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You’ll have to excuse me as I let out a squeal of excitement. I saw a few of these images via The Paris Apartment and fell utterly in love. If you haven’t seen all of these lovely images from Le Carnaval de Versailles over at The Cherry Blossom Girl, I highly recommend you check them out.

Some of the most gorgeous inspiration, don’t you think?  

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To Mr. Robert Levet
Paris, October 22, 1775

Dear Sir, - We are still here, commonly very busy in looking about us. We have been to-day to Versailles. You have seen it, and I shall not describe it. We came yesterday from Fontainebleau, where the Court is now. We went to see the King and Queen at dinner, and the Queen was so impressed by Miss Thrale, that she sent one of the gentlemen to inquire who she was. I find all true that you have ever told me at Paris. Mr. Thrale is very liberal, and keeps us two coaches, and a very fine table; but I think our cookery very bad. Mrs. Thrale got into a convent of English nuns, and I talked with her through the grate, and I am very kindly used by the English Benedictine friars. But upon the whole I cannot make much acquaintance here; and though the churches, palaces, and some private houses are very magnificent, there is no very great pleasure after having seen many in seeing more; at least the pleasure, whatever it be, must some time have an end, and we are beginning to think when we shall come home. Mr. Thrale calculates that as we left Streatham on the fifteenth of September we shall see it again about the fifteenth of November.
I think I had not been on this side of the sea five days before I found a sensible improvement in my health. I ran a race in the rain this day, and beat Baretti. Baretti is a fine fellow, and speaks French, I think, quite as well as English.
Make my compliments to Mrs. Williams*; and give my love to Francis; and tell my friends that I am not lost. - I am, dear sir, your affectionate humble, etc.,

Sam. Johnson.

*Widow of a Welsh clergyman, who in her old age had her home in Johnson’s house. She was blind 

I love this guide. It is filled to the brim with photos and descriptions. I found it at a local used bookstore, and would highly recommend it to other Versailles/Marie Antoinette/French History fans!

So gorgeous!