Linderhof
 

So, I hear a lot of "must see" recommendations for Linderhof and am trying to decide whether to add it to our itinerary. When we were in Paris, we visited Versailles and while it was nice, we could have skipped it. For anyone who's been to both, how do they compare?

I wasn't a big fan of Vesailles either--probably too much familiarity via research, the winter visit and the fact that the Hall of Mirrors was closed (although I had "seen" it in research). Its a huge place which I felt somewhat disconnected to. Linderhof is much more intimate and has a feeling of "lived in". Its in the woods and has nice grounds meant to be seen from the chambers. Its been 9 years but we enjoyed the visit and it gave context to Ludwig's eccentricities. It does seem to be a bit of a counterpoint to his spectacular extravagance at Neuschwanstein, which i wouldn't have wanted to miss. One of the best german castles with furnishings and decorative styles of the period.

IMO there IS no comparison between Linderhof and Versailles..the scale and SIZE of each is vastly different. Linderhof has wonderful interior decorations but they are not on the Versailles scale and the grounds of Linderhof could probably be fitted into one small corner of the Versailles acreage.

Does that mean you shouldn't go? No but you also do not tell us why you weren't enamored of Versailles (don't sweat it...a lot of people aren't).

Now if you want to see LUDWIG's version of "Versailles" go to the palace at Herrenchiemsee..much more elaborately decorated than Linderhof and the Hall of Mirrors is even bigger than the one outside Paris.

If you don't want to swing that then no worries...there are plenty of other so-called "must-sees" in that area.

I would do Linderhof. We have seen both castles and I probably prefer Linderhof. The grounds are beautiful on a sunny summer day but no where near the size of Versailles. We have also visited Linderhof in the winter. Be sure to visit the cave also.

From Linderhof you can go to the town of Oberammergau and Ettal Abbey. Both worth a visit.

Linderhof is interesting and on an easy scale for visiting. Don't miss Ludwig's underground grotto, where he floated around on a boat while listening to Wagner, his favorite composer. The Peacock Room is also a must-see, in the grounds. There's also a better-than-average gift shop just at the entrance.

We liked Linderhof and Neuschwanstein both. What I remember most is the underground grotto.

There is also a church that we stopped at close to Neuschwanstein that was interesting. There were many letters tacked to the walls on either side of the altar from people who have received miracles there. I cannot remember the name of the church.

I prefer Fontainebleu over Versailles.

Hi AIF,

Linderhof is not at all like Versailles (except for Ludwig's bedroom). Herrenchiemsee was modeled after Versailles.

Linderhof is one of our favorite castles.

The grotto alone is worth the visit.

((I))