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   Subscribe for FREE weekly newsletters. BonjourParis has been a leading France travel and French lifestyle site since 1995.     Readers’ Favorites: Top 100 Books, imports & more at our Amazon store We update our daily selections, including the newest available with an Amazon.com pre-release discount of 30% or more. Find them by starting here at the back of the Travel section, then work backwards page by page in sections that interest you. Current favorites, including bestselling Roger&Gallet unisex fragrance Extra Vieielle Jean-Marie Farina….please click on an image for details.               Click on this banner to link to Amazon.com & your purchases support our site….merci! <br>