Today we hoped on a train to visit Louis XIV's Summer Palace - Château de Versailles. After hunting trips to Versailles , Louis XIII ordered construction of a hunting lodge in 1624. This hunting lodge was expanded to one of the largest palaces in the world during Louis XIV reign and court was moved to Versailles in 1682.

There were four large building campaigns between 1664 and 1710, each coinciding with funding from victory in War. This continued under the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI who also undertook major works between 1722 and 1788. Much of Louis XVI contribution was not for new works, but for clean up of much of the unfinished projects commenced under his fathers reign. In fact the completion of renovations undertaken to the entrance by Louis XV was only finally completed in the1980's (yes, 20th Century!).

During the French Revolution the Royal Family were forced to move back to Paris, and in 1794 the Convention decreed that the château and gardens of Versailles would be placed under the care of the Republic for the public good. The château became a repository for art work seized from churches and princely homes.

It was not until the advent of Napoléon that the status of Versailles changed. In accordance to provisions of the 1804 Constitution, Versailles was designated as an imperial palace for the department of the Seine-et-Oise. While Napoléon did not reside in the château, apartments were, however, arranged and decorated for the use of the empress Marie-Louise. In 1833, Louis-Philippe proposed the establishment of a museum dedicated to “all the glories of France".

Many have tried to estimate how much money was spent on Versailles, with amounts as large as 2 billion dollars noted. Thete are no words to adequately describe the opulence of Versailles. From the grandure and wonder of the palace architecture to the delicateness and intricacy of the interior design, this palace is nothing short of 'Fit for King'.

On our way back to Paris we stopped at Notre Dame Cathedral. This year marks the celebration of 850 years since ground breaking in 1163. Construction was completed in 1345...182 years to complete!

In the heart of old Paris, Notre Dame lies on the banks of the River Seine and served to be the focal point of Paris in Medieval times. Notre Dame means Our Lady and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who is celebrated architecturally throughout the building as well as in the central rose window: an amazing stained glass showcasing a statue of the Virgin and Child. There are two other beautiful round windows each as spectacular as the other, dating back to the mid–13th century.

Notre Dame is a brilliant example of French Gothic style with a cross-vaulted ceiling. Its floor plan resembles a huge cross with the altar at the intersection. The outer internal edges are filled with small chapels devoted to various saints. This example of Gothic architecture is incredible and my understanding is that it was the first use of flying buttresses in the era, which have now become synonymous with the gothic architectural style. Highlights for me is the humour in the grotesque gargoyles, hobgoblins and devils that playfully taunt the external pinnacles and vaults of the building, and the stone carved vignettes in the external walls that detail Religious stories to educate the illiterate congregations of the time.

On our way back to the hotel, we happened upon my first Crepe vendor...and when in Paris! My banana and Nutella crepe was ready in a minute and was a little piece of foodie heaven wrapped up into a triangle to be eaten with one hand. Yum!

We at at Oscars restaurant in the evening, where Rossco started to really let loose on the french (not the swearing) to the amusement of the wait staff who started to play with him and not give him anything unless he asked in French!

We finished our evening with a few glasses of Bordeaux at a street cafe enjoying the warm evening.

Hard Day... someone has to do it!