Train Ride Through Montmartre Streets and other Paris, France Off The Beaten Path Tips

We like walking through streets as you can stop and linger at various spots which grab your attention. We saw this train going through the streets and thought what a good idea for those who do not have time to walk the streets or others no longer up to long walks.

For families with kids it is a great reward for being good. We did not take the ride but it was very populsr.

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We visited the Palace and gardens on a Saturday, allocating most of the day to this magnificent palace and gardens. There is no need to take a coach tour, save the expense and catch the metro to Versailles-Rive Gauche, approximately 40 minutes, and then purchase your entry ticket and guided tour of the palace from one of the ticket sellers near the station, you will see their notices.

Pre purchase of our tickets gave us immediate entry and saved at least a half hour or more in the line. Our guide arrived at 12:20 and took us through the palace, her commentary and English were excellent.

The guided tour of the palace was limited to specific rooms, however we were able to see many rooms including the King and Queen's separate bedrooms, the Hall of Mirrors, Chapelle Royale, Salon de Venus etc. What we saw during the 90 minutes was sheer opulence. The palace was the indulgence of Louis X1V who commenced construction in 1664 and a century later Marie Antoinette was responsible for establishing the magnificent gardens with the elaborate fountains, the canal and landscaped parklands.

The fountains do not operate all day and are turned on several times during the day, we were there for the 3:30pm performance which was a sight to remember. I thought the gardens were just as good as the palace and make certain you are there to see the fountains operate.

Cost of the guided Palace tour was Euro 25, this included entry to the gardens.

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Website: http://www.chateauversailles.fr/

The gardens are really parklands which have been divided into sections and then developed into speciality gardens and groves. You will find most things have been done on a grand scale with the fountains giving a magnificent display and although they do not flow for the whole day they are turned on at specific times. We were there at 3:30pm to see them in their grandure and what a sight they were with crowds of people attempting to get the perfect photo.

Marie- Antoinette was responsible for developing the gardens to what we see today. From the Palace to the top of the Grand Canal is 1 km which should give you an idea of the size of these gardens. We walked through the gardens and had lunch down by the Grand Canal where there are several good restaurants and snack food cafes where you can obtain drinks and light meals to enjoy on the lawns.

It is a delightful setting which in itself is a worthy attraction and certainly compliments the Palace.

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Website: http://www.chateauversailles.fr/