On weekends from late spring to early autumn, the Palace of Versailles presents the "Grandes Eaux Nocturnes," a beautiful water, light, and sound show in the Gardens of Versailles during which all the fountains in the gardens are in full play. The fountain show is enhanced by masterpieces of French baroque music.
We arrived in Versailles and were greeted by the equestrian statue of Louis XIV, who very early in his reign moved his court and government there because he disliked Paris. I wonder what he'd say if he saw the mobs of tourists and locals from Paris descending on Versailles every day.
The gates opened at 9 PM and once inside everyone just strolls around all the gardens and fountains at their leisure. In traditional French style they have a few kiosks where you can buy wine and champagne; there's also a couple that sell ice cream for the kids.
Even if you've been to Versailles before, you don't get to see the gardens this way. The lighting at the Bassin de Latone, the wedding-cake style fountain dedicated to the mother of Apollo, was just spectacular.
After sunset they had a spectacular firework display on the Grand Canal, against the backdrop of the famous Apollo Fountain.
The return to Paris on the 11:55 PM train was hard for the twins but all in all everyone loved the show.
