Inspiring Awe - Versailles Grand Moments and More Everyday Wonder
Cultivating a Practice of Awe
I believe travel has a special way of awakening our sense of wonder, helping us see the extraordinary in the world around us. But opportunities to feel awe aren’t limited to far-off destinations—they’re all around us. We miss them sometimes because our attention and intention are elsewhere: getting to work, stepping around the growing mountain of laundry, or walking to get our steps in. Due to familiarity and routine, we easily miss the reflection in the puddle, the fresh dusting of snow on the mountain, or the sparkle in the eyes of a neighbour's child. By practicing intentional noticing, we can discover those moments of magic no matter where we are.
I am cultivating an ongoing practice of seeking awe based on the science that finds that the more we practice seeking and savouring awe, the more we feel it. It works whether in a foreign country or standing in our backyard. My practice includes travel because it amplifies my wonder through novelty, a sense of adventure, and personal challenge. It also includes local awe-ventures to hone my ability to notice and appreciate awe in the beauty, connection, and meaning everywhere.
Solo in Versailles
During a week spent in Versailles, one of my early solo travel experiences, I encountered moments of awe in both grand and unexpected ways.
The city of Versailles made a wonderful home-based as a solo traveller. It is small enough to get to know your way around, has a welcoming road of shops, and has a regular “lived-in” feel with families and routines often hidden in large cities. At the same time, Versailles is big enough to wander offering plenty to see and do. It is also on a main transportation route making a jaunt into Paris a piece of cake!
I spent two glorious days at the Palace of Versailles. One trip through the palace was enough, but the gardens called me to return! Walking through the gardens feels like stepping into a living canvas roughly the size of 1,200 football fields! Imagine a landscape where 210,000 flowers bejewel every corner and 200,000 trees fill one of history's most stunning royal estates. It is honestly more of an open-air museum of artistic vision, royal grandeur, and over-the-top opulence. Gardens of Versailles Map
As you wander the grounds, you'll discover hidden "groves" that feel like secret outdoor rooms. The woods and paths are strategically designed to create fifteen natural "salons" each with elegant statues and cascading fountains where you can almost hear the whispers of historical conversations and royal gossip.
Let me share some of my Versailles awe moments. Allow me to connect my experiences with ideas for similar “practices” of noticing that can likewise enrich everyday life wherever you or I may be today. Because awe isn’t just about where you are—it’s about how you choose to see the world.
Noticing Awe in Beauty and Music: The Gardens and Musical Fountains
I woke up early to reach the Palace of Versailles entrance at opening time. It was early enough in the day that I found myself alone in the majestic Mirror Basin, a grove built by King Louis XIV in 1702. My visit coincided with the final days of the Musical Fountains Show which runs from April to October. The fountain was dancing to baroque music, the ribbons of water reaching for the sky in perfect harmony with the orchestra’s crescendo. Surrounded by lush hedgerows, I stood completely enchanted alongside statues of goddesses! The scene felt like I was transported to another era. I felt rather underdressed!
The gardens, still quiet before the crowds arrived, had a serenity and grandeur that seemed to transcend time. The moment was powerful, I recall tearing up! The interplay of visual beauty and sound created a profound sensory experience. Simply being present with no prescribed itinerary allowed me to take it all in. I spent the morning enjoying each grove’s unique music and dancing fountain.
Awe Travel Tip: Go early or late!
The best way to visit Versailles (or a site like it) is to arrive early and give yourself lots of time to still and ground yourself before it gets crowded. I also enjoyed the quiet at the end of the day near closing time, however, there was a special energy in the morning as the gardens woke for the day. Quiet allows us to be more aware of how sights, sounds, and even smells interact to create a sense of wonder. Extra tip for a day in Versailles - you may leave the grounds and use the same ticket to return ONCE in a day, but you have to re-enter using a different entrance.
Awe at Home Tip: Practice “Sensory Stacking”
Combine elements of sight, sound, and scent to elevate your everyday experiences. Light a candle, play music, and observe the details in your surroundings as you create a layered sense of awe. Better yet, get your hands dirty in the garden or arrange some cut flowers for your space, or savour a sweet treat. Engage all the senses in your environment.
An Unexpected Moment of Collective Effervescence
Later that day, I wandered away from the palace into the less-travelled parts of Versailles. I started walking around the Grand Canal - just because! My visit to the gardens happened to be the same day as the Royal Race, a 15km local running event. Thousands of participants, many dressed as kings, queens, and court jesters, wound their way through the grounds of Versailles and around the Grand Canal. I quietly cheered them on as I walked their route in reverse, sharing smiles and small moments of encouragement.
