Versailles

On Friday we visited Versailles, taking three metro rides and a final ride in the RER train. Instead of entering through the main entrance, we took a bus from the RER station which took us through the Queen's Gate and deposited us a little ways into the estate on a path leading to the Porte Saint Antoine. This was fortunate as the main entrance was clogged with tourists.
We began our visit at the Petit Trianon, a masterpiece of neoclassical architecture given to Marie Antoinette by her husband Louis XVI. We continued past the Temple d'Amour (see pictures) and into the Hameau de la Reine (Queen's Hamlet), a picturesque make-believe peasant village built for Marie Antoinette, containing various thatched cottages and animal life. Next we meandered in the general direction of the Jardins du Grand Trianon, never making it all the way there (due to getting lost) but passing through many bust-filled gardens, fountains, and pools on the way, including the Buffet D'eau (an elaborate fountain), and the Bassin du Plat-Fond (a pool located near the Grand Trianon).
On the way to the Grand Canal, we passed by the Grand Trianon, a bigger version of the Petit Trianon consisting of a large colonnade flanked by two wings. Walking along the Grand Canal brought us to the chateau, where we ended our visit.  

Comparison of Versailles and Sullivans Island. A rough estimate of our path is shown in blue.

The Temple of Love

Close up of the Temple of Love

Maryrose and a donkey in the Queen's Hamlet

Nathaniel, Maryrose, and the author in front of a cottage (the Tour de Marlborough) in the Queen's Hamlet.

In the Queen's Hamlet

Nathaniel in front of some more cottages (Laiterie de Proprete)

The Mill

Another cottage

Maryrose and Mom in front of roses growing in the Queen's Hamlet

Swans and cygnets swimming in the Grand Canal

One edge of the Grand Trianon

The interior of the French Pavilion

Gardens outside the Grand Trianon

The Bottom Fountain

A corridor of trees near the Jardins du Grand Trianon; we got lost in an area similar to this

The Grand Trianon

Mom and Nathaniel on the Grand Canal, with the chateau in the background

The author, Mom, and Maryrose on the Grand Canal; this time looking away from the chateau.

The Grand Canal, viewed from the North 

The chateau, viewed from in front of the Apollo Fountain

In front of the chateau looking down upon the Grand Canal

The author, Maryrose, and Nathaniel in front of the Latona Fountain

In the Hall of Mirrors