Let Them Eat French Fries. . .

I went to Versailles today to the palace of several Louis' and eventually, Marie Antoinette's. I arrived there tired (because Sina kept me up all night making up a crazy email survery) and with a headache. It was lunchtime so I looked around to see what was available and saw several delightful cafes with outdoor seating that should have caught my attention immediately. However, I then noticed the ever familiar golden arches and found myself drawn to them. I think that as an American, my media and life exposures have caused McDonald's to become some kind of comfort food. How scary is that? After a lunch that should never be eaten anywhere French cuisine is available, a diet Coke, and 2 Advil, I found myself feeling MUCH better and continued on to the chateau.

Versailles is a tribute to the extreme extravagance of the French royalty . . . just before they were overthrown and beheaded by the masses. The chateau is amazing. Every room is decorated with beautiful paintings and elegant furnishings.




The gardens cover 8 miles of area and include lakes, fountains, groves, orchards, vineyards, and examples of their efforts to bring the delights of the world to their own little corner.



Because they had no ancient ruins on the estate, they built the Colonnade.


Because they had no canals of Venice, they built "Petit Venice" and hired gondoliers to man the boats while Ole Sole Mio was sung in the background.


Continuing on down the road, I arrived at Marie Antoinette's hamlet, which she had built because she wanted to experience the simple life of a peasant (without all the ugliness of starvation and hard work, of course). The hamlet was my favorite part. . . each new part was more charming than the last.