After a lovely morning together, Danielle and Shaun picked up the car. we got lost yet again, as the gps in the car (in which we had great hopes) didn't know our street. Finally we made it back to the kids, who were all ok. Then out to the Palace of Versailles.

We were all amazed by the extravagance of this extraordinary palace; The ceilings were amazing; the hall of mirrors extraordinary. Louis XIV went to such lengths to communicate his wealth and power.

And yet the very next king was deposed and executed! Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall!

Shaun was particularly interested in the way Napoleon had ordered that one of his significant coronation guests be painted in, even though she had refused to come, and that he ordered that Josephine be left out of a painting of a different event, as he had by then divorced her.

Unfortunately the rain meant we couldn't wander the enormous and beautiful gardens so hopefully we will be able to return another day.