The chateau du Versailles was on the agenda for today and figured I do it on a guided tour and I'm really glad I did. The gardens are absolutely massive.

After taking the train with the group and discussing the NBA scores with a couple of Canadians (seriously the Canadians are everywhere) the walk up to the chateau itself is amazing, Louis IVX knew how to show off. Then we walked around the back into the main garden, which you can't really see to start with, there's a few small fountains and a view over looking Louis IVX's personal orange grove. Then the tour guide got us to walk sideways with our backs to the main garden and then when in prime position got us to turn around.

The view is something that has to be seen to be believed and even then I still don't believe what I saw. Two 10 metre high hedges lining a path leading down to a canal a good 1km long in the shape of a cross.

The rest of the garden was just as awe inspiring including a fountain to Neptune that cost more to build than France spent on the defence of Canada. It is a very nice fountain though.

Since the tour Guide had a masters in French history he really knew what he was talking about and went into great detail about the French revolution and the stupidity of the chateau's location and the water system. Which was something overlooked when first building the castle and something that only got fully working in the 1940's.

So after spending 4 hours outside I really couldn't be bothered doing the trip inside as well, which would've only been for the hall of mirrors. So jumped on a train back to the city and grabbed a few beers with the tour guide, one of the Canadians on the tour and a melbournian living in Manchester.

Figured it was probably time for some food about now I met up with an Aussie from the hostel and went trawling through the Parisian backstreets for a cheap ad cheerful. Found one in the form of this beautiful little Indian restaurant 10 euros for food and 2.50 for wine.

Anyway it's 1 am right now and I'm getting alcohol tired so time for sleep

A la prochaine

E