Let Zem Eat Cake!

marie antoinette's hameau at versaille
photo by my husband, romanced by me [ The photo.  Not my husband. Although that has been known to happen,too.]

When last I left you, chers lecteurs, we were headed for Versaille. I taught about Versaille in my Art History class for years from this BOOK, which I bought for the class in 1991. 
[ It really is the best book, and I think I'll buy it for myself.]  But seeing this palace in a book, and seeing it in real life, are very different things. It's mind-blowing, isn't it? We went for the first time in 1998, and we've been there several times since.  This time we didn't feel like going into the rooms, so we parted company with Marie and Christine, and headed for the"backyard".





Even in late autumn, in the rain, with no flowers in the beds, the gardens and grounds are breathtaking.

The original gardens were designed by Andre Le Notre


Now, I am always the navigator, because I always know where I'm going.  Except when I get lost.  And lost, I got.  I took a wrong turn, Zigged when I should have zagged, and we ended up in a place where



NO Man Has Ever Gone

or so it would appear, because as we followed this path

through this hedge, and into what is known as

The King's Garden


The most peaceful park, with color to rival Vermont, and huge, majestic trees,

...there wasn't a tourist to be seen.  Just a private place of touching beauty.  Do yourself a favor, and get lost over on the left side of the back yard and wander into this private garden.  I'll bet it's equally marvelous in the Spring.


After this we strolled back to the Petite Trianon and my favorite of all places on earth, the Hameau of Marie Antoinette. I won't write about the hameau here, as it opens a Pandora's Box of feelings about the rich, decadence and artificiality, and but do click on the link if you have an interest.

choux et poireaux

marlborough tower
m a r l b o r o u g h  t o w e rm a r l b o r o u g h  t o w e r
As for me, I'm just entranced with the fairytale feeling that this spot evokes.It's a photographer's dream.
And as for my title above, did Marie really say  "let them eat cake"?  Popular wisdom today says no, but who can say for sure?  Here's one take on the subject. Personally, I think I prefer this take on Marie and Her Cake from the oh-so-talented Wendy.
I have more pix of the hameau to work on, and tomorrow we'll go to Chartres.
Thank you so much for all your sweet comments on my last post!  We all love France, don't we!!!! 

A bientôt,mes douces!

dawne