The famous Versailles architect Jules Mansart built Le Grand Trianon in the late 1860s as an escape of sorts from the formality of the grand palace. French pink marble, sweet gardens, and geometric courtyards blend in wonderful, cozy proportions against the heavily Italian-influenced architecture that defines this group of buildings. Of course by “cozy” I mean palatial… and yet still …
Versailles, Part 2
So where were we before that fashion interruption? I believe we were just about to enter the Queen’s Grand Apartment, which was once occupied by three queens: Marie-Thérèse, Marie LeszczyÅ„ska, and Marie-Antoinette. A few dauphines also made this place their residence long before the palace was finally invaded on October 6, 1789 by rioters who had apparently had enough of…not …
Versailles, Part One
The last time I visited Versailles was at least a good decade and a half ago, in the dead of winter, and I swore I would find a nicer day to return for a better look once my toes and fingers thawed out. So seven weeks ago I picked a Sunday and hoped that the calendar at the Versailles website …