Rural Versailles

Versailles's grounds cover over 2 000 acres of land and beyond the Palace there is a totally different atmosphere :) The crowds just seem to disappear a bit ;)

On Musical Fountains days (summer Tuesdays and weekends) you have to pay extra to get into the gardens :( So a nice stroll through the gardens towards the Trianons was out of the question + I wasn't too confident that we would've had the time for all of that because on top of it all it was a Fireworks Saturday (extra ticekt again) so the gardens close around 6PM already... That left us with the petit train - the little train which is a hop-on, hop-off kind of shuttle service between the Palace and the Trianons. (I must say here that a lot of people didn't get the concept and just stayed in the train for the whole round (you're only allowed one round) and only got off for 2 seconds to take some photos when it stopped, confusing people at those stops who wanted to board the train :D You could see it especially when we came back no one got off at ANY of the three stops. 7.50 for that is too much imo :D + I think one spanish family actually had tiny fight coz at the last stop they kinda wanted to go out but couldn't make their minds up so stayed on, but then as we were already moving pressed the stop button + they didn't look very happy and obviously they weren't allowed to descend the train at a random spot). 

We luckily had read the small print stating that you are allowed to get off at the stops and visit the trianons and then later catch another train back. And seeing as we stepped out some of the other hesitant people got off too :D (before I was talking about the train we took to get back to the Palace). There was a little queue to get into the Big Trianon, but nothing compared to the Palace queue :) More security and metal detection gate :S Is safety really such an issue? The garden of it was really nice and you could see the big canal or lake or whatever they call it from there as well, so I wasn't too bummed that we couldn't go to the actual garden :) there was a sign pointing towards the Little Trianon but since we didn't know how far it would be we decided to get the mini train. Guess who far away it was? Freaking 2 minutes on the train if not less :D We could've walked!!!!! But now you're smarter aren't you? :) A slightly longer queue now for the Little Trianon and The Queens Hamlet... I'm so sick of people already!!!!!!!!!

The Little Trianon was also crowded inside so just made our way in a queue through the house :D (Slight exaggeration). And then went outside to look for the Queens Hamlet which was supposed to be a 10-minute walk away :) Through the lovely mazey estate :) Highlight of the day for sure!!!! No questions asked, it was the most idyllic place ever! (On the way there we saw a couple of river rats too, and swans and then fish who were so desperate for food that they were on top of each other half out the water to catch the bread crumbs people were throwing them while fighting with ducks). You couldn't go into any of the buildings though :( (Expect the hunters cabin which was converted into a toilet). If you walked further along you reached the farm that still has animals :) yay saw rabbits and fluffy chickens, donkeys, goats etc. Awwww.... my new favourite place now :) And on regular days (when the fountains aren't working) it should be free to get to... If you take the walk through the gardens... I think... Because normally the gardens are free...

Anyway I was happy as larry now :) And we decided to make our way home :) which was completely free for some reason :D (Mr. Special had bought a return ticket HAHAHA fail) But all the gates were open and the staff there told everyone that the (last?!?!) train is about to leave hurry up, No! you don't need to buy a ticket just get on!!!! The train was PACKED to the fullest. literally, luckily there was some room on the very last carriage for us and a couple more people :) Everyone were confused about it being the last train though... Who knows...

Ttyl ;)
Jazzz...