SUNDAY IN THE PARK—LUXEMBOURG GARDEN THAT IS AND AN EVENING AT THE TROCADERO

It's our last day in Paris and we wanted to do a couple more things before we have to say good-bye to this beautiful city. We've been to Luxemboug Garden before but not on this trip.

Our metro station is one of the few left with the antique Metropolitain sign.

Not to be missed are the beautiful flowers right next to the metro. We passed the stately Saint Sulpice church on our way to the park.

It is the second largest church in Paris. Second only to Notre-Dame.

Lots of people had the same idea we did.

The park is over flowing with tennis players,

card players,

pony riders,

little sailors

and plenty of others enjoying a perfect afternoon in the sunshine.

Luxembourg Palace is located within the park. Marie de Medici, the widow of Henry IV had the palace built in 1611. The garden today is owned by the French Senate, which meets in the Palace.

This just happens to be a perfect place for a crepe, lemon for me and carmel for Tom.

Even the bees knew it was a good idea. It was a lovely time in a lovely park.

For our last evening in Paris, we decided to go for the gusto! Watching the fountains at the Trocadero and the Eiffel Tower light up the sky. We hopped on the Metro one last time and set out for the Trocadero and the ideal tower watching spot.

Beginning at dusk and every hour on the hour the tower appears to be golden and burst into effervescent sparkles for five minutes.

It captivates every tourist and local within eyesight. It's a wonder to behold and a must see nighttime attraction in Paris. IT WAS THE PERFECT ENDING TO OUR TRIP!

CHATEAU DE VAUX LE VICOMTE

This is one of the best kept secrets just southeast of Paris in Maincy. Stephane thought this chateau was a must see for us and he was right. We met Michele and Stephane and he drove us for about an hour to the site of this beautiful chateau.

The chateau was built by architect Louis Le Vau and the gardens by landscape architect Andre Le Notre between 1658 and 1661. They also built the palace and gardens at Versailles later. We entered past the stables,

through an arch leading to the chateau.

The story goes (in a nutshell) Nicholas Fouquet commissioned the chateau and gardens to be built. It was his dream to leave a lasting legacy for himself and his young wife. He was the Minister of Finance for King Louis XIV. He decided to have a lavish party for the King and every important person in France was invited. It did not work out the way Fouquet planned however. The King was jealous that the Chateau was more grandious and elegant than anything he had, so he had Fouquet arrested on false charges of misappropriation of funds. He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Louis went on to build the Palace of Versailles in an even more grand style using the same builders as Fouquet.

There is a moat around the chateau.

First we toured the gardens. They were fabulous!

There were statues throughout the gardens.

And several beautiful fountains.

The chateau was just as imposing from the back.

It was our time to tour the inside of the chateau. As we entered we were given headsets to hear the narrative as we walked from room to room.

It was through the headset that we got the story of Nicholas Fouquet and his infamous party. Guests were greeted in the rotunda.

The chateau was as ornate as one would expect.

The walls were covered with beautiful tapestries.

As we toured the kitchen area we were greeted by the head of the food preparation team.

We passed by the wine cellar

and the fruit cellar

on our way through the kitchen.

Apparently, wild boar is on the menu for tonight!

We had a nice dinner at the chateau restaurant. Then back to Paris where we bid farewell to our friends.