#14: Versailles

I first came here in August 1999 as a single 22-year old with my friends.

So, it was fun to return here 26 years ago with my family!

The triumphant entry to Versailles!

And the gilded gate surrounding it's entrance and courtyard.

Inside the courtyard - it's massive!

The Royal Chapel

Can you imagine having a home big enough to house a Chapel??!

And of course..... the ornate Hall of Mirrors!

Every square inch of this place from floor to painted ceiling is a sight to behold!

It's official.... we've kissed in a palace!

And just when you think you've seen all the opulence you can imagine..... head out to the immaculately landscaped gardens which go on as far as the eye can see!

Versailles is a Must Do.  There's just nothing like it.  And if you get the Museum Pass, then it's "free" in the sense that it's included in that!  But make sure to reserve your entry time in advance.  If you fail to do this, then depending on the time of year you go, you will either wait in line a LONG time or not be able to go at all.  So this is one you definitely want to plan for in advance!

And with that..... here's a little look at my original visit here in 1999.....

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.

#341: Giverny (pg 113); 2nd Ed: Impressionist Normandy (pg 109)

 

April 2025

The tulip gardens in front of Monet's home.

The famous Japanese bridge.

Stop and smell the roses.... or the tulips as the case may be.

After visiting Monet's home and gardens, it's worth the trip to walk a mile or so through the quaint village to Monet's church, where he is buried, along with his family.

VERDICT:  Monet's home and gardens were lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed this day-trip from Paris (although I recommend driving if you're able - public transportation is a bit of a pain as it's a long train ride that only gets you to Vernon, and then you have to shuttle from Vernon to Giverny; much easier just to drive directly there if able.  Parking is plentiful and free) but I don't necessarily think it's something you have to do before you die unless you're passionate about Art/Impressionism.  

Cost: This is not included in the Paris Museum pass, but cost is reasonable.  It was $57 for our family of six and this included the house and gardens.  You don't have to get tickets in advance; anyone can just show up and wait in line to get in.  But it's advisable to get tickets in advance so that you don't have to wait in line.  We didn't get tickets in line and waited in line for about an hour. 

Admission:  

Adult: 12 Euros

Child >7: 6.50 Euros

Child < 7: Free

#340: Cathedrale Notre Dame de Chartres (pg 121)

 

April 2025

Chartres is a doable day-trip from Paris or from the Loire Valley.  And definitely worth the stop in order to see this Gothic masterpiece, the Cathedrale Notre Dame.  It's the third largest Gothic Cathedral in the world, only behind Rome's St. Peter's and the Canterbury Cathedral (both of which I've been to!).

The windows were created by 12th and 13th century master glass artists and were saved from both World Wars by people painstakingly removing each piece and hiding them for safe keeping.  I love hearing the stories of what the citizens  of European towns did to protect their treasures and culture and history during those dark and destructive times.

The nave, 427 feet long, 20 feet wide and 120 feet high, is the widest of any church in Europe. 

It's main "claim to fame" is this relic, a birthing gown supposedly worn by Mary when she gave birth to Jesus, which the church acquired in 876.

Easter Mass

The cathedral is beautiful by day and by night!

VERDICT:  The town of Chartres is charming and seemed like it came right out of a set for Beauty and the Beast. But this cathedral is certainly the main attraction.  If I had to choose just 1000 things in the entire world to see before I died, I'm not sure this would make the list (of note, it was removed from the 2011 2nd edition), but Paris is a "must do" and the Loire Valley is a "must do" and this is close enough to both, that it's absolutely worth the stop on your way to/from Paris or the Loire Valley!

#339: Loire Valley and Domaine Des Hauts De Loire (pg 126); 2nd Ed: Loire Valley (pg 122)

 

April 2025

We rented a car to explore the Loire Valley, which has the highest concentration of castles anywhere in the world.  We decided to head to Chambord, the largest of all the castles, boasting 440 rooms and 365 fireplaces! 

