Daytrips to Chartres and Versailles

CHARTRES

Traveling to see great sites and to have a wonderful meal can apply to more than Paris. I was invited to join a friend to see the illumination event produced for Chartres Cathedral and other historic locations in the city of Chartres. We went for the evening to see the “light show,” but it is a small, very lovely town that requires a longer visit.

The illuminations and sounds were quite remarkable. More than just colored lights, patterns and other images, some with text, were projected onto the buildings. My image cannot do justice to event. Take a look at the web site for a more colorful idea of the project intended as a “new way of looking at the city.” - http://www.chartresenlumieres.com/uk/accueil.html

This image was captured as we toured the other locations: Le Théâtre, accompanied by excerpts from Italian operas.

Before taking the little train around to the different sites, we had dinner at a well-appointed restaurant situated in an older building (La Vielle Maison). I was told that my selection of confit de canard (duck) was a typical French meal and that I should also try another typical meal, quail (caille) prepared with a light sauce. I enjoyed my meal immensely having started with tête de veau , mild in taste with only a slight undulation in texture. A traditional dish favored by some remarkable men, including Charles de Gaulle. The wine selected by the young couple who joined us for the evening was excellent. Its body and fruity notes were a perfect match for the meals that we ordered.

Following the chilly train ride, and before returning to Paris, we warmed our hands and spirits at an unusual salon de the, The Serpente. Unusual in the sense that its windows were filled with a large collection of tea pots which originated worldwide and which bloomed in an array of colors and designs.

VERSAILLES

Arriving back home late was not a great boon to getting out early the next day to go Versailles. I managed to arrive by late afternoon and took a quick tour of the chateau before its closing (I have visited it before).

The balance of the evening, I spent walking through the extensive gardens. Again, a location which deserves more time than most people allow. Below are just a few images that do not do justice to what should be experienced in person. Come to Paris!

I hope to return, if time permits, to see more of the gardens, especially near closing when most of crowds have gone.

No specific schedule yet for the next few days. Tuesday (Mardi), is a closing day for most museums, so I will have to do something else. I will check my list. Is anyone following the developments of the Tour de France?

ADVISORY

For anyone coming to Paris before 22 August, please be aware that there is track work being done on RER C between Invalides and Gare Austerlitz. Unless you are unaware, it does not complicate getting to Versailles, but is still doable by using metro line #10 for connecting to the RER C at Javel. Also, buying a Versailles Passeport through FNAC, or SNCF, will save you a few euro. Do not know these acronyms? FNAC is a large ticket seller and source for other merchandise: www.fnacspectacles.com/ (French only, but not too difficult to follow). SNCF is the national rail service: www.sncf.com/en_EN/flash/