The Perfect Petit Trianon
This picturesque little oasis was a romantic getaway for yet another French king and his mistress - this time Louis XV and the Comtesse Du Barry. Completed in 1768, it was given as a gift to Marie-Antoinette by Louis XVI and became her favourite place to escape from life at court.
This is one of my favourite places in the Versailles grounds - it has such a calm, peaceful air to it. There are so many beautiful flowers in the formal gardens and it includes The Queen’s Theatre, hidden away in a quiet corner.
Marie-Antoinette’s influence is evident all over the building, from a bust (above), to a portrait of her proudly hanging in one of the Petit Trianon’s rooms (below). There is also traditional clothing on display.
The rooms are far more informal in decor than the other official residences in the palace grounds. Marie-Antoinette’s bedroom (below) is a fine example of this.
The Temple of Love (below) proudly provides a romantic backdrop in the Petit Trianon gardens (also handy rain cover, should you need it).
This was built between 1786 and 1786 in a rustic design, which was fashionable at the time. It boasts a working farm, complete with all manner of animals, from goats to donkeys, and is a quaint, peaceful idyll on the edge of the palace estate.
A short five-minute walk from the Temple of Love, it is only accessible via the Petit Trianon gardens. But it is well worth taking the time to explore.
The Marlborough Tower (above) is just one of the highlights of this beautiful little oasis.
A fabulous little farm houses goats (below) and chickens, among other animals. This must have been the perfect little hideaway from the pressures of royal life.
Don’t miss next week’s blog about the Royal Stables.
