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The Jewels of Marie-Josèphe
Marie-Josèphe of Saxony entered Versailles as the second wife of Louis Ferdinand and as such immediately commanded a special position as Dauphine. Despite giving birth to no less than three kings her...
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House of Coligny
The Coligny-family could trace its roots back to 863 and had their origins in Bresse. Since their nobility stretched quite a way back it is no wonder that they should already be established nobility...
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The Sneaking Death: Gangrene
Gangrene causes tissue to decay most commonly due to issues with the blood supply or diabetes. Usually, when a limb is gangrened it becomes blue, purple or black. The most famous sufferer of gangrene...
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The Domino
The domino - not the effect, mind you - was connected to the mysterious masquerades of the 18th century. Incidentally, it refers to both a mask and a cloak. The mask covers half the face and has...
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House of Montmorency
Dating back to the tenth century the House of Montmorency has had a finger in every part of the French elite: the court, the army, the clergy etc. This was a family with a lot of cadet branches - by...
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The Shirt
The white shirt was a necessary part of every man's wardrobe. This was one particular piece of clothing that did not discriminate according to rank. All shirts were cut in the exact same manner. Unlike...
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Gardens of Versailles
Louis XIV employed André le Nôtre as his royal gardener in 1661 and the work began immediately - it would be 40 years before they were complete. Le Nôtre was assisted by the men who created the palace:...
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Louis Ferdinand de Bourbon
Louis Ferdinand was born on 4 September 1729 to the extreme joy of both his parents and his country. As the longed-for son and heir he was destined to a life in the centre of court life. For fear of...
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Robe à la Française
This absolutely gorgeous gown was sewn in 1765 of blue silk with gold trimmings. Flowers have been hand-embroidered with golden thread - notice that both skirt and petticoat are of the same fabric....
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Portrait Gallery: Madame de Montespan
As "Iris" by Louis Elle theYoungerMadame de MontespanWith her children by Louisca. 16601694By Pierre MignardMontespan lifted by theGracesWith her children by Louis byPierre MignardDrawing in...
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Portrait Gallery: Louis Ferdinand de Bourbon
By Nivelon Anne BaptisteBy Jean Marc NattierBy AubertBy Jean DaulléBy Alexandre Roslin1764By Maurice Quentin de LaTour1760 by Jean-Martial FrédouAs an infant on his mother's lapBy Louis TocqueAfter...
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Mesdames Tantes' Ladies
The daughters of Louis XV were numerous and each had their own households. As is rather obvious Madame Adélaide was the favourite daughter of Louis XV - consequently, the ladies appointed to her...
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Baroque and rococo were the dominating styles of the Versailles-era. Both are characteristic by their sheer opulence and extravagance which is clearly seen in the objects left behind.I have been trying...
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Court Artefacts: Gambling Items
Gambling remained one of the foremost pleasures of court life throughout the reigns of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. Everyone participated - even the religious Marie-Thérèse and the pious Marie Leszczynska...
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Court Artefacts: Clothing, Shoes & Fabrics
The extravagant fashions of the ancient regime is one of the first things that comes to mind when one thinks of Versailles. Sadly, the majority of the royal family's lavish wardrobes were destroyed...
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Court Artefacts; Toilette Item
Although personal hygiene was not the same as it is today the toilette was nonetheless vital; it became a status symbol and a ceremony in itself.Washing bowl belonging to Françoise-Marie de Blois,...
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Portrait Gallery: Louis, Duc de Bourgogne
By Rigaud HyacintheBy Joseph VivienAs a childEngravingBy Jospeh VivienIn armour As a childAt VersaillewEngravingMiniatureAfter de TroyBy Jean-Marie RibouAs DauphinFrom the portrait of theGrand...
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Portrait Gallery: Philippe, Duc d'Orléans
By Pierre MignardBy Michel CorneilleBy Pierre Mignard1660By Jacob GoleBy WernerAs a childBy Pierre MignardAs an infantIn golden armour! By MignardBy Jean NocretAs a teenagerIn his robes as a...
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Court Artefacts: Perfume Burners & Pot Pourri
With a comparatively poor sense of hygiene it is no wonder that Versailles during Louis XIV became known as "the perfumed court". However, even when hygiene became better the taste for perfume did not...
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Court Artefacts: Books
Most members of the aristocracy had libraries of their own and their books were recognizable by the owner's coat-of-arms.Printed in 1658 this version of Julius Caesar's military campaigns belonged to...
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