Versailles is a picturesque town about 10.5 miles – 30 minutes by car -outside of Paris. Best known for the palace, made famous by the Sun King Louis XIV and later cemented into world history books by the the ill-fated Queen Marie Antoinette, this city is a wonderful representation of French provincial life.
Petit Trianon – Domaine du Marie Antoinette – Versailles, France
View of Versailles from our Suite at The Trianon Palace
My husband and I recently spent our honeymoon there this past November after our fairytale wedding in Canada.
After the high velocity at which we were running in the lead-up to our wedding day, we both were looking forward to some much-needed “r and r.”
Paris, my friends, while beautiful, is not relaxing. It simply is not the ideal place to decompress. It is noisy, crowded, horrible traffic and filled with people who don’t smile. Gee, that sounds a touch like our very own NYC (no offense NYers, you’re going places and the rest of us get it).
On the flip side of the metropolitan coin are wonderful places like Versailles. You are able to walk the city streets without getting pushed around or stroll through the palace gardens any day of the week. And sheep – they have such beautiful flocks of sheep on the Trianon Estate (playground of Marie-Antoinette). Observing “les moutons” is so calming. I really fell in love with them. In fact, I felt so tranquil watching them that I bought a plush lamb from our hotel (so I guess I am not alone)!
I miss these guys! Seriously. Sheep are cool.
If you make it to France, try to spend more than a few hours in Versailles.
Experience Versailles as a destination.
Let them eat… FOOD! LOTS of French Food!!!
For you foodies, we highly recommend Restaurant La Tour, an award-winning gastro spot renowned for its specialty cuts of meat. This place is definitely a local favourite. We felt like locals – the wait staff didn’t speak English so we had to speak French (so great!); and the patrons were kind and welcoming.
Another I town great eatery is Restaurant Nuance. This is another delicious local fave. It is one your olfactory memory will register and retain forever! Mine surely did. Just looking up the web page to post the link in this blog write up made my mouth water upon seeing the photos of their dishes!
I will be doing a separate post later this weekend on our culinary experiences while in France.
Until next time, xx!
The Vibrant Duchess