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The Chateau – You can walk through the State Apartments
of the King and Queen at your own pace, and there's an audio tour of the
King's Chamber. The Hall of Mirrors is impressive, just think of courtiers
milling around every day or the masked balls in full splendor. Especially
lovely is the floral canopy and hangings in the Queen's Bedchamber. (Our
kids were totally blasé about the lavish décor in the State Apartments). |
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Head for the gardens, just a glorious place to explore
– massive gilded fountains with mythical creatures, lines of statues,
and gardens that go on and on. Don't miss the splashy Neptune Fountain,
Dragon Fountain with a truly writhing dragon, and the Apollo Fountain, the
god Apollo in his chariot, driving four horses, surrounded by spouting sea
creatures. (April-October, fountain displays with music.) |
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Take the mini-train that circles the park, stopping
at the Petit Trianon, for a complete tour of the extensive grounds, or ride
in a horse-drawn carriage. |
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Rent bikes – Near the Grand Canal, rent bikes, perfect way to get around the extensive gardens or over to the Petit Trianon (leave your bikes outside the Estate). |
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Marie Antoinette's Estate – The Petit Trianon and Hamlet are best in summer, when the gardens are in bloom, and you can imagine parties with lighted lanterns for Marie Antoinette and her friends. Kids can stroll around the first floor of the Petit Trianon at their own pace. |
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At the Hamlet, Marie Antoinette's toy village, check out the water mill, Queen's house, dairy, and ramble around on the paths. In summer, look for cows and sheep grazing, and great to escape the crowds. |
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On our blog read "Marie Antoinette: Vienna and Versailles." |
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Grand Canal – Louis XIV and the nobles boated
on the Grand Canal in row boats, gondolas, or small size ships! In the summer,
you can hire row boats on the Grand Canal and imagine the spectacle
of the Sun King and his entourage. |
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Tip: There are cafes at Versailles, but come prepared with a picnic lunch, if the weather is nice. Both the Chateau and Marie Antoinette's Estate are closed on Mondays, Estate opens at noon. |
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Illustrated biography of Marie Antoinette, from her childhood in Austria, to queen of France at nineteen, life at court (pouf hairstyles and diamonds), relaxing time at the Petit Trianon, then, the French Revolution, attempted escape and the guillontine. (Chapter book)
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Isabelle is a young lacemaker, but she also plays at Versailles with the daughter of Marie Antoinette, princess Therese. The life of luxury in the palace is quite different from Isabelle’s, lavish meals, fine clothes, pony riding and playing in the gardens, but change is coming to France. A super novel of life at Versailles. (Chapter book)
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Fictional diary of 13 year old Marie Antoinette, begins in Vienna
where she is living with her family at the Habsburg court. After
she marries and moves to Versailles, Marie Antoinette launches into
a whirlwind of parties and helps Louis get rid of his acne. (Chapter
book)
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(More children's
books on other France pages) |
