REALITY vs STAGED: TRUST YOUR JUDGEMENT MORE THAN THE DREAM

Who hasn’t had reality bite them on the butt when they see a new place and say, “I thought it would be different.”

It’s a companion piece to, “This doesn’t look like I imagined.”

Not to leave out, “I’m still glad to be here.”

When I visited Versailles I had expectations, which were fueled by watching “Versailles” on Netflix. Historical accuracy be damned, it’s the same property in real life as it is on TV; it had a familiar feel to it.

But it wasn’t the same. I’ll tell you why:

Better still, your own eyes tell you the difference in the two pictures. The bottom shot is from my visit. The Hall of Mirrors was packed.

It was so packed I couldn’t see myself in any mirror. There’s a selfie I’ll never see, my big head in a special French mirror.

Sharing Reality

I’ll tell you now: Versailles is a far cry from any reality. It’s a real place, yes, but a real weird place. Who could live in such a house?

Part of the history today is about historical preservation. After the French Revolution the new leaders raised money by selling Versailles objects to the highest bidder. Over the centuries museum people have tried to buy the back.

Their success shows in the rooms stuffed with period furniture and art, and hallways stuffed with tourists like me.

No matter the trip, make an effort to see things as they are, but also the way you imagine them. Trust reality, but don’t erase the dream like it never mattered.

Versailles In My Eyes, A Different View

In My Versailles, I’m there with my Rick Steves Tour group and our three guides; no one else.

Those people were the King’s Court for the day, royal servants to a better understanding of what France has endured.

The palace may be ten miles outside Paris, but we walked nine miles through the Versailles gardens. With a stop for lunch and beers, it was a place for art fans.

The final score: Victory for Versailles. I could tell it was a winner when I saw lesser estates copy the same idea of structure and landscape. Did it inspire me to create a little Versailles around me?

Let’s just say I’m getting a new throne on the advice of a Frenchman. Thanks, Quentin.