Rise & Shine Tastebuds!: France Part 2 - Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, Martel, Château de Beynac, Sarlat, Rocamadour

When Andrew and I decided to go to France, we thought about visiting many cities within France, or even traveling to neighboring countries. My initial thought was that we had spent a lot of time flying, so we might as well take advantage of it. However, after talking to many of our well traveled friends, we ultimately decided to stay in Paris, and make a short weekend trip to the southwest region of France. This way, we would be able to really immerse ourselves in the Parisian life and visit our friends in the beautiful countryside.

It was 300 miles from Paris to Brive-la-Gaillarde. It took 4 1/2 hours by train.

Being in the countryside was a very nice change of pace. The locals were friendly, and welcomed us with open arms into their community. We enjoyed delicious home cooked meals with fresh ingredients grown directly from home gardens. We explored the rolling green hills, and learned more about the buildings, churches, and castles that were built centuries ago. It was refreshing being transported back to a time when life was simpler.

Thank you Ray, Catherine, and Jean-Paul for your warm hospitality. We had such a wonderful weekend, and we can't wait to visit you again and see your new bed and breakfast.

Enjoy our France Adventure Part 2. It includes our trip to Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, and our weekend trip to Southwest France.

Château de Versailles

Onward to Versailles.

In 1624, the original château was built for Louis XIII. His son, Louis XIV expanded it by attaching the North and South wings. The total cost was estimated to be half of France's entire GNP for one year.

The Royal Courtyard was nearly 260 ft. long and decorated with 100,000 gold leaves. The gate and Andrew's purple shirt reminded me of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

King Louis XIV made Versailles the residence of the royal court and seat of France's government in 1682. Throughout Europe, it became the image of absolute monarchy and an all powerful state.

Hercules Drawing Room.

The ceiling painting shows Hercules entering heaven on his chariot to wed the Zeus' daughter.

The Venus Room.

The Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors) measures 73 m long, 10.5 m wide, and 12.3 m high. In 1919, Germany and the Allies signed the Treaty of Versailles here.

At the height of the French Monarchy, mirrors were considered a luxury. This hall has a total of 17 arched mirrors, 17 windows, and 24 gilded candelabras!

The paintings in the Kings Chamber illustrate events in the life of Louis XIV.

The Queens Apartment was occupied by each queen in succession, the last being Marie-Antoinette. There was a secret door on the left side of the bed that led straight to Louis' XIV bedroom.

The Coronation Room captures the glory of the Napoleon years. Jacques-Louis David painted two copies of The Coronation of Napoleon, and the better quality version is located in the Louvre.

The Gardens

The Gardens were explosions of color.

The Orangerie is home to 400 year old orange trees. King Louis XIV impressed visitors by his ability to grow 1,000 of these tropical trees in chilly northern France.

It was a 40 minute walk from the palace to our next stop, the Palaces of Trianon and Marie-Antoinette's Estate. Too bad we couldn't take the golf cart!

Palaces of Trianon

Grand Trianon

Louis XIV built the Grand Trianon as a home for his chief mistress, Françoise Athénaïs de Rochechouart de Mortemart.

The flower gardens were changed daily, allowing new color combinations and scents for the Sun King.

Marie-Antoinette's Estate

Petit Trianon

This small château was built by Louis XV at the urging of his mistress, Madame de Pompadour. These Kings just couldn't say no to their mistresses.

The Grand Staircase.

Medusa's head.

In the antechamber, the panels over the doorway was inspired by Ovid's poem Metamorphoses.

The Temple of Love

The Temple of Love is a dome supported by a circle of 12 marble Corinthian columns. In the center stands Cupid shooting out arrows of love.

The Hamlet

Marie-Antoinette wanted to enjoy the simple life of a peasant, without the actual hard labor, so she built a complex of 12 cottages with a waterfront lake as her own fairytale version.

Surprisingly, this was an actual functioning farm with a dairy, water mill, and domestic animals. Naturally, Marie-Antoinette entrusted the work to her servants.

