Disappointing photos show what it's like to visit Versailles during the hottest, busiest time of the year

• I visited Versailles in France in July, one of the hottest, busiest months of the year. 
• Because the summer months are tourism's high season, I expected the estate to be packed. 
• But I wasn't prepared for just how overwhelmed I'd feel navigating all the other visitors.

In July, I did something I'd long been eager to do: I visited Versailles, the sprawling, gilded estate outside of Paris. 

I'd seen it in films and on social media, where it's upheld as one of France's most beautiful places to visit. Going in, I knew it would be busy with tourists like myself, all dying to get a look at the architecture and artwork. But I wasn't prepared for just how overwhelming it would be. 

While I loved plodding around the gardens, where there's ample free space, I couldn't wait to get out of the Palace of Versailles — despite how awe-inspiring it was.

From start to finish, here's what it's like to visit Versailles.