EUROPE  -  19th June to 5th July 2008

Part 5
Staying near Versailles in France then with Chris near Caen
 4th - 5th July
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Thursday 3rd July

A long drive today from Interlaken with it absolutely pouring with rain all the morning. However it cleared up a bit in the afternoon and at 4.30 I arrived at Versailles. I'm staying in a very comfortable hotel just alongside the Palace.
Although I haven't bought a ticket as yet, and I plan to spend all tomorrow morning looking round, I wandered across and could see inside the main courtyard.
I could also look over the wall and see Marie Antoinette's formal garden,
and some of the Palace buildings. Hopefully more pictures after tomorrow.
I then went for a long walk and thanks to the map that the hotel porter gave me I found my way into old Versailles. This square is the heart of old Versailles and there were lots of market stalls together with some permanent covered areas selling meats, vegetables, fish and spices.
Friday 4th July

I was back here at the Palace of Versailles soon after 8.30 to discover that the ticket office and the Palace didn't open until 9.00. I sat on the steps and waited. When I eventually left at about 12.30 there was a queue about a mile long. So good job I did get there early.
One of the first things you see when you go in is the Royal Chapel.
Inside, the Chapel was wonderful. I saw so many amazing ceilings, but this was the first.
Thousands of priceless portraits. This must be the Queen, but which one I'm not sure.
One of the King Louis.
An amazing ceiling.
This is the Hall of Battles. It was established by King Louis Phillippe in 1837 and recalls the main victories in the history of France.
One of the later victories. The Battle of Wagram in 1809.
A monument to celebrate victory of a battle.

On the left is the King's bed and on the right the Queen's.
An amazing hall with mirrors and lights. Just look at the ceiling.
The grounds are quite incredible. Miles and miles of walks and side gardens. All immaculately kept by a large team of gardeners.
Even ponds in formal gardens that you only see if you go off the main path and find them.
Another formal garden but this one is just alongside the Palace.

Finally a panoramic view of the Palace taken from the gardens.
And that ends my holiday. Tomorrow I catch the mid-day boat from Caen to Portsmouth.
What a fantastic holiday !!!