Versailles - the house

The building was a huge expansion of what was once a royal hunting lodge, so that Louis XIV could show his power, absolute, received directly from God. It housed uppity aristocrats where the king could keep them under close watch.  He was a patron of the arts - painting, theatre and music.  It employed thousands in its building and running.  It is now one of the jewels in the crown of the French Republic.

I'm not a big fan of treks round stately homes, but it has to be done - and shouldn't be missed.

the golden gates stay shut

we are shunted in round the sides

our queuing lines can breathe again

we expand to a loose rabble

cross the courtyard

funneled

past the audio guide counter

“Follow the arrows, 

this way please,

no straying,

this is the direction of the visit"

We drift through endless glorious rooms

of paintings, carpets, luscious chairs and beds

sublime ceilings

splendid, awe-inspiring, powerful,

dazzling with wealth and colours,

light and comfort

beyond the merely human

I have no audio

to halt me and point out what I should see

then the highpoint

Galerie des Glaces, Hall of Mirrors

reflecting daylight, or the glow of chandeliers

back and forth the silver softened light

grey skies outside and lights within