Le Petit Trianon

Welcome to the Puh-tee Tree-ah-nohn, an architectural masterpiece that represents the height of French Neoclassicism. As you stand before this elegant, cuboid chateau, you are looking at a building that was, in many ways, the…

We begin in the Cour d’Honneur, or Honor Courtyard. This space, framed by walls that cleverly conceal service passages, gives the chateau the air of a private townhouse rather than a royal palace. …

As we enter the Grand Vestibule, notice the sobriety of the decor. The interiors are bright, with white stone and minimal gilding, allowing the architectural proportions to take center stage. …

We have reached the first floor, starting in the Grand Dining Room. This room could accommodate up to fifty guests and is dedicated to the theme of nature. …

The Salon des Glaces, or Company Salon, is the main reception room on this floor. It features large windows that open directly onto the French gardens, a design made possible because the chateau is built on a slope. …

We now enter the Queen's Bedroom, the most personal space in the chateau. Marie Antoinette took over this room from Madame doo Bah-ree and completely redesigned it to her own tastes. …

Hidden within the gardens, a short walk from the chateau, lies the Queen's Theatre, one of the 'best-kept secrets' of Vair-sigh. Commissioned to Ree-shar Meek and inaugurated in 1780, it was built quickly and relatively cheaply…

As we leave the Puh-tee Tree-ah-nohn, we reflect on its transition from a private home to a national monument. After the Revolution, the chateau served briefly as an inn before being restored by Napoleon for his sister Pauline…