Today we spent the day is Versailles.  It was really cool to be able to compare other once royal palaces such as the Louvre to Versailles.  The mere size of Versailles, let alone the beautiful decoration and architecture, made the other palaces look like the homes of commoners.  After walking through the castle were were able to stroll through the gardens and briefly experience what life was like as  18th century royalty.

Versailles castle from the front entrance.  I love the French flag in this picture.

A view of the gardens from inside the castle.

Statue at the main entrance.

Beautiful pink marble at the Grand Trianon.

The Hamlet, where Marie Antoinette escaped the pressure and responsibility of being a queen and enjoyed a royal and lavish version of farm life.

We found a swam and a swarm of fish!

We were fortunate enough to get to spent July 14, Bastille Day, in France!

Originally we had thought we were going to miss the fireworks by the Eiffel Tower because the metro stations would close and we had no way back to the Cité Universitaire.  Being disappointed that we would miss the fireworks, we took matters into our own hands and sought out a local spot with high elevation.

We climbed to the top floor of the United States house and found that we were able to see part of the Eiffel Tower.  Excited, we gathered around to watch the show, then the director of the US House showed up.  At first we were afraid she was going to ask up to leave and we would be unable to see the fireworks.  To our surprise, she unlocked the door to the roof and suggested we go outside for an even better view.

From the roof we were able to watch five separate firework shows across Paris.  The experience was truly amazing and the view was breath taking.  The pictures below don’t do it justice.

La Fête Nationale!