Versailles - Part 3 - November 25, 08

The Grant Trianon and the Petit Trianon are more beautiful than the Chateau, or so I think! The Grand Trianon was erected in 1687-88 by the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart to provide Louix XIV with a retreat at the far end of the park at Versailles, far from the constraints of power and the crowd of courtiers. It could be reached by boat along the Grand Canal, and it replaced a "pavillon d'agrement" used to take refreshments, which had been built on the same spot by Louis Le Vau in 1670. As it was then covered with blue and white porcelain, it was called the Porcelain Trainon.

The building with it's Italianate architecture has merely a ground floor, covered with a flat roof hidden by a balustrade. Pink Languedoc marble pilasters punctuate the facades. The Palace consists of two wings joined together by a peristyle adorned with columns through which one can catch a glimpse of the ornaments and flower gardens.

The Petit Trianon marks the start of the Neo-Classical style. The grand floor is organised around a central vestibule and a staircase of honor. Originally, this was divided into a billiard room, a guardroom, a warming room, and other services rooms. The first floor comprises and anti chamber, a large dining room, a small dining room, a living room, a boudoir or cabinet "of glass", and the queens room. The mezzanine is made of an anti chamber, a sleeping room, and a cabinet. Finally the second floor is grouped into three main rooms and five other apartments or "master" rooms. The Petit Trianon is also known as Marie Antoinette's estate. It's outside is of pink marble. Simply beautiful. It was built in 1762 as a retreat for Louis XV. This small chateau because a favorite of Marie Antoinette.

All these pictures are from the Petit Trianon.

Me, standing in front of the Petit Trianon. Notice the pink marble. Pretty huh!

The queen's bedroom.

Standing on the stairs heading up.

The gardens at the Petit Trianon. So pretty! Most of the trees were distroyed in a violent wind storm in 1999, some have been replanted that are similar to the oringinal ones that were distroyed.

A picture of the Petit Trianon from the gardens.