The Queen's Hamlet

Last week during our Easter 'stay-cation' in Paris we went to Versailles. Not feeling brave enough to join the enormous queue leading up to the Chateau, we decided to go to the Petit Trianon instead. The Petit Trianon is a much smaller chateau located on the grounds on the Palais de Versailles. It was Marie Antoinette's favourite place to retreat from the formality of court life. We were particularly aiming to seen the Queen's Hamlet, a small farm within the grounds of the Petit Trianon from which, back in the day, food was supplied to the main palace. 

We went straight to the gardens of the Petit Trianon, heading for the Queen's Hamlet. 

We only walked a few minutes before seeing the house where the Queen liked to stay.

Other buildings in the Hamlet include a farm, a dovecote, a mill, a guards room, another smaller house for the Queen known as The Boudoir and the Malborough Tower where it is said that communication, via signals, took place between the Palace of Versailles and the Hamlet.

The Petit Trianon chateau was restored in 2008 and several buildings in the Queen's Hamlet are now being restored. They look beautiful in their crumbling state but will not last much longer if some serious repair jobs don't happen quickly.

This wisteria, however, does not seem to be suffering!

Further information about The Palais de Versailles and the other sights to see on the Palace grounds can be found here.

Montmartre Snapshots

After the school run this morning I resisted the urge to return straight home and hunker under a blanket on the sofa with my computer. There was some sun and I decided to walk up the hill towards the Sacré Coeur. It seems like an age since I have done this. I'm not sure where the time is going. Hours pass, days pass, weeks pass, in a foggy blur.

I'm so glad I decided not to return straight home. I thoroughly enjoyed gathering together a collection of snapshots from my neighbourhood on this cold May morning. 

First off the infamous Sacré Coeur, as seen from the park just north or the Basilica, Parc de la Turlure. 

There is a beautiful wisteria covered pergola in this park. The vine is in full bloom and looks wonderful.

I also saw a stray cat, enjoying the morning sun.

As I came round to the front of the Sacré Coeur I enjoyed the views across Paris. 

Walking along La rue Saint-Éleuthère towards the Place de Tertre I saw this forlorn line of pigeons on an apartment building.

Just by this door. As you can see there was sun (long gone now!), and lovely shadows.

Along from the door, I snapped these two framed pieces of street art. Placed by an avid anti smoker, Kaiaspire.

Looking back towards the Église de Saint Pierre from the Place de Tertre I saw Mary Magdalene silhouetted against the blue sky.

And along from the Place de Tertre, the restaurant Le Consulat was laying out their terrace tables. I loved these talls stacks of chairs.

Walking down Rue Norvins I glanced into the artists' colony and didn't have too much difficulty imagining I was in in a small village in the countryside.

Down Avenue Junot I admired this elaborate glass canopy, a grand entrance to an apartment building.

And on the other side of the road an owl, faithfully guarding this letter box.