Day 11 Versailles

Woke up late the elephants and the chanting finally gone. So much later than we wanted to be to get to Versailles. I was looking forward to more exploring of the gardens rather than going through the palace. Five years ago Sharon and I tired of the opulence of the monarchs wealth being on display and can understand why a revolution started here in 1789. Which concluded with 1000's of beheadings of the monarchy at the Place De La Concorde near the Louve. Which also included Marie Antoinette beheading.

We arrived at Versailles about 11.30, bought our tickets and by trying to avoid Sharon and Katie heading straight to the bling shops I steered us to a false start in another part of the palace. Jason got us sorted and went to the correct entrance and picked up our audio guides. The guides were much better than having to read all the signs like last time. 15 minutes into the crowded rooms and Katie was getting ansty and not enjoying the opulance and crowds. We explained to her there was far less people now than in the height of summer tourist season. It didn't help. We made our way through all the rooms still impressive the second time round but could not wait to get outside. Found a cafe had a quick lunch and outside we went. Lots of people loitering around so we headed to the left of the gardens to look for an amphitheater.

We passed all the statues which were covered for winter so that was disappointing. The amphitheater was locked so we could only see through the rusted gate. Started to get anoying now with everything shut so decided to head down to Marie Antoinette summer house Le Petit Trianon. On the way all the fountains were turned off and we discovered why. They were starting to freeze over. Katie started playing with the ice which amused her the most so far.

Had a nice look around Le Petit inside and out less flashy than the main palace but we all enjoyed it more less people. Headed outside to another larger fountain that was mainly frozen. Katie & Jason was enjoying breaking off shards of ice and smashing them into the frozen pond and watch them shatter. Then they decided to throw stone on the ice to try and break through to the water they failed. On to some triangular garden we discovered with no one else around. Katie was enjoying being away from the crowds. Then on to another larger building and checked out this one before heading towards Marie Attoinettes English Village.

It was at one time a fully functioning farm and village from the 1770 before their revolution. Sharon got excited when we came across what she thought was a Beaver it turned out to be a large rat. Supposedly at one time farmed and used for fur coats.

It was starting to get dark and decided to head back to our apartment. Jason found a short cut and we decided to give it ago. Came across a large trench we could not cross. Thought we saw a bridge in the opposite direction and headed towards it. The crossing was a lot further than we anticipated and once we did get there the gate was closed. So Jason's short cut doubled the distance we had to get back. Finally made it to the exit now almost in total darkness and headed for the train station and back to find a laundry mat, dinner & bar.