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This is a picture taken from the front of Versailles: home of Louis XIV, the Sun King (or, shall I say, self-proclaimed Sun King?). It had just rained, so the marble "floor" in front looked especially nice. Because I didn't have a panoramic camera, this is about 1/10 of the actual front of the Versailles palace, though I thought it to be the most beautiful. |
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This is the back of Versailles. If you look closely, you'll see a little white shuttle bus near the middle of the picture (where the palace has a corner). Now, let me tell you that that "little white shuttle bus" actually seats 30 people lengthwise, and 4 across. That gives you an idea of how large the Versailles palace is. It takes about 40 minutes to walk around it, and that is if you walk briskly. The garden pictured in the foreground is like many that surround the palace at Versailles. |
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This picture was taken from some steps that lead to the rear courtyard of the palace at Versailles. I found this to be an interesting picture and a unique garden. An identical garden was located to the right of the stairs. This would've been a nice place to stroll on one of those boring afternoons when a king has no countries to raid or spies to behead. Maybe Louis XIV and his mistress(es) even snuck here for quickies at one point or another. That's what's great about France. It lets your imagination run wild. (Although I admit that mine should be kept in check more often than not). |
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This is a round little "theater" that Jessica and I found while we were trying to get lost in the many wooded areas that surround the palace at Versailles. Sculptures like this are located throughout these wooded areas. According to Sergic Tahmazyan:
Until 1685 the site of the present Colonnade was occupied by Le Notre's Grove of Springs with its narrow twisting paths weaving their way through the wood and crossing several little streams. On June 19, 1684, the Marquis de Dangeau noted in his diary that "the King has ordered a marble colonnade with big fountains for the spot where the Springs used to be". At the centre there now stands a copy of Girardon's Rape of Persephone.
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This is a statue of a man that ate his three sons in Hell. The Rodin museum has a sculpture of this man also. I kept hearing about him, but all I really know is that he ate his three sons in Hell. I would suppose that it would be hot enough there to have a barbecue, but you're not suppose to have your sons over for dinner "literally." Oh well, as they say, c'est la vie.
At any rate,.....This is located just south of the palace at Versailles, also in the wooded areas surrounding the actual building. If you pass this and keep going south, you will end up at a large outdoor amphitheater with an awesome round, wading-deep reflecting pool. I reflected upon my time spent in France. I miss it. |