After leaving the beautiful landscapes of Toulouse behind, we continued our journey north through France. The drive was smooth and relaxed, the scenery gradually shifting from wide open countryside to charming little towns, each with its own personality. I was simply following the route with curiosity, not knowing exactly what to expect next. That’s when my husband mentioned the name of our next stop: Versailles.
Now, I had never heard of Versailles before that moment—or at least I didn’t remember hearing about it. I looked at the word, spelled it out, and said it the way any logical person would say something written as Versailles—every letter included. “Ver-say-les,” I pronounced confidently.
That moment became one of those light-hearted memories that stay with you. My husband grinned and corrected me gently but playfully. “It’s Ver-sigh,” he said, drawing it out like a character from a fancy movie. I laughed out loud, partly from embarrassment and partly because I loved how he turned even a pronunciation mishap into a sweet inside joke between us. From that point on, every time I said “Versailles,” I paused a second, smiled, and made sure to say it right.
When we finally arrived, I quickly understood why this place was so well-known—and why my husband had been excited to show it to me.
The Palace of Versailles was something else entirely. The word “grand” doesn’t even begin to capture it. From the outside, the palace looked enormous and stately, like a place lifted straight from a fairytale or a period film. It almost felt unreal, too majestic to be part of the real world.
We joined a guided tour, and as we stepped inside, it was like entering another time. Room after room welcomed us with gleaming marble floors, crystal chandeliers, gold-covered moldings, and ceilings painted with dramatic historical scenes. The entire palace seemed like a monument to beauty, power, and detail. You could stand in one spot and spend ten minutes just taking in everything around you.
The Hall of Mirrors was one of the highlights. I had seen photos of it before but being there in person was something else. The long corridor lined with mirrors on one side and tall arched windows on the other was filled with light. It reflected everything—the chandeliers, the movement of people, the soft gold glow of the walls. You couldn’t help but walk a little slower, taking it all in. It was one of the most beautiful spaces I had ever stepped into.
Despite the crowds, there was something peaceful about walking through those halls. Maybe it was the sense of history, or maybe the place was just too magnificent to feel cramped. Everyone was there for the same reason—to marvel, to wonder, to admire. So we all moved along together, and somehow, the crowd faded into the background. It didn’t take away from the experience at all.
Once we were done inside, we headed to the gardens, which are just as famous and just as breathtaking in their own way. The symmetry, the artistry, the sheer size—it was stunning. Everywhere you looked, there were perfectly trimmed hedges, elegant fountains, and marble statues nestled in quiet corners. Wide gravel paths stretched in every direction, inviting you to wander. The sky was clear, the breeze was gentle, and we just walked without a plan.
We didn’t try to see every corner of the gardens—they were far too big for that in just one visit—but we saw enough to feel the power and beauty of the place. We took our time. Sat on benches. Took photos. Watched families, tour groups, and couples all doing the same thing. Everyone was sharing the joy of the day, in their own way.
Versailles made me feel small in the best possible way. It reminded me how rich the world is with stories, architecture, and art I had yet to discover. This wasn’t just a palace—it was a piece of living history, and I felt lucky to walk through it.
Thinking back, I love how this part of the trip came together. From mispronouncing the name to walking through mirrored halls and quiet gardens—it all felt a bit like a dream. I didn’t grow up dreaming about Versailles. I didn’t even know it was a place to dream about. But being there changed something in me. It made me curious in a new way, made me want to learn more, see more, appreciate more.
By the time we left, I was tired but deeply happy. Not the tired you feel from long walks or long lines, but the good kind—the kind that comes from doing something meaningful and beautiful. My husband and I didn’t say much as we left, but I knew we were both carrying that same quiet appreciation. And yes, I said Versailles correctly on the way out. With a smile.