Once again, I felt a wave of awe. This time, it was sparked by being part of something greater than myself with others— it was a collective experience that blended joy, effort, and community spirit - “collective effervescence.” It reminded me that travel often brings serendipitous moments, where simply being open leads to unexpected connections.
Awe Travel Tip: Join in Somehow
Whether by planning or by chance, allow yourself to get drawn into local activities and events like a parade, a festival, or a sporting event. These are common sources of Collective Effervescence that create a feeling of energy and harmony when people are engaged in a shared purpose.
Awe at Home Tip: Open Yourself to Serendipity
Take a stroll through your town or city without a set plan. Be curious about what's happening around you—whether it’s a street musician, a pop-up market, or people coming together for an impromptu gathering. These unexpected encounters can spark awe in the everyday. Sometimes, the most awe-inspiring experiences are the ones you didn’t plan for.
Awe in the Big Ideas: Culture and History
My time spent “wandering” the Versailles palace and gardens—where so much world and French history unfolded—deepened my sense of awe. Witnessing the running event, I found myself captivated by the stark contrast between the present moment and the centuries of French history that had unfolded beneath my feet. I was struck with a profound awareness of the opulent, extravagant displays of wealth and power, knowing its contribution to the quiet seeds of revolution that would ultimately transform France forever.
This is true magic in travel: developing a deeper understanding of a place beyond seeing its sights. Throughout my trip, I continued to notice French cultural narratives symbolized at Versailles - an artistic reverence and sophistication and a rebellious spirit challenging existing power structures.
Awe Travel Tip: Learn Before You Go
Do a little research about the culture and history of a place before you visit. This could be reading a few novels, watching some movies, or asking friends who know the area. Even a little knowledge can transform what you see from a mere visual experience into a connection with human history and into a more meaningful experience of wonder.
Awe at Home: Follow up with Learning
Consider your past travels and do some “post-trip” learning. Whether the trip happened this year or a few decades ago, dig out the photo albums or digital files buried in your cloud storage and let them help you continue to wonder. Read, watch movies, cook local recipes, or find a playlist to remind you of the place. This isn't academic research—it's a playful, personal exploration. Each novel you read, each recipe you attempt, and each documentary you watch adds another layer to a travel experience. You're not just remembering a trip; you're keeping the sense of wonder alive.
Awe Within: Personal Growth
My week in Versailles wasn’t just about the palace or the beautiful gardens—it was also about my own growth. As one of my first solo travel experiences, it marked another milestone in my journey as a solo traveller and “woman of adventure.” Each day brought small challenges and victories, from navigating the trains to Paris to buying my food in the bustling street market to not getting lost!
Market Day in Versailles is incredible. On my first solo day, I ventured to the Notre Dame Market - the 2nd largest market in France - to buy fresh local foods for my meals. I circled the market several times as I decided what to buy, and gathered my courage to interact with the vendors with my middle school French. I challenged myself to buy from multiple vendors and went home smiling with a big bag of fresh produce and a rotisserie chicken!
These moments of “OMG I just did that!” help me realize that awe isn’t just external—it’s something to cultivate within ourselves by embracing new experiences, stepping outside our comfort zones, and taking time to reflect on what we see and feel.
Awe Travel Tip: Journal Your Feelings
Use tools like journaling, photography, or art to capture your experiences. Sometimes awe comes when you look back at your experiences as well as when you are living them! Connecting your writing, photos or art to feelings (versus sights and activities) helps reflective practices deepen your sense of wonder and awe.
Awe at Home Tip: Nudge Out of Your Comfort Zone
Step out of your comfort zone by exploring a new hobby, visiting a part of your town you’ve never been to, or learning a new skill. These experiences can create a sense of discovery and personal accomplishment. Read this post for 3 powerful tips to survive and thrive a comfort zone challenge.
Bringing Awe into Everyday Life
Travel undoubtedly provides incredible opportunities to discover awe, yet the truth is that awe is everywhere. The same sense of wonder I felt in the gardens of Versailles can be found in a morning walk at home, a thoughtful conversation, or even the way sunlight filters through a window. By practicing intentional noticing and staying present, we can bring more wonder into our daily lives.
Want some practice to boost the AWE in your life? Join me in my next Awe-venture Challenge!
More photos of my solo time in Versailles
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I hope this article helps you to plan your next adventure! Looking for more guidance?
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