Marie Antoinettes Hamlet
One of our favorite days in Paris was our trip to Chateau Versailles. We hopped the early morning train and spent the entire day touring the Chateau, Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, the Grand Canal and Marie Antoinettes Hamlet.
While the chateau was very crowded with tourists, we found that most did not venture out to see the other highlights making the grounds at the hamlet rather quiet and peaceful. As I would have imagined it was for Marie Antoinette.
The barns had adorable farm animals wandering about which are cared for today by the Assistance aux Animaux. On our 15 minute walk to the estate grounds the weather was cloudy, drizzly and then instantly filled with sunshine and we were greeted by a rainbow!
While many believe that Marie Antoinette lived here, she actually lived the majority of the time at the Petit Trianon. The Hamlet Estate was built for her from 1783-1785 to provide country amusements for herself and her children. In other words, an old fashioned royal amusement park.
My favorite area of the hamlet was La Laiterie de Preparation or The Creamery. For such a humble exterior the interior was encased with marble. The floors, walls, ceiling even the tables and countertops….all marble! This is where the Queen would receive fresh milk served in porcelain cups. Can you imagine?
If you're planning a trip to Paris I would definitely set aside a day to visit Versailles. You can spend your time imagining what it must have been like to live there, stroll the gardens, have a yummy baguette while picnicking near the Grand Canal or take a row boat out for a romantic afternoon. It's just a wonderful way to spend the day. The easiest way to get to the Chateau Versailles is by train.
Here's the best guide I found on how to do just that!
I hope you're enjoying my Paris posts. I realize it's like seeing someone elses vacation photos…maybe kind of boring? Have no idea if you'd like me to continue or just move on to the giveaway and our regularly scheduled programming? Either way is fine by me! xo, H
43 Responses to “Marie Antoinettes Hamlet”
Heather, these are incredible shots… next best thing! Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh my goodness, I’m so happy I stumbled upon your blog-these pictures are beautiful! My husband and I went to Paris last October and had so much fun. We went to Versailles but left before seeing Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet because I was sick… now I get to see your pretty pics! Thanks! 🙂
Please continue with Paris and your beautiful pictures!
I love your Paris posts..your photography alone is stunning…. thanks for pictures of the creamery inside….it was closed while we were there…all I could do was image how it looked inside….now I know… thanks
Heather, please DO continue! For me to sit cozily in my farmhouse on this lovely autumn day and be treated to such exquisite far-away beauty (your photos are amazing!) IS better than being there! :> Thanks for sharing!
Well, your vacation photos are better than pretty much anybody else’s. I did only four days of Bora Bora pictures for the same reason. There wasn’t the amazing architecture there, only aqua oceans. I’ll take more and more pictures of your beautiful trip!
I visited Versailles in April,2000, I remember visiting the Trianon(Grand and Petit) and the gardens but I don’t remember being able to visit the inside of Marie’s Hamlet, is this something new?….Esther.
Um are you kidding me?!!!! This stuff is great! Thanks for posting and sharing your amazing trip with me/us. I have been looking forward to it since I knew you were going. Love and Blessings, Kimberly
Please continue…….I may never get to France, and your beautiful pictures are the next best thing!
Patti
No, no, no – these are not boring posts at all! I’ve visited Versailles three times and enjoyed more each time. I think my favorite place is le Petit Trianon and the grounds around it. MA’s hameau comes a very close second. Love these.
Are you kidding me?? I am living vicariously through you! Never been to France, but I’ve always wanted to go. PLEASE continue! 🙂
Please continue wit Paris pictures and info. Thank you.
I’m loving your photos! It might be the only way I’ll ever see this, so keep them coming!
OH MY! Do not stop, ever so picturesque. I go back again and again and it takes me away. Thank you so much for sharing.
Your photos are absolutely beautiful Heather and I look forward to new ones all the time! Thanks so much for sharing with us.
I just found your blog and started following BECAUSE of the awesome vacation pics. I vote that you keep them coming. 🙂
Keep them coming, If can only dream of going to Paris,at least I can through your pics!
