20230505 Paris day 2 - Versailles, Louvre, and margaritas

Paris day 2 - where better to celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

Trip day: 16 / 21

Today started out with rain.  We woke up on our own, took showers, ate breakfast, and took things slow this morning.  The weather looked like it was going to break so we decided to make the trip to the Palace of Versailles.  Our metro pass was only good in the city area so we sprung for the additional ticket to get us to Versailles and back – 8.4 euros.  It involved subways and then a long bus ride but when we arrived, it was sunny and warm.  

Since we weren’t planning to go, we didn’t have tickets.  We got there around 11:30 and got in line to buy tickets.  After standing there for a while, they came out and said that entry tickets were now starting at 2:30 or later.  Wow!  I hopped online and found tickets on Viator for 1:30, so I bought them and we headed to grab a bite to eat.  I expected the tickets to arrive via email but they didn’t come.  I contacted Viator and the operator providing the tickets was unresponsive so they canceled the order.  Great.  We’re here and can’t get in.  Nice.

So close but we can't get in

Then, they suggested another tour at 3:30 and they guaranteed they could get us the tickets.  We jumped on it and were good to go.  After sitting and people-watching for a while, we went in a little before our assigned time.

The following is a series of photos from inside the palace.  Since we didn’t get explanations of everything, I’m not offering any so just enjoy the photos.

The sheer volume and scale of the art is mind-boggling.  This is especially true when you consider that while this was a palace, this was essentially a private residence.  Staggering. The marble. The gold. Wow!

The gardens required an extra ticket. Since the weather was threatening, we decided to end our day at Versailles.

Since it was Friday night, and on Fridays, the Louvre stays open late, we decided to head there next.  A bus and some subway trains later, we were at the Louvre.

Neither of us are what you could call art aficionados.  We can appreciate art but don’t get overly excited about many of what are considered great works.  Still, we enjoy seeing them.  I have to go on a little rant about the Louvre.  It is frustratingly difficult to navigate.  The maps are more suggestions for directions than maps, the guides around give conflicting and incorrect information, and the signage is sorely lacking.  Even with all that, it is an amazing place and well worth visiting.

When we arrived, since we didn’t have tickets, we got in the “I don’t have tickets” line that stretched up and down the square. At one point, a worker placed a sign midway in the line saying it was a 3.5-hour wait from this point.  

Part of the line

More of the line on both sides

We thought that was odd as the museum closed at 9:45 and it was already 6:00.  We waited it out and it took us about an hour to get in.  We couldn’t find anyone to sell us tickets.  The automated ticket machines would only sell audio guides and the ticket windows were all closed.  We asked at the information booth and were told that the Louvre was free tonight.  Score!

Here are some of the works we saw.

Arlona thought this was a sculpture of the first selfie

Sleeping Hermaphroditus - check the other side for a big surprise

Look closely!

While we were inside, the skies unloaded and everything was wet.  But, by the time we were done, the clouds parted and the rain stopped.  Since it was approaching sundown, we navigated back to the Eiffel Tower to see it at night.

We were a little disappointed as they don’t seem to use flashing lights anymore.  We stopped at a brasserie and split a Caesar salad for a late dinner.  Then, in honor of it being Cinco de Mayo, we enjoyed margaritas.

It was raining again by the time we were done so rather than bus/subway/walk back to the hotel, we booked an Uber.  It was a little terrifying but we got to the hotel unscathed. We’re beat.  Tomorrow will be somewhat more calm, whatever we choose to do.