Our last day in Paris.  Last night we went to a huge metro/urban train station where we were able to buy tickets for tomorrows train ride.  We thought we had to go to the train station, but a girl on the hotel desk told us we could get tickets at that particular station.  Much better for us.  Our goal today was to see Versaillies.  We took the metro to a station where we could catch an urban train and that train went all the way to Versaillies.  We got to the palace about 9am when the ticket offices opened and when we bought our tickets, there was a special of a guided tour of some particular areas which are not opened to the public.   So for 1 euro extra we got an hour and a half tour where most people don't get to see which was fantastic.  They don't open the areas to the public because the exhibits are so delicate they want to have control over the people entering these areas.  Not only is the place huge, but the opulance is mind blowing.  Everthing is either covered with gold leaf or gilded.  The exhibits for the most part are original Louis XIV, XV, and XVI.  A huge number of pieces (about 700,000)were sold off   Many considered quality art were saved and taken to the Louvre.  They are still trying to locate some of the pieces which were sold off.  It is amazing that they have as much as the do.  Some pieces like chairs have been recovered in period style of fabric.

Versaillies

After our tour we picked up audio guides and started on the regular none guided tour.  The crowds were horrific at times but you go room to room and your mouth drops open more. It would take days to take everthing in, and I am sure something would be missed. 

This clock was built in the 16th century for Louis the XVI and was the first clock to have a second hand.  It also has the day, month and year.  It is only wound oncea month and is very accurate.  It will be able to be used for the date until 9999.  It also has moon phases and did have the movement of the planets (not working now).

Hall of Mirrors

 

The hall of mirrors.  It breath taking when you walk into it.  Its hard to imagine this was 4 one family.  Apparently 8000 people lived and worked at this during Louis time.  The whole government was here and the upper people lived in various appartments.  Poor Louis he had to attend to many ceremonies each and every day including having dinner with a room full of people watching.




The gardens are just as opulent as the rest of the palace, and will add some pictures maybe tomorrow.  Right now it is bed time as we have to be up at 6 to get to the train station.