I’m a cinema fan and I think films are just as valid an inspiration to travel as any guidebook. I’ve been known to create itineraries around film plots before, and no one marries travel porn and the quintessential hotel stay experience like Sofia Coppola. With that in mind, I re-watched Sofia Coppola’s film Marie-Antoinette before my recent trip to Versailles palace and found it incredibly entertaining and inspirational.
Photos of Versailles castle
The Queen’s village at Versailles is one of the coolest, most underrated things about French cultural heritage tourism. I could have spent a week there. Definitely rent the golf cart if you go because the grounds are huge and it’s fun to ride even if it makes your video shakey. During my visit I stayed at the wonderful Trianon Palace Versailles Hotel, which is adjacent to the toad’s field of Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet.
Palace and park of Versailles
One of the mazes of Versailles
So here’s a little eye candy inspired by Ms. Coppola, Champagne, and the wacky ostentation that is Versailles.
Note: I don’t think I’m the only one who has been inspired by Ms. Coppola’s Antoinette movie. The Kanye West/ John Legend collaboration The Blame Game samples heavily from Aphex Twins Avril 14th track which is featured on the soundtrack, nestled between 80s music gems, including a few by Bow Wow Wow.
Dog in Trianon Palace