Un Chateau de Plaisance

The Petit Trianon was gifted to Marie Antoinette by her husband, King Louis XVI in 1774. Marie Antoinette was promised in marriage to Louis when she was 10 and he was 12 years old. The marriage was a political one to form an alliance between Austria and France. This smaller palace allowed Marie Antoinette and her children a place to escape the pressure of life in Versailles during the day, but they returned to the main plaace at the end of the day. The palace is grand , but on a much, much smaller scale with sitting rooms, a music room, a nursery, and bedroom for nappping. On the ground level is the reception hall, the kitchen and servants quarters. This felt more like a home and as we walked through it, this stunningly beautiful portrait of Marie Antoinette hung over a fireplace at the front of the home. The portrait artist was Elizabeth Vegee Le Brun (1755-1842).

Delightful gravel paths lead through natural pastoral gardens winding among ponds, meadows, and follies to The Hamlett. More about this charming get away next time!