#14: Versailles

Sept. 4, 1999. Versailles, more formally known as "Chateau de Versailles" is just a hop skip and a jump away from Paris (13 miles to be exact). We spent the afternoon walking all around the gorgeous gardens of this beautiful palace, built by the French monarchy in the 1600's. It is France's most-visited chateau and for good reason! I wrote in my book that the grounds were so amazing that I would have been satisfied without even going inside. But, of course, you must go inside! And the most famous room is the Hall of Mirrors, 236 feet long and the site of where Louis XVI married Marie Antoinette as well as location of where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919.
Verdict: Unbelievable. A must do in your lifetime! Page 122 in 1000 Places to See Before you Die.

#13: Paris

Sept. 3-5, 1999. Ahhh, Paris. This is truly one of the most amazing cities in the world. There is SO much to see! But, as we all know, the most famous thing there is to see is the Eiffel Tower, built in 1889 as a temporary structure for the Universal Exhibition. Thankfully, it wasn't taken down after the Exhibition and is truly a sight to behold in person!

We were there in 1999, so there was a countdown on the Tower to the Millennium - 120 days!

The beautiful Arc de Triomphe. You may have seen others, as they are somewhat popular in European cities, but this is the largest in the world and was erected by Napoleon in 1806.

And, no trip to Paris is complete without a visit to the Louvre! Here I am with my friend, Monique, in front of the world-famous Mona Lisa!

Outside the Louvre with my friends Monique and Kelli.

Notre Dame. It's foundation stone was laid by pope Alexander III in 1163, but took nearly 200 years to complete construction. Beautiful!

And, while a bit morbid, we had to see the tunnel where Princess Diana was killed. We were there just 2 years after her death, so there were memorials of her everywhere.

Verdict: This is obviously a no-brainer. GO, GO, GO!!! In fact, after writing this post, I've decided I must go back, but this time with a nice, digital camera in one arm and my husband on the other!