Undoubtedly the top destination for a day trip out of town is the spectacular Palace of Versailles – “Chateau de Versailles” (www.chateauversailles.fr) with its rich interior and vast gardens – the glory of the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV. It’s reachable by train or bus from the centre of Paris.
About Chateau de Versailles:
Started in 1623 as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII, the château of brick, stone, and slate soon became a small castle enlarged by architect Philibert Le Roy. In 1661, young King Louis XIV, the Sun King, had his architects, Louis Le Vau and Jules Hardouin Mansart, enlarge the château into a stately palace.
In 1682, the Château de Versailles
Today, Chateau de Versailles is the largest and best-known castle in the world, depicting the history of France through its paintings and sculptures.
The park grounds are equally as spectacular as the chateau itself, with fountains, waterfalls, statues, formal gardens and a Grand Canal. It is no wonder the masterpiece of the Chateau de Versailles attracts more than 8 million visitors a year.
The Chateau Fontainebleau (www.en.chateaudefontain...) was the country house of French kings for more than eight centuries. It’s reachable in about 45 minutes by train from Paris to Lyon and then a short bus ride. The French rail company, SNCF, offers a fixed price train/bus/castle ticket. From Paris, it’s also possible to take a day-trip to Giverny, the famous garden of the Master of Impressionist painting, Monet. Details at www.giverny.org.
