35. Off to Versailles

Got the Montparnesse train station and it is a bit more hectic than any other.

I had to ask what train about four times and kept getting something from another.

Just took it in good faith that I would get there

When I arrived I had to walk some more up through the town square.

Turning the corner, there could be no mistake to where to go,

High on a hill was this castle shining over the town lying low.

For being off season, the crowd was bustling and shuffled in order,

To get your individual tour recorder.

Nearly 15 million visitors each year come to see

Over 100 rooms that bear the pomp  of the17th century.

The old brick & stone chateau of Louis XIII

Was transformed by his son Louis XIV.

After you enter the gates, you are in the Royal Courtyard

I can only imagine the clopping of the horse carriages and guards.

The Palace was embellished in the 18t century

By Louis XV and Louis XVI, then the later lost his head.

Entering the Great Hall, you may go to mass each day

Where the finest orchestras in France played.

Down each twisting arched corridor

To each room is a twenty foot guided door.

In the State Room the fireplace must be at least six feet tall,

All the walls, mantels and floor all done in marble.

 The ceiling, walls every space

Were commissioned by artists to paint this place.

 To leave the State Rooms to get to the private chamber

You must enter the Hall of Mirrors corridor

Eighteen windows and matching mirrors, marbled floor.

Many Balls and festivities were held in this room

So much wealth and glitz, it is easy to see why they met their doom.

The Kings Chamber is incredible to see,

Where he held private meetings and parties.

Marie Antoinette had her own private bed chambers in her separate wing

Where she kept her ladies in waiting, and musicians that sing.

All the crowds and all this opulance was getting to me,

I needed to take a walk and feel a bit free.

Walking out into the garden takes your breath away,

For there are fountains, canals and mazes every which way.

There are 33 groves and fountains with their own theme,

All spiraling off the grand scheme.

I began to walk thinking the canal would end

But when I thought it was, there was a bend.

Had I picked up a map before the start

I would have seen that this was a 787 acre park.

When I came to the end, I found out later

That this point was 3.1 kilometers.

Now I had to get back.

For my feet hurt as well as my back.

I treked along until I saw more people

Noticed in the distance a house steeple.

Followed the crowd and came upon

Another palace, The Grand Trianon.

It seems Louis XIV used this as his summer house  stay

Where he could enjoy a simplier way.

Years later Napoleon had the palace retored

And used it as his headquarters.

The restoration began by Charles DeGaul

Who saw the worth of saving it all.

Further down the road is the private estate of M. Antoinette

Designed for Louis XV mistress, M. De Pompadour and where they met.

M. Antoinette preferred living here during the summertime,

And decorated the palace as well as commissioned the garden with every plant kind.

I noticed many families on bicycles or golf carts,

Obviously they knew how large it was from beginning to start.

If I would ever return, I certainly would rent one,

For then my feet wouldn't hurt and I would have more fun.