We started off at Versailles at 10ish - knew it should be after initial queue, but not too late in the day. Got in line for the gate when it ran across front of courtyard, then snaked the courtyard length 2.5 times. We had estimated it would be an hour - and were not far off. By the time we were at the front of the line, it had 5 lengths of the courtyard.
In to the main section, with a history, then up to the King's apartments, and the Hall of Mirrors, then over to the Grand Hall and its painted battle scenes. The Marie-Antoinette rooms were closed, but we saw many of the pieces when we had visited the Louvre.
Back down to the main level, and over to the Mesdames (king's daughters) apartments.
Once done there, we headed through the gardens to the sound of various classical music pieces, walking down the grand staircase and then past the fountains on the east side. We headed towards the Grand Trianon, another building and gardens in the NE corner - built to allow king and family to get away from the rigid court life. After seeing a retrospective on Peter the Great's Paris visit we headed back out. We decided to pay and take the little train back up due to the distance we had already covered, and knowing the gardens would be closing at 5:30, as at 8:30 they would be opening again for a set of fireworks.
So, we were taking one last shot of the main facade and fountain, when a young couple stopped us. They asked if we were interested in a pair of tickets to the Serenade and Grand Fireworks for that evening, as they couldn't go and had been given them earlier in the day by the original person. We looked at one another and said 'Yes'! Turns out the Serenade was an hour long set of short performances, going through the King's apartments again- starting with an opera sonata-
Followed by an example of court dancing and violin -
And culminating in an epee battle-
Once finished with the show, we got to exit the inner courtyard from their main gates-
After killing about 30ish minutes, decided to walk back towards the gardens (since they said they opened at 8:30), only to find they had already started to let people in, though the fountains weren't on yet, so we strolled into the west side. Ainsley had worn her Chacos, and while she was a trooper, there was a new blister starting. So, to enjoy the fountains, we switched shoes.
This allowed us to visit the Orangery, see the dancing fountain the at the 'Mirror Lake' and see the 'Ballroom Fountain'.
At this point, I looked at the tickets regarding the fireworks to see they started at 10:50 and ended at 11:30. Neither of us wanted to be catching the 12:00 train, knowing that it was an hour ride back, so we headed for the train then (9:30ish). It was still midnight when we got to the hotel room.
So, thank you Denise Klassen, whomever you are, for the use of your €84 tickets - they were greatly enjoyed.
You are killing me on the step challenge!
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