Versailles

Weather prediction - 11 and showers.

Cold and wet seems like a good day for a train ride - especially since our Navigo now cover all areas (1-5). Actually not too cold when we set out, sort of Tassie winter. Metro to Invalides the RER to Versailles Rive Gauche arriving 1040 to cool sunshine - can't believe it's been 32 years. 2/3 of building appears to be freshly cleaned and gilt everyIwhere is gleaming (we discovered that everything is being readied for 350 year anniversary in June).

How wonderful to be here early in the season before the hordes of tourists arrive.

The selfie to prove we were here - the concentration is intense and you can't even see the Chateau.

Pleasantly surprised to discover that entry to the gardens is free and one only pays to visit the apartments (no need to see them again - or the hall of mirrors). Not much colour but it all looks dutifully magnificent (we spent a little time reflecting on the poverty of the people that paid for all this and how not a lot has changed - although our poor are so much better off).

 

Garden pictures taken and a few ideas for new work explored then time to go. Exit via the bookshop, explore a little bit of the unrestored wing (cafe, ticket sales, interactive map), down the cobbles, through the gate, weave our way between the tour buses until we enter La place Hoche (Hero of the revolution ). 

Thinking we might find a small cafe round about we walked up the main road and turned down an old Allee called rue des 2 Portes (Interesting shops including a very tempting old bric a brac one which we steeled ourselves to pass without looking too closely). Near the end we came across the wonderful, traditional Charcuterie Artisanale des 2 Portes and decided that it was definitely time for an alfresco repast (no forest or park so we settled for a roadside seat near the markets) - tarte traditionale, salads peidmontaise and exquisite citron meringue tart to finish off (heaven - and many memories of travelling around France in days of yore). Outside the shop we are accosted by an older lady who wanted to know if we had bought our chapeau locally - we had to disappoint her by telling her we had gotten the in Paris.
Across the road was the wonderful Marché Notre-Dame de Versailles built in 1841 and claimed by some to be the best market around Paris. It is built around an open square with roads entering in the middle of each side with each wing housing different specialities (similar to Prahran market). Because it was market day the roads are closed and the square is filled with market stalls (we didn't really need anything but couldn't resist some lovely Vieux Gouda which we had only seen previously at Le Bon Marche - for a lot more money).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sC5Q8bo_0zg&autoplay=1

Video pans across exterior of market and ends at charcuterie (not mine but you will get the idea)
By 1440 we are back on the train heading home after a most unexpected adventure - not a drop of rain and a really rather pleasant day.