While I would never forgo the experience in person, I must say that this is about as up close and personal as I was able to get with The Coronation of the Emperor and Empress on my own visit to Versailles, too.

Thankfully, I now have Google Art Project at my fingertips and art-loving disposal. I can zoom in and enjoy this masterpiece in crazy-amazing detail, as can you. This or any number of other works in a growing online collection from 17 world-class museums and counting.

Hurrah for high-tech!

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - | Warren Martil | - photo - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Versailles, France ★
Photo courtesy of | Warren Martil |

How did I miss this grande dame at Versailles? Sublime shot. Even if it isn't really a Polaroid (one of the tags on the image says 'nikon' and nowhere does it say 'polaroid').

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - Caio Brito - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Versailles, France ★
Photo courtesy of Caio Brito

Did you know that the Palace and Park of Versailles is on the UNESCO World Heritage List? I didn't. So it turns out I've been to one more UNESCO site than I'd thought, then. Magnifique! Just like Versailles.

I went for the first time this spring, and spent an entire day there. Arriving early, around 9AM, I was able to wander the park and gardens for hours with hardly a soul in site. It seems everyone begins with the palace and ends in the gardens. Going at it the other way around pays off in peace, if you ask me. After exploring the ample green grounds, I found my way to the Trianons - the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon - and then back to the palace for the finale.

I must say that by the time I reached the palace I was truly wiped out. While I expected Versailles to be grand and grandiose, it was about a million times more majestic and freakishly expansive than I'd anticipated. The palace is big and beautiful, yes. But it was the recently renovated Hall of Mirrors that took my breath away. Perhaps it was the time of day and the light in which I saw it. Whatever it was, it moved me to a few fleeting tears. I tried to capture it with my camera, but unhappy with the results, all said photos were deleted.

Of my remaining snaps, I've selected two to share here with you today. A view through one of the palace's beveled glass windows to a portion of the grounds outside (above), and one of the many lavish painted panels that adorn the palace ceilings (below).

Alas, I didn't get to Versailles on one of the days when all the fountains are turned on. Next time. And I'll have to make a point of staying all day so that I can experience the waters in the setting sun, hopefully half as beautiful as the day that FrankBa made this amazing image of a similar scene.

Read more about the Palace and Park of Versailles here.

Your comments on this image are welcome, and encouraged! And a question for the photographer - FrankBa - if s/he is so inclined: Is there anything special about this moment, day, trip, or place beyond what you've shared on Flickr that you'd like to add or comment on here? Along with other vivaca visitors, I would love to know more!

Location: Versailles, France ★
Photo courtesy of FrankBa