This exhibition is a WWI centenary thank you from the people of France to Australia for the significant contribution - from 1916 onwards - of our soldiers and airmen on the Western Front.

We went on a special private tour with others from St Pauls parish, organised by a parishioner who works at the NGA. Morning tea in the Member's lounge first and then a 90 minute tour of the whole thing which was a gallop through it, bu ta good overview and a grasp of it's three monarch's - Louis XIV, XV and XVI - and their impact on the place. Most of us stayed on for a longer more personal tour through the exhibition.

There's quite a few videos on YouTube too.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Versailles+-+treasures+from+the+palace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUb53dtYkwM

and, see the list down the RHS of your screen.

It was bloody marvellous, no matter what you think of the cost or its impact leading to the Revolution.

I could feel Louis XIV's silk covered foot across MY neck.

The one thing missing, but most unlikely (insensitive even), would have been another big late 17C/18C painting of the battles of Blenheim or Malplaquet, brought over from the UK. ? ;-)! Just my little dig.

One good and very French story? From one of the NGA's reps while in Paris? The NGA had asked for one of the huge tall gold Candelabra / Chandeliers That line the Hall of Mirrors. He attended a meeting at which everyone else was saying 'non, non,' VERY volubly... and thought to himself that the request was now rejected.

Nope, the Hall of Mirrors really is all about symmetry, so they insisted that they would lend us TWO! :-)

Trisha and I were the only NGA Members in the little group.

Warmest

Tim Bailey

Skeptical Measurer & Audio Scrounger

• Treasures from the Palace.