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Latest Versailles hotel reviews
Most people try to rush Versailles on a budget so they end up missing some of the highlights in a whirlwind. The key to seeing Versailles properly is a game plan, you must know what you want to see before setting out. Just consider some of these statistics: The number of trees in the garden is a whopping 200,000, and some 210,000 flowers are planted each year. There are 35 km of pipes and some 200 gardeners work year round to keep the garden at its radiant best. So you can imagine the immensity of this project and the need for a good definition of what you want to see.
By this 'game plan' structure I walked from the Bassin du Dragon towards Bosquet des Bains d’Apollon and after that to Bosquet de la Girandole. I continued my way to Bassin du Miroir, Jardin du Roi and Bosquet de la Colonnade. Finally I went on my way to Bosquet des Domes, Bosquet de l’Ancelade, Bassin d’Apollon and Bosquet de L’Obelisque. For every patio, statue or water basin I had my 'wanted to see' highlights and had lots of fun in planning the hike in advance. The garden of Versailles is simply a perfect place to walk for hours and pretending to know where you are.
Equipment: Have a look at Versailles Packing List.
Written Nov 9, 2008
Address: Versailles, Yvelines
Phone: 01 30 83 77 88
Website: http://www.chateauversailles.fr
And what a walk it must have been in those days, as the gardens stretches 3 kilometres from the gallery of the palace bedrooms to the Grand Canal. The gardens were built over an area of 800 ha, mobilising the most refined skills and the heaviest engineering work: the digging of the Grand Canal, the construction of imposing water reservoirs, of an immense network of pipes to supply the fountains! Water is drawn from the river Seine and the garden is dotted with 200 sculptures, making it the biggest open air museum in the world. I saw life size marble statues, beautifully sculpted, of the many Greek gods. But all was done by foot, in fact some of the most picturesque corners in the labyrinthine streets of the garden can only be reached on foot.
Take time to meander - losing yourself in the maze of alleys, patios, canals, statues, and lanes is one of Versailles's principal pleasures. The cluster of sights towards and around the Grand Canal are heart-clutchingly beautiful, but the more secret pleasures of the hushed backstreet patios are just entrancing. Maybe this is easy for me to say as I stayed for over eleven hours and not like most of the tourists only for two or three hours. But even when your stay is rather short, do try to get away from the crowds and just have a 'look around'. At first all this may seem very though as finding your way in Versailles might be difficult, but in really distances are short and the signs to the main areas (Grand Canal, Grand Trianon and Palace) will help you in getting around in Versailles.
Equipment: Have a look at Versailles Packing List.
Written Nov 9, 2008
Address: Versailles, Yvelines
Phone: 01 30 83 77 88
Website: http://www.chateauversailles.fr
I can honestly state that the best way to explore the gardens of Versailles is by foot and the second best way is also by foot! Besides giving you the opportunity to roam the narrow streets, patios, meadows and bridges , it is probably the quickest way too. If you really want to, you can cross the entire garden towards the Marie-Antoinette Estate in approximately 45 minutes. Remember that sometimes it might be quicker to take a short-cut across a patio, square, bends of bridges and alleys instead of following the usually paved ways.
Before I visited Versailles I already had a look at the internet. As I am from The Netherlands I am used to doing a lot by foot and I was pleasantly surprised that Versailles is a place in which everybody walks and you're truly able to explore all the sights by foot. My two feet were my best friends and therefore I was able to enjoy all the fascinating scenery Versailles had to offer. While most tour guides don't recommend getting lost in the majority of gardens, Versailles is the place to get hopelessly lost for a day. I wondered off through mysterious alleyways leading me away from the crowds. I ended up in endless mazes of backstreets, patios and deserted squares, the 'real' Versailles!
When I arrived … at first glance I was awe-struck at the magnificence and majesty of this garden. I just wondered off and I could well imagine the days of yore when the king and queen along with their entourage, walked the garden in their resplendent gowns.
Equipment: Have a look at Versailles Packing List.
Written Nov 9, 2008
Address: Versailles, Yvelines
Phone: 01 30 83 77 88
Website: http://www.chateauversailles.fr
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Reviews and photos of Versailles attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Versailles sightseeing.
I can honestly state that the best way to explore the gardens of Versailles is by foot and the second best way is also by foot! Besides giving you the...
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Q: In April we'll be staying at a hotel near the Sevres-Lecourbe station. We want to visit Versailles on a Sunday (not Easter). Which...
A: By my reckoning that would be Bir Hakeim/Champ de Mars Tour Eiffel, which is four stops on Metro Ligne 6 from Sevres-Lecourbe. Go to Metro Bir Hakeim which joins to...
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I was supposed to tour the Versailles on my first day in France but I landed up in Giverny instead. Undeterred, I cut short my trip in Belgium and went back to France. Versailles was the main reason...
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ON THE STEPS OF MARIE-ANTOINETTE.
I wanted absolutely to go back to Versailles now that the project of “le Grand Versailles” i.e. a large restoration campaign not only of the castle but also of the various buildings of the Domaine of...
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After a few days in Paris, I concluded my trip to this city with a visit to Versailles. I was feeling tired from walking a few days after each other in Paris, trying to absorb as much as I could of...
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I've got some interesting experiences in Versailles. I'd love to share with you the 23 tips I've written, the 115 photos uploaded, and 4 travelogues I've created.
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When Kings lived in Versailles
Versailles - about 20 km western Paris Formerly an immense hunting ground ( les Trianons ) Actualy the most famous "Chateau" in Europe - Peter the great tried to do it better - but failed. Some...
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