In high school I had a minor obsession with Marie Antoinette. She was by far my favourite misunderstood cake-eating historical figure and I loved everything from her naivety to her extravagant wardrobe and would passionately defend her against anyone who really thought she said “Let them eat cake”.

And yes, I did buy a necklace that had her portrait on it and I am not even ashamed to admit it.

I know what you are thinking. “Kat, how can you admire someone who covered herself in jewels when her country was starving?” And yes, looking back on it now I probably could have chosen a more admirable historical women to admire, but would they have looked as good on my necklace? My rational 15-year-old self would probably not think so.

I have moved on from the teenage idolisation of the last queen of France, but I must admit I had butterflies when I entered her bedroom…

Come on, I’m sure many people get a bit overexcited when entering their teenage obsessions sleeping quarters.

Did you know that when teenage Marie Antoinette made her initial appearance in Paris, the crowd of 50,000 people grew so uncontrollable that at least 30 people were trampled to death. It’s hard to believe it was the same countries population that ended up cutting of her head…

Like many young western females, I try to pretend I don’t value materialistic things as much as the crowd. But what girl can honestly enter marble rooms overflowing with fine art and gold and not wish that they were a princess?

The Palace of Versailles is beyond magnificent. Everything about the “chateau” is absolutely impressive – and the entrance gates are the goldest gates I have ever seen (sorry San Francisco). If you have a spare day in Paris, you must take a day trip to see one of the most extravagant places in the world. It is a quick train trip from Montparnasse and if you ave some idea of the extremity of lines in Paris, you will purchase a skip-the-line ticket so you can spend time admiring the palace rather than the stressed families and angry couples in the line.

I decided to purchase the audio tour and was extremely glad that I did, with automatic descriptions of each room as you enter you can take the colossal palace at your own pace and get as many (or little) explanations of the many exquisite pieces of art that adorn every spare bit of wall space.

You will be overwhelmed by the sheer grandiosity of Versailles and just when you think it couldn’t get any more opulent, you will discover the gardens. You need a day to explore the gardens alone but you can catch a ride on the little train that takes visitors around the property.

It will be a long day, and even if you flew into Paris first class you are going to feel like a peasant. But you may develop a new appreciation for the smaller things in life. Like not having to worry about stubbing your toe on your priceless vase in your hall of mirrors when you need to pee during the night. #royalproblems

Don’t forget to buy a golden macaroon on your way out – it’s no cake, but I’m sure Marie Antoinette would have wanted you to eat it nonetheless.

How to get there:

RER C
– Note that Versailles is outside zone 3, but a single RER train ticket to Versailles will cost you only €3.25
– To get to the palace of Versailles, make sure to buy a “Paris – Versailles Rive Gauche” ticket (zones 1-4) (T+ ticket is not valid for this journey)

SNCF Trains
– Arrive at Versailles Chantiers station from Paris Montparnasse
– Arrive at Versailles Rive Droite station from Paris Saint Lazare

Opening times