Versailles- Witte

This morning, before heading to Versailles, our students were able to interact with students from St. Vincent.  There was also another exchange student from Australia, who joined us.  She has been staying in Senlis for the past 5 months. The French students presented an outline of the current French government in English for our students and our students provided a quick overview of the American government.  Then we all shared some breakfast snacks before departing for Versailles.  On our way to the bus, we met a friendly dog.  Some of the students are missing their pets. Clee was telling me how her family has a very friendly tabby cat, which she is not too fond of, but of course it is in love with her.  She was very excited to meet the dog this morning.

The last time I was at Versailles was 1996.  It was amazing to me to see how different it is now. Before it was rarely a tourist stop, since it was outside of Paris, but now it seems to be a must see destination.  We had to wait about 45 minutes in a line just to get inside the second gate.

Don't worry I told the students there would be a ride somewhere on the inside and there was.  There is a mini-tram just like in Disney to get out into the gardens.

Unfortunately, the gardens were a separate entrance fee and we just didn't have time to go out to them.  The walk can take up to 40 minutes just to get to and from the Petit Trianon and the Queen's Hamlet.

There are now some very informative video presentations about why and how Versailles was built and how it changed throughout time.  And it seems several gift shops were added throughout the palace.

The rising sophomores and juniors will be able to use this visit to their advantage next year in their History classes and the rising seniors were excited to see something that we discussed in class.  We were able to see the King and Queen's room, the hall of Mirrors, and the chapel.  I would still like to get a backstage tour of Versailles and see the really good stuff, secret passageways, private quarters, etc.  We have seen some of the more restricted areas in videos in class but it would have been neat to spend more time here.

Clee and students attempting to adopt a puppy.

Just a little chapel.

Lots of selfies were happening in the hall of mirrors.

The Coronation of Josephine as Empress by Napoleon I.

The ride at the end of the line. Unfortunately, ran out of time.

A little wedding dress shopping at the gift shop.