In addition to the palace itself, there are two separate smaller buildings known as the Grand and Petit Trianons. The Grand Trianon is built in lovely pink and white marble, while the smaller building is noted for its ornately decorated woodwork. These buildings were used as lodging houses for guests, and by Marie Antoinette as a peaceful retreat from the hectic palace life. In later years, the buildings have been used to house important guests – President Nixon once slept in the Grand Trianon on a state visit to France.
The Palace Gardens and Stables
The latest attraction at Versailles is the newly renovated and recently reopened Royal Stables. The huge stables once were home to 600 of the king’s horses – today they house 20 beautiful Lusitanian horses from Portugal. In addition to the usual guided tour, you can also watch costumed riders demonstrate skillful equestrian choreography, all set to period music.
One of the best things you can do at Versailles is simply to have a picnic lunch in the spacious gardens, which are some of the loveliest in the world. The gardens are so large, you can actually take a train or horse drawn carriage ride around the grounds. There is even a mile long Grand Canal, laid out to catch the rays of the setting sun, where King Louis used to take gondola rides. In 1999 a violent storm lashed the area in and around Paris, destroying 10,000 trees as well as blowing out some windows in the palace. You can do your own part in helping to restore the grounds by sponsoring a tree for about $150.
If you visit Versailles during summer, there are frequent programs of classical music concerts which take place in the palace grounds. But one of the unforgettable spectacles is the event known as “Dreams of the Sun” which occur occasionally. These festive affairs feature not only spectacular fireworks and music, but also 200 actors dressed in period costume. It is an experience not to be missed. And as a fitting finale to your visit, try to stay until the grounds close around dusk when the palace is beautifully floodlit.