Though not a fan of the Baroque and pretty sure that more may be less, I am certain that too much is. Nevertheless, I was looking forward to taking the kids to Versailles, the must-see French Palace. After all it commands the interest of 11 million visitors per annum. (Which the 36,000 prols who turned a swamp into the palace grounds may or may not have appreciated.)
"You'll need at least 2 days to see it all!" we were told at the start of our 3 hour tour. Our guide, a Latin American gentleman easily narrating in excellent Spanish, French and English (thus a hero), shared his adoration of all things Versailles during the 20 minute drive, provided very interesting historical details, and . .
. . . Oh Hell, this is my blog.
I appreciate the craftsmanship and the artistry, but . . . c'mon . . . really . . . the palace is gaudy and ghastly. Too much inside. Too little outside. Opulent and barren. 2 days? Maybe if you wanted to examine every leaf (gold or green). I was done in 45 minutes -- another 30 in the gardens.
Over a thousand rooms, with little to distinguish the royal ones: gold, gilt, tapestries, paintings, sculptures, mirrors, crystal, glittering glass. There are many exquisite pieces and extraordinary paintings but they overwhelm each other. There are just too many. It is as if a kleptomanic toddler was let loose in a Disney Princess Decorating Depot. (Speaking of toddlers, Trump Towers, anyone?)
Outside, the gardens (fields) were a mockery of Nature to the other extreme: straight lines, jarhead trees and insipid flowers. Nothing wild, lush, useful, surprising. No intrigue. No enticement. Passionless. Sterile. Clearly the manifestation of a frightened mind, fearful of its own imagination.
"Okay Louis, Louis, and Louis, 14, 15, 16, you guys are rich. Really, really, really rich. Super duper rich. Mega toys. YOU win!"
. . . . soooooooo now what?
"Get over your short, silly selves! You, Mr XIVth, may be the sun, but it's spelled s-o-n. And, for godssake, take a bath!"
"Oh, and before I go: Shame on You, You and You."
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