Photo of the Week - July 6, 2012

I love Paris, but getting out to greener spaces offers a welcome break from the busy city. I took this photo on just such an excursion to Versailles last weekend. We bought fresh cheese, delicious bread and wine for a picnic at Versailles' lively Marché Notre Dame before accessing the expansive park free of charge at the Boulevard de la Reine entrance. From there, visitors can rent bikes to explore (à vélo), or go by foot (à pied)! For me, the Grand Canal is the real jewel of the palace grounds. Stretching from the gardens to the edge of Versailles, it's about one mile long and 200 feet wide. Louis XIV sailed gondolas on the canal in the summertime and rode sleighs over it's frozen surface in the winter. Getting to the far end of the canal is a bit of a trek, but the view of the vast expanse of water leading up to the chateau is definitely worth it!

photo © Rachael Woodson

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