Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles is among the most visited sites in France—and always has been. Even historically, large crowds would attend court there under Louis XIV—who might never have imagined that, centuries later, more than 10 million visitors would stroll through his halls and pristine gardens every year.

The Palace of Versailles was first built as a hunting lodge by Louis XIII, but it was made into the lavish palace as we know it today by his successor Louis XIV.

Versailles is a much popular attraction to visit when visiting Paris, and I highly recommend that you do. We actually sacrificed a visit to the Louvre to go, and I do not regret it. In fact, its simply another excuse just to get back to Paris! ;)

The gardens were impressive - large and expansive - you could get lost! But, we also found them cold and impersonal - with tall hedges and long pathways that make you feel like you'll be lost forever. The Palace itself is also impressive - gold everywhere and COMPLETELY over the top. But it just reminded us how ignorant and self-indulgent the rich can be. No wonder the poor, starving people of Paris wanted to kill her when Marie Antoinette said, "Well...let them eat cake."

Magnificant architecture and history. to be lost for a full day in the old french monarchy! The palace and the gardens are breathtaking. You feel like you are in another world, and feel the history.