France - Paris 2

Hi, On the afternoon of the second day we took an optional tour to Versailles.  It was interesting to compare this palace to the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia.  I thought the Hermitage was more ornate with more things inside.  It clearly is much larger.

The entrance to the Palace courtyard is surrounded by a gate covered in gold.

Behind the palace are gardens with many pools (above and below).

As with most palaces of this era decoration is extensive right up to and including the ceiling (above and 2 photos below).

Chandeliers were used to provide general lighting.

The most famous room in the palace is the hall of mirrors (above and below) with one long wall of windows facing a long wall covered with mirrors.  The mirrors were used to provided more daylight and to make the room seem wider.

At the end of our tour there was an opportunity to photograph the courtyard with very few people.

Thanks for looking.