Hello, friends! At the end of May, as part of my extensive travels this spring, I spent an entire day at Versailles – without actually setting foot inside the main Chateau at all. Rather, my time was occupied in wandering the vast grounds and gardens, a treat I’d not experienced on my previous visit. Arriving when the gardens opened at 8:00 am, I ducked into the side entrance and luxuriously had the Orangerie and adjacent areas to myself for some time before the masses of visitors descended upon the property.
Although I am an English garden girl at heart, I adore French gardens for their symmetry, exquisite attention to detail and the stimulating juxtaposition of planned formality with lush exuberance. The designs and their orderliness are very calming in their predictability but still delight with unexpected vistas that fit harmoniously into the whole. To me, they seem a fitting metaphor for living – establishing an organized framework that supports the random, beautiful experiences, creativity and possibilities within one’s lifetime.
Beautiful details abound through the huge gardens.
The sheer size of the park enables one to experience reflective, private moments, even at the height of the season.
A column of the Temple of Love and Le Petit Trianon
Strict, formal structures and secret, hidden beds of abundant blooms (I trespassed behind a closed gate for this one) highlight the contrasting styles that make up the garden areas, both public and private.
I have many, many more images from Versailles to share but today wanted to focus on the peaceful and tranquil spots I discovered amongst the grandeur of this magnificent location. As always, you were in my thoughts as I explored and attempted to capture the magic I found. Thank you for visiting and I wish you a most marvelous week ahead!
love,
G
I hate to sound like a broken record but, once again, this is pure magic! and pure romance! =)
and I love your words about the pillars and structure of the garden holding together the moments of exuberance and abundance and your analogy for life. Funny thing, I’ve been thinking heavily about that in my own life in the past 24 hours. I have a bit too much free form at the moment and it’s not feeling quite grounded. ;)
But, I have another thought…. I’m not sure about it, though but…. Many, many English gardens do the same thing – have internal structure that leads the eye through seeming randomness – whether it’s the color or shape or… you know what I mean. The thought is this, the french as a culture are stereotyped by their, er, exuberance and ‘seize the moment’ joie do vivre. ;) But their gardens are so tight. The British… well… it’s the opposite!! Chuckling…. what happened in history to make THAT happen, now, I wonder? ;) (Chuckling…. :) )
Every single one of your posts bring refreshment and joy! Thank you, Georgianna! :) xxo
I have a plan to visit Monet’s garden at Giverney next spring and having seen your beautiful photos I am going to add a day at Versailles to the trip.
Thank you for sharing these lovely images of your travels!
This place is just too ridiculous for words! Unreal! Thanks for sharing G….I need to get there!!! (*_*)
A truly beautiful and inspirational collection Georgianna, I just love your work .
Hi Georgianna,
Thank you for this lovely experience to be able to see the gardens through your eyes! I can’t wait to see it for myself one day soon. Wishing you a beautiful day…
Hugs,
Linda
now i want to visit Versailles … my last visit was back in the 1960s so i think its time to go back .. early in the day as you did ..
we’re going to Amsterdam in October, we booked an apartment and plan on exploring! thanks again for your suggestions
More amazed each time I come look at these G!!! I can’t get enough!! Each pic I think – “that’s my favorite” and then I say the same with the next!!! Thank you for the tranquil path you laid out for us here to share – it helped me a lot today :) I hope you and D are having a few weeks together at home – talk to you soon – love, t.
The grounds and garden are beautiful. So vast… I can see how you would spend all of your time outside rather than inside. A delight for the senses and eyes.
Beautifully photographed Georgianna.
wonderful & beautiful images captured on your travels !
Oh, so lovely!
What a treat to have those spaces to yourself for that time. :)
I loved wandering the gardens and hamlet at Versailles, and you’ve captured all the magic of the place in your photos!
xoxo
What a beautiful place that must be to see in person….sigh.
What a wonderful place to be, and how nice that you had it all to yourself for a while.
As always, your photographs are purely magical.
Happy day to you, Georgianna! xo.
There are some places on our wonderful planet that really seem taken from fairy tales, but you have the talent to increase their magic atmosphere in such a fabulous way !
thank you so much my dear Georgianna, you’re amazing !
Have a lovely continuation of your summer
Sending hugs
xo
Dany
So good to see you posting again, Georgianna! From the first image to the last, my jaw was on the keyboard. Your images have such a magical quality to them. Have a great week!
This is magical Georgianna! Must have been wonderful being there so early before the crowd arrived. What a treat that must have been! So beautiful! I hope sometime I’ll be able to visit this as well. I prefer this to Disneyland….. ;)
Marian
I am in total awe G! I love all these captures, but the one of the mock orange is gorgeous! You always make things and places look so magical, but then, I imaging this place really is. I love the eye that someone with your experience has, to bring out the life and soul of a place like you have here. It makes one feel that they must see it for themselves to be able to make this beauty a part of them.
Thank you for your amazing talent G. You bless us all who see it.
much love,
Absolutely magical…I don’t know if I’ll ever get to visit Versailles in person, so thank you for allowing me to experience it vicariously through you!
I think I need a day at Versailles! This looks heavenly!
One of my all time favorite posts of yours, friend. Adjectives escape me on this one because they sound diminishing somehow. I’ve never been there … someday!
Simply breathtaking!
how absolutely beautiful
Thank you for the pleasure of this little mini virtual vacation.
Beautiful and peaceful.
FlowerLady
Hi Georgianna,
Thank you for taking us along with you to so many beautiful places. Once again your photos are magical!
Thanks also for your visit and kind words.
Carolyn
There is so much pure beauty here. I love the chance to travel with you. My favorite is probably the boats. It’s like a perfect summer memory.
Georgianna these images are so gorgeous. I am feeling so disappointed that I didn’t explore the grounds more when I visited this beautiful place :( I need to go back!
What a wonderful place to visit – thanks for the fab virtual tour! xo
Hi Giorgina,
that is what I remember from my visit in Versailles: its incredible size…wow. And your incredible pictures and impressions are virtually enlarging it again…Thx so much for sharing. Best, Andreas
One place I have never been to. Some years ago I bought a small old photo album with old black and White photos of Paris and the old timber house in the grounds of Versailles! I doubt if it has changed since then! Catherine x