Is it a castle? Is it a palace? It's Château de Versailles! It's everything you can imagine it to be. Actually, it's much more than our imagination can visualize. It is no doubt why it is a MUST SEE place that is visited by over 7 million tourists every year!
Versailles is a little outside of Paris. There are a few ways to reach Château de Versailles; Car, Metro+bus or RER.
For public transportation, you can search your easiest, fastest way by using the website http://www.ratp.fr/itineraires/en/ratp/recherche-avancee to see which metro and/or bus to take. For my route, i find it easiest to use the metro to Pont de sevres station then take the bus 171 to Versailles. This way, i can see the city while sitting on the bus as well! Compare to sitting in the underground train with,, well let's face it.. it's dirty and kind of dangerous for the possibility of meeting the gypsies. The bus always seem to be the safer way.
Whether you take the RER or bus, you will see this big statue of King Louis XIV before reaching the golden gate to the palace.
Tadaaaa!!! And here we aree!!!
The glorious golden gate to paradise… whoops i mean Palace!
Getting in the Palace is not that easy… you buy the tickets (Check on their official website for the prices http://en.chateauversailles.fr/prepare-my-visit/single/tickets-and-rates/tickets-and-rates/tickets-and-rates-1) on the left building (facing in the palace) then you have to queue up on the loooooong line of tourists, passing through security check and then voilà! Bienvenue to Château de Versailles.
Can feel the gradiose vibe just from the exterior design… Can't wait to go in!
Just your mundane corridor.. speaking for the King obviously.
You can never look at your backyard garden the same way again…sorry.
The famous Halls of Mirrors is always crowded as you can expect. The beauty is beyond anything you can imagine.
Whose heaven's home is this?
Like seriously… how do you clean all these delicates?
'What has been seen, cannot be unseen.' Not that i want to!
Besides the grandeur palace, the garden or park is an attractive factor that brings in so much visitors. It is the perfect place to hang or even better… a date! Imagine learning the history of the fabulous palace, then stroll around the park or you can even row the boat at the lake and have some gelato. The lucky girl will definitely fall for you!
I can walk around all day!
Feeling hungry? There are kiosks selling snacks and drinks as you enter the garden area.
Let the Garden tour begins!
Can you see the palace way wayyyy back there?
Besides boats, they also have bicycles for rent as well.
The place where it's ok to fall..
I call the Grand Trianon the Pink home! Most of the design is in pink theme! J'adore!
Like entering a movie set..
Like what disney movie am i in? Which princess am i?
The princess and the pea bed?
For a few days, i can't seem to find my headphone, being here… at this gigantic palace.. can't help but wonder what if the king or someone lose a ring or something, will they be able to find it? or just forget it. I don't even have to think of the answer, if you can afford this place, whatever you lose probably cost nothing to you. I would not want to play hide and seek here that's for sure.
Getting a bit hungry walking around? Don't worry have some gelato!
To completely explore around Château de Versailles would take days. MY time limit allows me to cover only 10 percent of the whole Château. Being the King here must be tiring,, actually.. think of the maid cleaning the palace and gardeners! Oh boy…I also wonder how the staff manage to get people out of the premises everynight. Will there be anyone try to hide and spend the night at this fabulous place?
As i have limited timing to get to the train station leaving Paris. I decide to take the taxi. This is where i meet a friendly driver from Algeria, who apparently used to teach Arabic. He is almost like my tour guide telling all sorts of stories for each attractions we pass by such as how many florists in Paris get the flowers from Parc Monceau. He even tells me about his income as a taxi driver in Paris. The drivers get 30% of the meter, the baggage costs and tips (if any). The pricing is categorized into 3 tarifs; Tarif a – after 10am is cheaper, Tarif B after 5 pm more expensive, Tarif C – saturday midnite to 7am on sunday very expensive. So for those who want to take the taxi in Paris, better avoid the night rides, especially on saturday night!
But for now…Au revoir! A Bientôt!