We're having a lazy day here. With the exception of Mac and Maya nipping to the corner to buy croissants, we hung out in the apartment all morning. At 11, Mac and Alex went to the art museum around the corner (yep) while Maya napped. We're planning a visit to the Bois de Vincennes for running about, a palace(maybe), and the zoo in the afternoon.
We're resting up from a visit to Versailles - part of which Alex keeps referring to as the forced march: the walk from the palace to Marie Antoinette's house. Versailles is tough for toddlers. You can't touch anything - not even the walls or doors. I also would have appreciated a warning that once you went into Le Chateau, there's no exit until you've been through every room - eek. Maya was in need of running around. We thought we were going to stick our head in and see a few rooms, hit the grounds, and then come back for more. No such luck.
Maya liked the Hall of mirrors very much though, even though she couldn't actually go touch them. She also enjoyed the grounds. She didn't care a bit that it's the off-season and there are no flowers yet. It was 60 degrees and sunny (a bit too sunny for us slightly reddened adults who didn't nap in the protection of the Ergo for a bunch of the walk). Sticks and rocks in France are just as interesting as at home, in case you were wondering.
The palace was impressive. I feel like I need to go look up all sorts of stuff. And it was very interesting to contrast the main building with the little estate given to Marie Antoinette. While the inside is distinctly different, following the queens tastes, the grounds are the biggest contrast. The grounds near the palace are as imposing as the building, with little shade and grand walks. There is (or would be were there leaves) more shade further out and, as you get to Le Petit Trianon, you find yourself in an English-style garden and more rustic-looking grounds complete with an entirely fabricated far eastern-style rock and water feature (which I'm really hoping Alex photographed).
Oh well, more tea and snacks . . .