Controversial Icon
Below is a vintage portrait of Queen Marie-Antoinette, painted when she was only 12 years old. Born in 1755 into the Austrian Habsburg dynasty, she was known as Archduchess Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna. Her parents, Emperor Francis I and Empress Maria Theresa, ruled Austria at the time. At the age of 14, she was married to Louis-Auguste (later Louis XVI), who was just 15, as part of an arranged marriage designed to strengthen alliances between Austria and France.
Marie-Antoinette’s journey to France was nothing short of royal spectacle: she traveled with 57 carriages, 117 footmen, and 376 horses. At 19, she became the Queen of France, but her extravagant lifestyle and detachment from the realities of her subjects fueled widespread resentment. She became a symbol of the excesses of the monarchy, ultimately contributing to the French Revolution.
One of the most infamous anecdotes about her comes from the alleged remark, “Let them eat cake,” supposedly made when she was informed that the poor couldn’t afford bread. While historians dispute whether she ever said this, the phrase epitomizes her perceived ignorance of the common people’s struggles.
Her life ended tragically: as consort to Louis XVI, she was beheaded in 1793 following the king’s execution. Her final words reflected her suffering:
“I was a queen, and you took away my crown; a wife, and you killed my husband; a mother, and you deprived me of my children. My blood alone remains: take it, but do not make me suffer long.”
Inside the Queen’s Chambers
The Queen’s bedchamber, heavily adorned and symmetrical to the King’s Grand Apartment, reflects the immense luxury of the time. Public scrutiny was an inescapable part of her life; even her marriage bed was open to the public, as producing an heir was critical for the monarchy. Shockingly, she gave birth before an audience of over 200 people.
The room’s ornate ceiling showcases the artistic brilliance of the era. A notable event tied to this chamber occurred on October 6, 1789, when the queen escaped an angry mob through a door near her bed, seeking refuge in the King’s apartment.
A famous story about this room is that on October 6th, 1789, Queen Marie-Antoinette escaped the rioting crowds by the door to the left of the bed so she could take refugee in the King’s apartment.
The King’s Private Spaces
This section of the palace is where King Louis XVI stored his most precious artifacts.
On October 6, 1789, the King, Queen Marie-Antoinette, and their son, the Dauphin, appeared on the balcony of this room to address an enraged crowd. They were subsequently forced to leave Versailles for Paris, marking the end of an era.
Exploring The Vast Gardens of Versailles
The gardens of Versailles are a world unto themselves—spanning a staggering 800 hectares (one hectare equals 2.47 acres).
This is just a tiny portion of the vast gardens of Versailles. To fully explore the gardens, fountains, and pools, you’d need at least two or three hours.
This massive expanse features 200,000 trees, 210,000 flowers planted annually, 50 fountains, 620 water jets, and a 5.57 km Grand Canal. It’s no wonder the gardens are considered a masterpiece of landscape design.
By the time our tour concluded, we were completely exhausted. The sad part? We hadn’t even covered half of the palace! However, I plan to return in the future to see more. What amazes me most is this grand palace was built in an era without telephones, technology, automobiles, social media, sophisticated construction machinery, or any of the conveniences we take for granted today. It’s astonishing to think they achieved such magnificence with only horses, carriages, and sheer determination.
A Reflection Of My Experience
So, what did I take away from this experience? It was worth every minute and penny spent. While all that glitters is indeed gold in the Palace of Versailles, the royal family’s story reminds us that not everything glittering is golden in life. Their opulent lifestyle ignited the ire of the masses, ultimately forcing them into exile. Accused of being insensitive to the struggles of their people, they became symbols of excess and detachment.
May Oyairo in Palace of VersaillesIt’s wonderful for things to glitter in our lives, but it’s even better when we apply the sunscreen of sensitivity to tone down the sparkle and remain mindful of the world around us.
May Oyairo is the Publisher of MannaXPRESS
6 Comments
Love this. Now I have Versailles on my mind.
Wonderful write up and pictures. Thank you for sharing.
I remember learning about French history in school and not understanding. But this has made up for my history class. Thank you May. Please keep it coming.
Was here two years ago and loved it! Cannot wait to go back on my next trip to Paris.
My wife and I just recently went to Paris and visited Versailles, even though it snowed the night before, our visit to Versailles was, as you said, jaw dropping.
In my opinion, visiting Versailles should be listed as a “must” in everyone’s bucket list.
Thank you Mrs. Olusola for sharing your experience with us.
Reading your comments and seeing your pictures has brought me back to that special place as is Versailles.
I am so glad you had fun in Versailles. I cannot wait to get back there in the near future. I agree with you it should be listed as a “must visit.” Thanks for sharing your experience.
May