Day 18: Fontainebleau & thoughts on Villette

Today was a beautiful day to go to Fontainebleau!

(Fontainebleau)

It was sunny and warm and wonderful! A nice change after the rain and cold and wind that we've experienced on our last two group outings. We all split into little groups to spend our 5 hours in the city, castle, and gardens. I spent my time with Grace and Judy. We started by going through the castle. We saw Napoleon's apartments, Francois I apartments and some other ornate rooms. Fontainebleau was the one castle that all the kings and queens of France (and one emperor...Napoleon) have lived in at some point. The Hall of Francois I was the inspiration for the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles.

(Beth standing in the Hall of Francois I)

(View from the Hall of Francois I)

(Diana Gallery created by Henry IV for his wife so she could take

some "leisurely strolls" according to our audioguide)

After going through the chateau, we went out into the gardens. We spent our time in the Jardin Anglais. Judy and Grace frolicked a little bit. My legs were sore from running the other night and I was kinda tired from staying out late last night, so I didn't frolick. But I did keenly enjoy the scene around me. It was so beautiful! I know I keep using that word, but it feels like it has been such a long time that I've been in such a secluded, nature setting. I definitely need to go on some hikes or spend some time in parks when I return to Provo. I would have greatly enjoyed spending the rest of our time wandering the gardens, if it hadn't been for becoming hungry...

(Pond/body of water just behind Fontainebleau)

(In the Jardin Anglais)

(In the Jardin Anglais)

So for lunch we decided to go to a real French cafe and order ourselves some lunch. I ordered a croque monsieur, which had a green salad that came with it and we received a basket of three pieces of a baguette which were delicious. Then for dessert I ordered a mille-feuille. So good! So good.

(Croque monsieur, salad, bread basket, water)

(Mille-feuille)

I slept on the bus ride back to Paris. This was the sunset that ended this wonderful day in France. :)

(Sunset from the bridge over the Seine by Musee d'Orsay)

On the Metro ride back to le Vesinet with Grace we had a nice conversation. I rose the topic of conversation because of some of the things I've been thinking about because I finished Villette last night. It was definitely written by Charlotte Bronte. And it both pleased me and disappointed me. I recommend it for those of you who like Charlotte Bronte's writing. It was different from Jane Eyre and I don't think it surpasses that novel in my love for it, but it did touch me and affect me in a different way than Jane Eyre. Critics say that all of Charlotte's novels were autobiographical to a degree; if that is the case, then I think that in some ways, Charlotte and I could be considered rather similar. I was trying to explain my thoughts on Villette to a girl in the program this morning and the best way I could say it was that Villette was for a different part of my life than Jane Eyre. However, I do think that in Villette Charlotte Bronte does the best job I have ever read about describing loneliness, patience, and hope, especially as it pertains to a young woman. I may reread Villette when I/as I return to Provo. I need to think about it some more, give it some think-time, but then another perusal may be in order in the coming months.