We were on the bus again by 8.00am, after the usual breakfast fare on offer, heading out of Paris to the Palace of Versailles. Traffic was fairly congested on the way out of Paris, necessitating seeking alternate routes.
The benefit of a tour group getting into the Palace was very obvious, as we walked virtually straight in, whilst the non tour group queue snaked for many 100 of metres.
The Palace of the 3 french Kings – Louis XIV – Louis XVI is totally spectacular with its layout, fitout and finishing. It is way over the top and no wonder the French revolted against King Louis XVI. We spend about 1.5 hours there receiving a detailed tour by our guide Odel, and a tour of the upper gardens.
We are back in Paris circa 12.15pm and then off to the Eiffel Tower, where the tour group has a booking. We catch the lift car [ takes 30 –40] to the second floor, packed in like sardines. The views are spectacular from all 4 sides at about 300 feet above ground level.
We are required to be back for the bus at 1.50pm, so we are in the queue for the down-ward lift car. we spend well in excess of 40 minutes in the queue before we get in a lift car, arriving back at the bus just before 2.00pm.
No time for lunch, as it is off for a group photo and then a tour ride around some new areas of Paris, getting back to the Hotel around 3.45pm for a freshen up for a 4.30pm pick-up for a boat ride up the Seine River. The boat ride was enjoyable giving a view of the riverside buildings, except for all of the Japanese/Chinese standing up in front of those seated on the upper deck, especially when the Eiffel Tower was in the background.
After the boat trip we all were taken to a restaurant for our farewell dinner, after which we went back to the hotel where farewells were made to fellow travellers, especially those catching early flights next morning. We have picked a few invitations to visit and stay in the US.
A group, including ourselves, set up a few tables on the foyer outside the bar for a few further drinks….It has taken a week for the first French red…a Bordeaux to be tasted. We head for our room around 11.00pm
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