Heather, I am so glad you are sharing your vacation pictures! You have way better vacations than me! ; )
I’m so glad you are posting pictures from Paris. I went in May, but didn’t make it to Versailles. I am thoroughly enjoying reading/seeing your vacation. More please.
First of all, I LOVE looking at other people’s vacation photos. Secondly, most people’s vacation photos are not as beautiful as this! Keep it up 🙂
I’m beginning to wish a trip to bonne Paris were in the cards for me (sadly, I’m afraid they’re not)!
KEEP POSTING!! Im becoming obsessed with all things Paris like while viewing your photo’s…love to see the pictures!
I love it! It’s so generous that you are sharing your vacation with us! Thank you so much!
Kim
Heather, loving the details and beautiful pictures. For those of us who are planning a trip like this, it is great inspiration, valuable advice and a vicarious getaway…thank you!
Absolutely not boring! Your photos are SO MUCH better than mine from Versailles. Your eye for details are amazing. They didn’t have the barn animals there when we visited last April. Sheep were in the meadows but how adorable the goats and chickens are.
Such memories you will have the rest of your life, right?
It is so wonderful your travel log of Paris!
This isn’t your boring aunt and uncles trip to Hawaii. This is a trip to PARIS threw the eyes of a designer…..!!! Keep the “vacation” photos coming.
Thanks
Not boring! I’m taking notes in case I am ever lucky enough to go!
Don’t stop–I love this blogcation! Awesome photos with wonderful descriptions.
Might be someone else’s vacation photos, but it’s a vacation I won’t be able to take anytime soon, if ever. So I’m loving the chance to “travel” through your camera. Thanks for sharing them!
I love your blog, and I love getting to see Paris! I hope to get there someday. Until then, I will live vicariously through you! Please keep sharing your photos and stories of your trip!
Heather,
I agree 100% with the other readers ~ I soooo look forward to seeing more of your photos ~ I’m in my 60’s, and have only been to France once! (2 years ago). I’m dreaming of getting to go again, but don’t know if it’s possible….your photos are the best quality I’ve ever seen, and the places you’ve been are to die for. PLEASE share more photos with us! Your commentary is like having a tour guide. Thank you with all my heart!!!
Lord no, don’t stop! This has been a wonderful trip. Your photos are amazing and I love hearing your thoughts as you visited the sights.
nice! I love your photos
thanks!!
I spent 10 days in Paris with my daughter 2 falls ago, and built up a lifetime of memories. Please keep showing your pictures– I hope you took millions!
Oh no, please don’t stop, Heather! I’m enjoying these so much! It will be a few more years before we visit France, so I’m pinning a few of your beautiful photos to remind of places to visit!
Loving your trip, don’t stop sharing…your pictures are fabulous!
Heather your photos are so beautiful, makes me feel like I’m experiencing a bit of it with you! Thanks for sharing it with us! Susan
Please continue sharing your beautiful pictures of Paris! It is the closest I will ever get to being there. The beauty of the lifestyle, historical places and markets has me thirsting for more!
Please share more of Paris!
I seriously hope you’ll continue with the Paris posts!! They’re not even remotely boring. We were there earlier this year so seeing your photos makes me so, so happy. 🙂
Thanks for sharing them with us.
xo,
Dawn
Oh my gosh, yes, yes, please continue!! These are not like seeing the “average” vacations photos…. I only wish my friends, family and I could take pictures like yours, in places like you’ve visited, LOL!!! Keep them coming – as many as you have. 😉
Beautiful, beautiful pics…love the buildings and history…my mom was able to go to Paris and visit the flea markets this year…lucky you!!
Hollie
Heather, I’m a 35 year veteran in the travel/tour business, so I’ve seen a few travel pictures in my time. You could have ANOTHER successful career writing and photographing for travel magazines. Brilliant and intriguing. PLEASE don’t deprive us of the rest of your trip. I’m reliving my trips to France through your eyes.
Mercy beaucoup,
For those of us who will never get to visit Paris(I’m afraid to fly)it is a real blessing to be able to see the photos of your visit. So thank you for sharing and taking us along with you. ox merci
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