June 15, 1968
June 15, 1968
Are up early for our morning trip to Versailles. Nice rolls for breakfast and tea for me. Leave about 9:15 and have a lovely friendly girl for guide plus a man who talks about Spanish and German speaking people.
Versailles is approximately 15 miles from Paris and has about 100,000 people. The palace is huge, and to me, better constructed than Fontainbleau. We see the courtyard where Marie Antoinette and Louis the XVI told the angry people they would get bread. The chambers of Francis the I and Ann of Anstrip, Mary the Spanish princess Louis XIII Louis XIV, Louis XVI Napoleon I Napoleon III. The paintings by Katherine Alexandrin official painter for one of the Louis? David's other smaller painting. Napoleons symbols - the golden bees- The sun kings and the Fleur de Lis of Francis I . Marie Antoinette escapes the room where the swiss guards were killed by the people who rushed up the marble hallway. The war room - the hall of mirrors - the peace room. Many more gorgeous rooms- Diane Porter Mistress of Henry? The Diane of the hunt statue in the pool or the lake - the symmetrical formal gardens we walk through - The part that was first there - a hunting lodge - the table where the Versailles Treaty was signed - many more things. This is splendor at it's most and only Schonbrum of Austria compares with it.
Back along Siene see medieval spires of castle on Isle of France - my favorite- see statue of George Washington - in some gardens (Luxembourg ). Statue of Liberty given to France by U.S. See the actual model near bridge where medieval castle spires. and Isle de France is. Can't remember what isle.
Afterwards we try to find a Wimpy for David as he is dying for a hamburger. Find it- it's packed - finally get hamburger french fries and a coke - go to the other cafe for a sweet and coffee. and go back to Travel Tours to catch our Historical Paris tour.
Two busses; some of the crazy groups from Amsterdam we spot, and with luck we manage to get on other bus.
We have a spot at Louvre. Same guide as Versailles. She is marvelous. The little time we have there for explanations are great. Very good tour and much info. Stop at Notre Dame. One century completed. Early Gothic. See where crowned. Balcony holds 1000 people. Excavation in front still coming along. Find stones of the first two old churches that stood there. Get history of islands. used to be 14 now two are connected. See St Louis bridge take pictures of flying butress side. beautiful. All along of course we see indications of the Gauls order to clean the buildings of Paris. Are dropped off at Place de la Concorde - Take Metro after directions from nice friendly woman.
Go up to Monmarte district - walk around where artists paint. I get some prints.
Sacre Coeur is more impressive than ever!! By sheer luck we found the same Bistro that Peg I Greg and Ray found last year! La Marsen Rose. Takes kids and everything's delicious. Brings back fond memories. See same man - son of owner who we talk to.
Back to Scre Coeur which is showing night lighting now. See all of Paris lighting up from hill. Oh so beautiful. Have coffee at sidewalk cafe and walk back to hotel which was bettre than taking Metro, only 20min walk. Dave was real funny in restaurant. After two bottles of wine we had. This probably had something to do with it. What a good time. I think the kids are beginning to realize more now. - Off to bed.