Day 8 - France (13 July 2019)

This morning was really calm.  We loaded up the bus (no one slept in either) and we set off for Paris. I was pretty excited to go back for a bit. We dropped off our luggage at the hotel, and then went straight to Versailles!



We had to divide into two groups for the visit, and my group was on the second one. So we joined up with Max’s group (from Mississippi) and we walked down to the marché and shops!  

It was fun to see the students experience a little bit of how the locals live too. 





















After we picked up lunch, we walked back to the palace to eat lunch in the gardens. So. Cool. 









When we first walked in, I asked my group to take a picture together before everyone went off to eat and explore the grounds. 





I wasn’t really sure where the tables were to eat lunch, but we sat down on a bench on the main level. It was such a pleasant lunch!

















After our lunch, we were trying to decide what to do, as it was also Ann’s 50th birthday!  We saw a golf cart drive past us, and I asked where we could rent them, and we waited in line for about 20 minutes before we got our very own party wagon!



















When you drove on the designated route, it wasn’t a problem. However, if you went outside the parameters, it would beep and you’d have to reverse. We almost were dumped into the pond because of it, but Ann and Shannel were true champs and got out and pushed us back to the correct area. 





















After hustling back to pay (34€ per hour) and collecting my driver’s license, we made it back to the meeting point for the guided tour through the palace!  I was a little motion sick from driving and taking pictures at the same time, but we had a delightful time!

















I learned all about how fleas would jump from the wig and fall on the chest of the woman...and with that I no long want to dream about being a royal. 



However, the palace was so interesting to get a glimpse into multiple monarchs’ lives at the same time in the palace. The opulence was astounding!





















We all gathered together, and went to dinner. The food wasn’t great, but the company was fun. 

















Next on the agenda was to go to the Montparnasse Tower. What a beautiful view!  And the weather cooperated with us too. 




















Our final stop for the evening led us to a river cruise on the Seine. This city really does have that...je ne sais quoi. 

















These are the faces of two photo bombers who were caught, and the girl was bugged at me instead of them. 



We made it back to the bus and finished up at the hotel for a wonderfully full day and a late night. 





France, you really came through for me and my group this trip. You sparked and shined in all the right places and at all the right times. Thanks for allowing us to create new memories that will age like a fine wine over the years. Vive la France! 🇫🇷 💕



Comments

  1. UnknownJune 20, 2019 at 12:40 AM

    The best thing about Versailles is the Marche in town. There's a little hotel in the corner of the market that I've used several times. One of my best visits to the palace was when we took Troy's family on a bike tour around the grounds and had a picnic on the far side, looking back at the palace. Heidi, you have done that too, on our Moms & Daughters trip.
    Kim, I'm so glad you felt like France came through for you on this trip!

    ReplyDelete

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