Living in the west of Paris means the most beautiful chateau in the world is only 15 minutes from my doorstop. I didn’t include it on my list of great day trips from Paris because it’s really just a suburb of Paris. You can easily visit Versailles for lunch or afternoon tea or just to wander around the stunning chateau gardens (for free!). Of course if you want to visit inside the chateau and see where Louis XIV and his successors slept then you would probably want to allow for a full day to visit and push your way through the crowds.

Crowds are not my thing so on my most recent trip I stuck to exploring the town and relaxing in the palace gardens. I also got to test out my new 135mm camera lens which I’m very, very happy with.

The royals obviously weren’t shy about using gold. It’s everywhere!

Chateau de Versailles

Looking down towards the main boulevard past the weird modern art sculpture.

Modern Art at Versailles

I think I prefer the original decorative features like this water spout.

Versailles Old School

More gold.

100% Gold

The formal garden as seen through my 135mm lens. I will have to remember to take a wider lens next time.

Versailles Garden

Flowers and tourists:

Flowers and Tourists

More modern art can be found throughout the gardens.

Still Versailles

The chapel missed out on the gold touch.

Versailles Chapel

This trip to Versailles was also the first time I got to take my new baby out for a spin. She loved Versailles!

Fiat 500 Soul Blue