Versailles

Warning! This is a picspammy post, I'm afraid! These are my photos of my day in Versailles (photos of Paris and Disneyland are still to come).

What's one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of going to France? I don't know about you, but for me 'patisserie' is right up there! I was actually good and didn't get any of these gorgeous confections, though I did allow myself (again and again) the luxury of...

Pain au chocolat! I love these pretty much all the time, but it has to be said that you just cannot get a pain au chocolat this good anywhere outside of France. I've read that it's the French butter. Whatever it is, I'm kind of grateful. If I could get one of these this good every morning I'd be the size of a whale, and I'd probably think it was a good trade off. We had traditional pot au chocolat with it, it was essentially melted chocolate (does it remind anyone else of the river of chocolate in Willy Wonka?!).

There was an amazing food market on the way to du Chateau de Versailles, which I couldn't stop snapping pictures of. If I hadn't known I was going to be out for ages, I'd have been all over the cheeses. And are those not the barmiest mushroom you've ever seen?

Chateau de Versailles! I guarantee you, you've never seen such a gilt building as this.

This kid was adorable (and totally hogging my limelight with his adorableness).

This is the Hall of Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles (which ended the First World War) was signed. Can you imagine the balls that must have taken place here?

Marie Antoinette's bedroom! To say this was plush would be a pretty serious understatement. Felt a real pang of (odd) jealousy - so, so gorgeous.

The grounds of Versailles. They were really incredible, even in the downcast weather. You can't really see it here, but behind me is the Grand Canal which we decided not to go see since it's something like a 7km walk around the whole thing - that gives you some idea of the scale of all of this.

The 'back' of the Chateau. I have to say I was completely dumbstruck by the whole experience - I really recommend anyone going to Paris to take half a day to come and look at the Palace of the Sun-King. Wear flat shoes, you'll walk for miles. I have to say, it's easy to see why the working class French were horrified - the expense that went into this is just unbelievable. But, I can't help but wish that I could zap back in time for a day, so I could see Versailles in all its glory.