Paris Day 3

The Versailles biking tour was undoubtedly the highlight of our Paris trip.  It was very tiring but highly memorable.

The day was perfect for biking.  The wind was a bit chilly and the sun was kind enough not to be too hot.

First stop was at the local farmers' market where we bought supplies for our picnic lunch - some ham slices, spicy olives, a bottle of white wine, water and some McDonalds (spicy chicken burgers for Ravi & me and nuggets for Sarah).  We skipped buying some pastries as the queue was quite long.

We pedaled along amazing gardens and forests, had lunch at the end of the Grand Canal, went in the Petit and Grand Trianons, toured Marie-Antoinette's Hamlet, and lastly visited the Chateau.

Along the stopovers, our local guide Agnes gave us a very condensed history of Versailles which made the tour informative as well as more interesting.

After biking along the royalties' amazing grounds, the Grand Palace was no longer the main attraction for us although the Chateau is indeed beautiful and very grand.

Taking the bike tour is surely the best way to experience Versailles!

Note:  As of this writing, Blue Bike Tours is ranked first at TripAdvisor's Paris activities.

Clockwise from top left: Getting the bikes from the warehouse, Agnes showing us the route, me and the blue bikes, some of our tourmates

family picture at the Grand Canal

Ravi on his bike.

Sarah and me on our bike at the Grand Canal.  Sarah enjoyed coaching me to bike faster!

Father-daughter bonding, looking for fish and ducks.

Picnic lunch at the end of the Grand Canal.  Loved, loved, loved this picnic!

A bit high at this point from the fantastic cheap wine.  Sarah's trying out drinking haha

 

The Petit and Grand Trianons.

The Petit and Grand Trianons.

Marie-Antoinette's Hamlet, a real working farm.

Animals at Marie-Antoinette's Hamlet

Biking along rows and rows of asymmetrical forests.

Last stop was the Chateau or Grand Palace.

Interiors of the Chateau.

Outside the Chateau

Superbly manicured gardens.

Hall of Mirrors, with a knocked out girl.

A great, fun day at Versailles!