Drawing a flood of visitors every day to its palatial grounds, Versailles hardly needs an introduction.
Here at EA Tours, we allow our teachers to custom-design the educational trip of their dreams for them and their students. Out of all the countries in the world, France is among the top destinations to visit on an educational tour. Teachers are in awe of the numerous historical sites to visit, delicious food to eat, and French culture. With any student tour, a trip outside the capital to Versailles should not be missed seeing as it’s listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
According to the UNESCO site, “The Palace of Versailles was the principal residence of the French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. Embellished by several generations of architects, sculptors, decorators and landscape architects, it provided Europe with a model of the ideal royal residence for over a century.” Due to the sheer size of the place, it’s very easy to become overwhelmed and think how on earth are you going to see everything? Don’t panic though! Our educational tours, allow the participants to enjoy things at a much slower pace. We want you to soak up the history and enjoy the small details.
Versailles feels like a whole other world! The interior is lavishly decorated while the gardens are bursting with wildflowers in the spring. The element of water adds to the dreamlike atmosphere, and the distant sound of classical music lets your mind wander to what it was like back then. It’s hard not to imagine women in their finest ball gowns and men looking handsome in their formal wear as they enjoyed an evening of dance in the Hall of Mirrors. Also, on the grounds are Marie Antoinette’s Petit Tiranon, which was built as a haven for her to escape the intense life at court, and the Queen’s Hamlet. In 1783, Marie Antoinette ordered the construction of the Norman village as another place for her to escape.
As I mentioned in my Photo Friday post, Versailles is well worth a visit the next time you head to France. It offers a window to a world that is long gone and not returning therefore making it a perfect stop on your educational tour!
Au Revoir,
Kate.