King Ludwig II was a great admirer of the french Sun King Louis XIV and wanted to build a palace on the island of Herreninsel on the Chiemsee.  He modelled it on the Palace of Versailles and throughout there are images and reminders of Louis and his huge Hall of Mirrors and marble staircase. No expense was spared on the magnificent interiors. Unfortunately Herrenchiemsee Palace and the gardens were not finished when the king died in an accident in1886, after having spent only ten days there.  The gardens too were also originally designed on those of Versailles with huge fountains shooting water high into the sky. It was a very pleasant walk past the Augustinian Monastery back and we watched a paddle steamer arrive while we awaited our boat to the small island of Fraueninsel nearby.

About 300 people live on the island where cars and bikes are banned and it seems that many people have boats. Fishermen sell fish caught in the clear water of the Chiemsee and tourism is obviously popular. Probably there is a good community spirit on the idyllic little island.  The prominent and largest buildings there are of the oldest convent in Germany which was established on Fraueninsel in the 8th century.  It did not take long to walk around the island admiring the picturesque cottages, gardens and craft work.  Flashes of lightning could be seen as we journeyed back to the “mainland” at Prien and it started to rain heavily as we reached the car.