c'est le dimanche matin: Pompous Week: Versailles

The Grand Trianon - Marie Antoinette's place

Good morning everyone,

Seriously, those weekends pass too fast. Generally my whole time here in Paris flies by in a record tempo that scares me a little. Friday, I already had my mid-internship-interview with my boss, for instance.

Let’s start today, with a quick recap of my week: Monday, shopping with a good friend – what I found you will see in short notice. Those who follow me on Instagram (@svenjacole) know that we had #FreeConeDay on Tuesday: For this occasion, Ben and Jerry’s distributed ice cream for free, so what was better than grabbing a Chocolate Fudge Brownie Cone after work? After a little jogging session, I met up with friends on Thursday for an after work on one my favourite terraces here in this city. And finally, I ended my week with a Chinese-Mexican birthday party on Friday night. Puuuuh. Sounds like a marathon, doesn't it? Speaking of that, I can’t wait to share a project with you that concerns exactly that activity.

Anyway, after such a tiring week, that also implicated a lot of work, I yesterday took the train and left Paris. Half an hour later, I found myself in a different world – the Versailles Castle. I can’t believe that I have never been here before, but it is one of the most prestigious places I have ever been to. As weather was incredible, we started in the garden: Hedges are cut in a structural manner, classical music takes you back to the 18^th century, fountains add some lively components... I felt as if I was on a film set. We had picnic by the lake, rented a boat (so much fun!) and walked around for hours – so long that we couldn't even manage to visit the actual castle. Yet, there is Marie Antoinette’s place that we visited, a smaller castle and a more rural and less structural part of the park that contrasts the main building.

Yes, it’s been a fantastic day. And since I didn't visit the main castle this time, I will be back in two weeks again: back to Louis XIV, back to golden statues, back in time, back to Versailles.