Château de Versailles

Even if you are in Paris for a day, Versailles is a must. There is no palace in Europe that compares to it. You can move through the interior fairly quickly, as tourists are only allowed to see a tiny fraction of the palace. The grounds, on the other hand, are another story. Since you are spending the day there, I would recommend walking at least as far as the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon. The Grand Trianon is virtually empty, but the Petit Trianon is well worth a look inside. The building was a gift to Marie Antoinette from her husband. She used it to escape from the strict etiquette of the court. The furnishings are stunning, especially in the Queen’s bedroom. The pattern on the bed covering was specially designed for Marie, incorporating her favorite flower. It’s stunning. If you are willing to venture further, there is the Hameau de la reine, the Queen’s hamlet. Essentially, the hamlet is an English-styled building scheme, which includes a farmhouse, dairy, dovecote, barn, and mill. It was Marie’s rustic retreat where she played peasant. When I was there, there were sheep, cows, and other animals grazing. It’s very authentic. While you walk from the Petit Trianon to the Hameau, look out for the Temple of Love, the Belvedere, and the Grotto.