Versailles

Yesterday we went to Versailles. We all had such a fun amazing day. The forecast said showers (it has been unusually cold and rainy here) but we went anyway. Started with a tour of the Chateau, which is impressive. A bit much for my personal tastes, but if you think about the time it was built during, you can't help but be impressed. (Unless of course you are a three year old, in which case the iPad is far more interesting). S recognized the Hall of Mirrors from a Little Einsteins episode in which they had a Halloween Party there. (Yes, S that's why it's so famous. And no, they only put the party table out on special occasions.) Mid tour we bought each boy a little Napoleon. S's is a plastic figurine riding a horse. E's is a small stuffed version. Might be the best money we ever spent. The kids were in heaven!

The Gardens at Versailles looking up at the Chateau

After lunch in the garden, we walked, and walked, and walked. The fountains were on, and I have to say, considering when they were designed, and considering that all the water for them had to be rerouted from miles away, they are impressive. Honestly they are pretty impressive even by today's standards. We walked to the Hamlet, an area on the far side of the property which Marie Antoinette built as a play village for herself. It is so gorgeous! It had a real dairy, real vegetable gardens, a whole little pretend town, which she had real people run and then she would go down dress in a white cotton gown and straw hat and pretend to be a peasant. It's good to be the queen (until the beheading of course). But I have to admit, I LOVED the hamlet and if I am ever to rule a country I will construct one immediately for my own. It's like the best doll house ever. S loved our walk and the Hamlet area. He ran all around, looked at the farm animals, there were many, feed the giant fish in the pond. We ended the day with a look at the orangerie and the grand finale fountain show. The rain held-off, literally until the minute we were leaving. It was such a fantastic day, we all had such a great time and got so much out of the experience.

The Hamlet

We followed-up today with a quick trip to the Conciergerie, the building where prisoners were held while they waited for the guillotine. Marie Antoinette spent two years here while she waited her turn. Now they have a little chapel here dedicated to her memory and a room of remembrance for all of the others. It's shocking how being at a place where something happened gives a person such a deeper understanding of the event, the person, the time. I always thought of Marie Antoinette as spoiled and selfish, and she was. But she was also a little girl who was given way to much power, she was strong, she had a lot of personality. I have come away from learning more, liking her a lot.

We also saw Saint Chappelle today (it's right next door to the Conciergerie). Built to house the crown of thorns by Louise IX, it is breathtaking. The upper chapel is two-stories of stain glass all the way around the room. When we walked up, I was holding S, and he looked at me and said "This is really cool!". Hooray! We have succeeded in helping our child appreciate culture. At least on the level a three year old can. Looking at him and seeing the understanding that we are someplace special, someplace unique in the world, reminded me again why we dragged our children to France, and how much they are learning and growing here with us.

S has learned a ton while here. On our first day we bought a children's book of the monuments of Paris. The night before we visit one, Gardner reads about it to the kids and they look at the pictures. After the visit that night they re-read. It's really sinking-in. S knows almost all of the famous monuments by name. Tonight he and Gardner were looking at pictures, and one of the Arc de Triumph came-up. Gardner asked him, what it was called, and S answered. Then he surprised us both by saying, "And do you know who built it?.....Napoleon."

Tomorrow we are headed out for a 2 night trip in the Dordogne. I am really excited! A bit off your typical tourist route, and a little more rustic, the kids will love it.