Riding a Bike!

One shouldn't get that excited about riding a bike... I mean it's a bike... Not anything special. But it is! It definitely is something special when you ride it through the gardens of Versailles!!! That has basically been my dream of being that classy lady with the cool sunglasses and chic coat with the red lipstick just riding around the gardens looking down on all the tourists. I accomplished part of that... Maybe not with the same outfit or condescension, but I did have my red lipstick on!

Versailles is beautiful. And ridiculously crowded. I decided to hit up the gardens first since most people wait to see the chateau for hours at a time. I happened to make it just as the musical fountains started playing. It has quickly become my favorite place in the world. It's peaceful and calm and just breathtaking when you see the fountains going to classical music! The grounds of Versailles are technically free, but if you want to see the fountains, or if you are just that lost tourist approaching from the chateau, it's easier to just suck it up and pay to see the pretty fountains. The bikes unfortunately are only allowed on the public part, and not with the classical music blasting from the bushes, but it's still fun! I rented an adorable bike with a basket and set off! You can ride for miles! DREAM ACCOMPLISHED!!!!! Next time, I'm definitely dressing up in a classy coat with my cat-eye sunglasses!

I'll admit it, I got lost. I ended up doing laps around the Grand and Petit Trianon's, which Marie Antoinette helped decorate. When she was little, she wanted to see how the peasants lived, so in typical French excess she built her own peasant village to play in. I mean the easier thing would have been to just go visit a village, but no. She created her own... It's like the original version of Disneyland. And it still has crops and livestock on it! Absolutely crazy... But then who's to say Marie Antoinette wasn't a bit kooky...

Of course, I made it to the chateau!!! I managed to get in without waiting in a line at all! The chateau is beautiful and extremely luxurious. The bed chambers have enough seats in them for a small audience, which to me is a big no thank you. And the hall of mirrors is amazing!!! Maybe a bit overrated, but considering how much I just enjoyed riding a bike around the grounds maybe makes sense.... It's probably just me....

Love, Alison