Worth it! A Day trip to Versailles from Paris

In 2010, we did a thirty-day tour of Europe. We started with four days in London and then moved on to Paris. Our first day was mainly resting and walking a little to see some of the major sites, including taking mass at Notre Dame Cathedral. Our second day consisted of a day trip to Versailles from Paris. This is how we survived.

Exhaustion was starting to take its toll. Our bodies were hurting, and tempers were getting short. This rainy Sunday morning, we planned on going to Versailles to see how French Royalty lived. On the way, we had to change metro stations and take a short walk near the Eiffel Tower. We were both miserable. We argued. I have no idea about what. We got over it by having a quiet breakfast at some overpriced café. We then headed out to Versailles.

If you plan on going anywhere where plenty of walking is required, research shoes. Buy fashionable shoes if you must, but make sure they are comfortable. Don’t go by brand. Read reviews. It may seem obsessive, but when you are walking the cobblestone streets of Versailles or marching up the Champs Des Elysees, you realize you must keep your feet as comfortable as possible. Moccasins make great shoes because they are dressy, casual, and comfortable at the same time. We highly recommend the Merrill brand when traveling.

Highlights of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles

Versailles is a

strange, beautiful place. Yes, it is a house as a tourist location, but Versailles is much more than that. You know from history classes that this will be a magnificent palace. When you turn the corner, you are just awed by how magnificent it is. Even though it’s undergoing some needed restoration, it instantly transports you back in time.

We weren’t the only ones who planned on going to Versailles today. It was as crowded as Disneyworld in the summer. Having read Rick Steves, we ordered our Paris museum passes, which included Versailles, ahead of time. This allowed us not to do the double wait—for tickets and then for entry. We basically just walked in, skipping what some people had said was a forty-minute wait.

We toured the house first. The opulence is amazing. I’ve shown the pictures to my classes, and each one, when seeing the ceiling of the private chapel, asks immediately if it was the Sistine Chapel. I think this points out how ornate the building is more than the kids being misinformed. We walked through the rest of the palace and ended up in the Hall of Mirrors. I suddenly think of all the history in which the mirrors are seen: The Bourbon Royalty, Napoleon, and the signers of the Treaty of Versailles. I turn to Cristina (the Mrs. of the Nola Nerd Couple), who is fixing her hair in the mirror, which means she is using the room as it was originally designed.

Planning A Day Trip to Versailles

Looking back on it 14 years later, to truly maximize your visit to Versailles and ensure it is as enriching and memorable as possible, planning is key. A day trip to Versailles from Paris isn’t just about stepping back into the grandeur of French history; it’s an immersive experience that allows you to walk through the same halls as kings and queens and witness firsthand the splendor that epitomized French royalty. Begin your day early to avoid the large crowds and have more intimate moments appreciating the intricate details of the palace interiors and the expansive beauty of its famous gardens.

Purchasing tickets in advance is highly recommended to bypass long lines, and considering a guided tour can enhance your understanding of the historical and cultural significance of each room and artifact. Don’t rush—allow yourself the time to stroll through the Gardens of Versailles, perhaps even renting a rowboat on the Grand Canal or watching the musical fountain show, both of which we wish we would have done.

Moreover, visiting Versailles offers a deeper appreciation of French history and its architectural achievements. It’s not just a tourist activity; it’s an enlightening journey into the past that enriches your understanding of the present. Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, or simply in search of a beautiful escape, a day trip to Versailles will undoubtedly be a highlight of your trip to France. This experience combines education, awe, and relaxation, making it a comprehensive excursion well worth your time.

Mexican Food in France

On the way back to the train station from Versailles, we noticed a Tex-Mex restaurant. Curiosity got the better of us. We had to see how the French interpret Tex-Mex. Plus, we were getting a little homesick, and Cristina loved the Americanized version of Mexican food. It was a good idea to be normal for a change. Cristina ordered fajitas, which were quite good and very similar to those of Superior Grill in New Orleans. I ordered tres amigos, which were kabobs with chicken, steak, and sausage. The star of my dish was the sausages, which were fresh and spicy.

After Versailles: Les Invalides

On the return to Paris from Versailles, we decided to stay with the theme of French royalty, even if that royalty was self-proclaimed. We headed to the L’Hôtel National des Invalides, which serves as both a French army museum and the final resting place for Napoleon. It is also part of the Paris Museum Pass. For military buffs, this is a very detailed museum of the French army from medieval times up till the turn of the last century. We only toured two sections of the museum, and our brains were overloaded with information. Next, we worked our way to the section where Napoleon was buried. Napoleon wasn’t a huge guy, yet his sarcophagus is enormous.

Leaving the museum, we really felt the toll of all the days so far. Cristina’s feet were killing her. The shoes were not handling the uneven surfaces of some of the streets and sidewalks well. We went back to the hotel and enjoyed a simple dinner from a local restaurant or maybe even the hotel—I can’t remember. When you are doing a thirty-day tour of Europe, the worst days are the 4-8. Your body is struggling to get used to all the walking, especially if you live in more rural areas that don’t afford you all the places to walk.

After our day trip to Versailles, we had one more day in Paris, and we packed in as much as we could in that one day.

First stop: The Louvre.

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