The Palace of Versailles

Last summer I visited Paris for the first time, and our six-day trip obviously wouldn't have been complete without a trip to the Palace of Versailles.  After a quick train ride and a not so quick walk through the countryside {we accidentally got a bit lost} we made it to the insanely gorgeous and ornate palace.  It was amazing stepping foot in such a historic place, and really makes you understand the pure opulence of the French Aristocracy.  My absolute favorite aspect of the palace was the infamous Hall of Mirrors -- it was truly more beautiful than I had even imagined.

Note: For the past few years, France has used the palace to showcase temporary exhibitions by various contemporary artists.  The art you see is by Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos.  The most famous of her pieces is a giant stiletto heel in the Hall of Mirrors made of stainless steel cookware.  From the CBC, "The artist explores Marie Antoinette, the infamous Dauphine of France, in Perruque, 2012. The work is a large-scale wig situated in the former queen’s state apartment.  'The helicopter and the wig piece in her room, they were done thinking about not only Marie Antoinette but all the women that lived here and had their children here and, you know, they were here for their lives. So this was done in honour of all these women,' Vasconcelos said.  Meanwhile, a hot pink helicopter made of ostrich feathers and Swarovski crystals was on display in a room dedicated to the ascension of King Louis-Philippe."