Not Quite Versailles: Other places to Visit!

So I know this is supposed to be July in Versailles but let’s face it, as big as Versailles is, if you’re in France even for a week you’re probably going to want to visit other things. There are a lot of other places connected with French Royalty, and many of them can be found within Paris. These five places would have been known to most of the French royals throughout history, and thus have a connection with them in that if was often the royals who funded their upkeep. With the exception of the last location, I have visited each and can personally attest that any money you spend visiting each is well worth it.

#1. Notre Dame de Paris

Alright we had to get the obvious one out of the way first. This cathedral has stood for almost a millennia and is well connected with the various families of French royals who built, kept, repaired it.

#2. Sainte-Chapelle

By my standards, Sainte-Chapelle is Paris’ best kept secret. It was built not only to be a private prayer chapel of Louis the 9th, but also to house the relics he was collecting, including Christ’s Crown of Thorns. The grandeur of the building and of it’s stained glass windows will leave you in awe.

#3. Le Palais de la Justice

Literally the Palace of Justice, and literally right beside Sainte-Chapelle, the palais is one in a series of administrative buildings known as the Conciergerie. It was the final home of Marie-Antoinette before she was put to death, and to this day you can visit her cell, and her memorial within.

#4. Le Louvre

The Louvre isn’t just a fancy building, it was once a palace! The inside has changed dramatically over the years, but if you wander in you can appreciate the artwork that the Louvre is famous for, and a wander outside will give you an appreciation for the architecture what was once meant for only for royalty. It’s easy to get lost, so be sure to ask for a map when you collect your tickets.

#5. Fontainebleau

I have not personally been to Fontainebleau, and is roughly an hour and a half train ride outside the city of Paris. However; I would still love to visit the palace some day. It’s foundations are medieval, it was inhabited by a Medici, and was even host to an emperor and a pope. I can’t imagine this place to be any less than glorious!