Le Versailles de Marie-Antoinette

by Cécile Berly

Adulée ou détestée, Marie-Antoinette continue de fasciner. Seule reine qui ait véritablement régné à Versailles, elle en connut les contraintes, l'ennui, le luxe, les plaisirs, les scandales et les premiers remous de la Révolution. De son arrivée au château comme dauphine en mai 1770, à son départ forcé en octobre 1789, la souveraine façonna un Versailles à son image. Sensible à la mode et au préromantisme ambiant, mais aussi dépensière à l'extrême, elle inventa un art de vivre à la fois intime et somptueux en faisant appel aux plus grands artistes de son temps. Des Grands Appartements aux cabinets intérieurs du palais, du Petit Trianon au Hameau, l'historienne Cécile Berly nous emmène sur les traces de Marie-Antoinette et nous raconte les lieux et l'histoire de la dernière reine de France à Versailles.

Genres: History, France, Art, Nonfiction, 18th Century

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Giorgia Penzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le Versailles de Marie Antoinette di Cécile Berly è un saggio ricco di illustrazioni e aneddoti, perfetto per chi vuole avere un assaggio dei tanti luoghi toccati dall'ultima regina di Francia. Nessuna fotografia o descrizione - per quanto bella o accurata - potrà mai rendere l'idea della suggestione e della storia che si respira alla Reggia di Versailles, uno dei luoghi che più amo al mondo (e da dove viene questa copia in lingua inglese). Di sicuro però potranno ispirarvi, farvi sognare. E forse convincervi a passare un pomeriggio dove la reine e le sue dame, anche se invisibili, sono più presenti che mai.

[Beverly Diehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming short (112 pages) overview of Marie Antoinette's life at Versailles, and the associated estates of the Petit Trianon and her Hamlet. Nothing compares with seeing these rooms, gardens and portraits in person (and I was lucky enough to do so, earlier this month!), but it gives some wonderful added background detail.

There is a nice blend of photos, drawings, and text, without there being too much of any of the above. It's also interesting to see how things are described; the bed coverings, chairs, and wall hangings in the Queen's Bedchamber are described as having an "ears of wheat" pattern; silly me, I saw only the roses and lilies of the valley.

Fun to read and look at after a visit; would have also been interesting to read before a visit.

[Rachel Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book in the Versailles gift shop a couple years ago. This book is well written and not at all dry, with poignant, interesting facts about Marie Antoinette and her contemporaries. The photographs are sumptuous. I love to flip through and look at details I didn't notice while walking through. Highly recommend this book.

[Madame Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT.

[marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

picture of kirsten dunst's marie antoinette on the very last page is so real

[Noëmie N · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Trop) petit livre mais dense.
De nombreuses photos afin de découvrir les secrets de certains endroits du château et autres parties du domaine.
De nombreuses explications, peu détaillées mais suffisantes pour se remémorer les détails de la vie de MA.
Livre court simple et rapide à lire, que j'ai beaucoup apprécié.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this at Versailles, only just read it now that I'm at home. It's been over a month since I was at the palace, and this book (and the lovely photographs) really brought me back. It is probably one of the best souvenir books I bought while I was abroad.