One of our favorite things was to climb to the rooftop and see the views from up there.

Views for days!

We also loved learning the history of this chateau, including the fact that it was used to store many pieces of the Louvre, including the Mona Lisa during WWII!  This was especially meaningful to us, since we had just been to the Louvre a few days before.

Frncois I's bedroom

More exploring.

Verdict: Yes!!!  We absolutely loved the Loire Valley and left wanting to see more and wishing we had more time to spend here.  That's always a mark of something that truly deserves to be in the book!  My husband and I always discuss the "verdict" after we experience something from the 1000 Places book together.  Sometimes we're in agreement and sometimes we aren't, but in this we were both in agreement that this is absolutely something to see before you die and hope we're lucky enough to see it again before we die - and more of it next time!!

#338: Amelia Island (pg 597, 2nd Ed. pg 745)

 

Dinner at Salty Pelican Bar and Grill

Fort Clinch State Park

These cannons point across the St. Mary's River toward the Georgia islands.

This fort was built during the Civil War, and while it was built in a very strategic location, it never ended up seeing actual battle.

The St. Mary's River

After exploring the State Park, we built up an appetite and enjoyed lunch The Patio at 5th and Ash.  We recommend their charcuterie as an app!

And then we made our way back "home" (we stayed at Amelia Surf and Racket Club A136, a 3 BR, 3 bath beach-front condo) to walk along the beach.

And enjoy the sunset!

I went to Amelia Island with three former college roommates.  We are spread all over the country and wanted to try to get together.  Unfortunately, the only time that worked for everyone was the MLK holiday weekend in January.  So, since we knew it would be freezing in most areas of the country, we settled on Florida.  Well...... this is what we got!  There was a  polar vortex that came up from the South, so Amelia Island, typically in the 60's this time of year was in the 20's and 30's!  Brrrr  🥶

So, it definitely limited what we initially envisioned doing (biking, kayaking, etc).

But we bundled up and made the most of it and loved all the awesome trees and walking paths!

And made our way to American Beach on MLK day, which we felt was an appropriate way to spend the day!  This was within walking distance of our condo and was founded by Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Florida's first black millionaire as a resort community for African Americans during the time of the Jim Crow era and segregation.

Then we spent the rest of the day on a self-guided historic tour of downtown Fernandina Beach looking and learning about all the historic homes, having lunch and shopping.  A delightful way to spend a non-beach day on a Amelia Island!

Here I am with my friend Kelli in front of Tabby House at 27 South 7th Street, whose outer walls are made of concrete and local shells.

And then, we lucked out because as we were walking by Williams House (at 103 South 9th St and now run as a 10-room B & B), the owner saw us looking at the home from the outside and invited us in!  She said she planned to take the Christmas decorations down later that day, but we were glad we got to see it in all it's Christmas glory!  It was cozy, charming and beautifully decorated.

St. Peter's Episcopal Church known as "The Jewel of Centre Street." 

And then we made our way to "The Captains House", now more informally known as The Pippi Longstocking House due to this home being selected as the location for The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking. 

And then made our way back "home" again for one last walk along the beach and beautiful Amelia Island sunset before heading home the following day.

Logistics:  Amelia island is about a 30 minute drive from Jacksonville airport.  Cost varies depending on where you stay and what time of year you visit and what you decide to do.  But there are many affordable ways to explore the island with many free or low cost beaches and state parks.

Verdict: I think I might be tainted because I visited in January.... and it was a very, unseasonably cold January weekend!!  So, my January experience was No, you don't need to see Amelia Island before you die.  But it was beautiful.  I would describe it as Hilton Head and Jupiter Florida met and had a baby with a little Savannah sprinkled in there for history and southern charm.  It was a great combo!  And maybe if I went back in June-Sept, I'd have more of a "must-do" verdict 🤷

But with this visit of Amelia Island, I have now visited all of the Florida sights in the 1000 Places book!