Artichoke head.

Many animals inhabited the farm such as swans.

And big fat muskrats!

At the end of the day, the crowds had disappeared, and we had Versailles all to ourselves.

Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile

The Arc de Triomphe was commissioned by Napoleon I in 1806, just after the Battle of Austerlitz.

Because of heavy traffic on the roundabout, we had to use the Champs Élysées underpass to get to the center of the Arc.

The inner and outer surfaces are inscribed with the names of all French battles and generals during the Revolution and Napoleonic Wars.

The Unknown Solder honors French soldiers who gave their lives during World War I. The flame was lit on November 11, 1923 by André Maginot, the war minister, and has never gone out since.

The attic room displayed architectural and sculpted models.

To reach the terrace we had to climb up 284 steps.

Whew, we made it.

The name l'Étoile (the Star) is formed by twelve avenues that radiate out from it.

We made it just on the hour, and were able to enjoy the Eiffel Tower's 20,000 sparkling light show.

Southwest France

We're on our way!

The SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer), is France’s official railway operator. The railway network consists of about 20,000 miles of route, and operates 14,000 trains daily.

Economy class all the way.

Waking up early and train car fever make Vy and Andrew go crazy.

Guavans reunited!

The beautiful Dordogne.

Martel
Lot department

Martel is one of the rare towns that does not owe its existence to either a castrum or religious foundation. The town was developed during the 12th century as a centre of commerce.

According to tradition, the Fabri house stands on the site where King Henry died in 1183 after pillaging Rocamadour.

Relaxing inside the Town Hall.

The walled town had many large arches that were once used as entrances for nobles.

This Renaissance style home was altered in the late 16th century. The door knocker was placed high so that it could be easily reached by people on horseback.

Half-timbered houses.

"What's that Lassie? Timmy fell down a well?"

Church Saint-Maur

The Saint Maur Church was founded by the Benedictine monastery of Souillac during the 12th century.

It was rebuilt at the end of the Middle Ages, and displays the characteristics of the Southern Gothic style.

Château de Beynac
Dordogne department

In order to reach the feudal castle, we had to hike up the steep village streets.

Along the way, there was a conveniently located creperie cafe. It was a unanimous decision to stop and have brunch.

This area was used as a horse shelter in the filming of Luc Besson's, The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999). The ramp led to the upper courtyard.

In the 12th century, the southwest region of France was under British rule after the marriage of King Henry II of England to Eleanor of Aquitaine.

The castle was built in the 12th century by King Henry II, and was later given to his son, King Richard I. On July 17, 1453, it was returned to the French after the last battle of the Hundred Years' War, the Battle of Castillon.

In the film, Ever After (1998), Danielle de Barbarac (Drew Barrymore) was sold to the evil Pierre le Pieu and imprisoned in this castle.

The guards room.

Ornate wooden carvings.

Andrew in his "office."

Nobles and the four baronies of Perigord met in the large medieval state hall. Their flags are seen on both sides of the fireplace

16th century staircase.

The southern terrace is 450 ft. above the Dordorgne River.

The expansive view allowed archers and crossbowmen to easily spot approach enemies.

Once enemies forced their way through, and reached the iron-shod door, they were quickly met with boulders and quicklime. Ouch!

Sarlat

Dordogne department

Sarlat has some of the best preserved 14th-century buildings in France.

French contemporary art by Sophie Verger.

The Cathedral of Saint Sacerdos.

I like the strong and silent type.

Rocamadour
Lot department

Rocamadour is a village built on the side of a limestones cliff. In 1105 Pope Paschal II entrusted the pilgrimage to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Rocamadour, making it one of the four holy places of Christianity (Jerusalem, Rome, St. Jacques de Compostela, and Rocamadour).

With its 216 steps, the Grand Stairway is the last stage before entering into the holy city. Millions of pilgrims have climbed these stairs, sometimes on their knees!