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A Day at Versailles

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My first visit to Versailles, my camera battery died not even half way through and I didn’t know near as much about photography as I do now.  I had this little pink point and shoot camera that I’m pretty sure I bought just because it was pink.  Fast forward six years and I’m back with my Mark IV and my ever patient husband! Seriously.  I went nuts with the photo taking!

Versailles is one of those places you spend hours visiting and never see it all.  A couple years ago I found this video by Scott Kelby (an amazing photographer by the way!! If you’re interested in photography at all, go look him up!) where he went to Versailles and had a goal of getting a post card worthy shot of the Hall of Mirrors without any people.  And he got it. He said he waited at the end of the hall literally until closing time.  I fact, it was more like 5 or 10 minutes after closing time. The tour monitors were getting angry with him for not leaving and were probably about to call security on him but he was waiting for that perfect moment when the very last person had left the room.  We were there until closing time but there was no way I could get that photo.  I applaud his patience and bravery!

These pictures in no way do this place justice.  If you ever have the chance to visit Versailles, wear good walking shoes, bring lots of water, make sure your camera battery is charged and go nuts with the picture taking. And then rent a bicycle (or a golf cart that plays Handel’s Water Music) to ride around the outer estate area. It’s incredible!

This was the throne room.  The throne itself is in The Louvre.

This is the King’s bed chamber where he actually slept.  Apparently, everyday there was a group of people waiting for him to wake up and there wold be waking up and going to sleep ceremonies.

This is where he ate dinner every night at 10pm with live chamber music.

And the ever famous Hall of Mirrors.