versailles | A French Collection

King’s Garden at Versailles – Le Potager du Roi

King’s Garden at Versailles (Le Potager du Roi)

Did you know that amongst the grand châteaux, immaculate flowering gardens and hedge labyrinths, Versailles boosts one of the most impressive vegetable gardens in the world - the King's Garden or le Potager du Roi?

Now a classified historical monument, the King's Garden is an incredible place to visit. As you can imagine the scale of the King's Garden is in keeping with the sheer majesty of Versailles. It is just over 23 acres with 28 small gardens on the periphery and a large square made up of 16 square vegetable gardens surrounding a central fountain. It’s also where you’ll find one of the only original golden gates to survive the French Revolution.

14 Facts You Didn’t Know About Marie Antoinette

14 Facts You Didn't Know About Marie Antoinette

What do you know about Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France (1755-1793) and Versailles? Here's 14 facts you may not know about this iconic French Queen who started a new life in France with youth and enthusiasm and ended up living in one of the most tumultuous periods of history.

Described by her brother, Emperor Joseph II, as “honest and lovable,” Marie Antoinette was an Austrian princess and the wife of King Louis XVI. She remains one of the most iconic characters in Versailles’ rich history. She arrived at the French Court aged only fifteen. From the time of her marriage to the Dauphin Louis, heir to the throne, she found it difficult to adapt to French customs and when she became Queen, she committed more and more blunders, often unwittingly, which gradually alienated public opinion, helping to tarnish her image in a most disastrous way. - Chateau of Versailles official website

Marie Antoinette Estate and Queen’s Hamlet, Versailles – A Visitor’s Guide

Marie Antoinette Estate and Queen's Hamlet at Versailles

Marie Antoinette is the only queen who imposed her personal tastes on Versailles and the Trianon Estate, which her husband Louis XVI gave to her in 1774. She escaped the rigours of court etiquette in her private Petite Trianon and its surrounding gardens, theatre and in her own fairytale hamlet, where no one could enter without her personal invitation.

Wishing for a simpler life away from the pomp and political turmoil of the times she escaped to the Trianon Estate, which while only a thirty minute or so walk away from the palace, was worlds away in terms of appearance and ambiance. This Estate is truly my favourite area of Versailles and is always much less populated by the massive crowds that visit Chateau Versailles. Sometimes you have the paths around the gardens almost to yourself, and it doesn't take much imagination to understand why the young queen loved her Estate so much.

Nina’s Marie Antoinette Tea Salon, Paris

Nina's Marie Antoinette Tea Salon in Paris

Nina's Marie Antoinette French tea salon has been offering the original tea of Marie Antoinette since 1672 and for anyone who loves their cup of tea, with or without cake or is enthralled with the life of Marie Antoinette will love Nina's Marie Antoinette Salon.

The Salon is located in central Paris at Place Vendrôme, in the 1st arrondissement and it is truely a delicate place with its golden gilt decorations, creme décor and pretty china teapots and cups.

Palace of Versailles in Canberra

Versailles Palace, France

Palace of Versailles

Can you describe the Palace of Versailles in ten words or less… golden, decadent, sumptuous, grand, extravagant, ordered, beautiful, breathtaking, majestic and intricate? Are these any of the words you would have chosen to describe what started out as a king’s hunting lodge, became the seat of power and is now a museum of French history?

Chateau Versailles was a world of golden decadence exhibiting the latest in building techniques and materials, fabric and furniture production and extending the known boundaries of landscaping and horticulture. Versailles showcased France’s wealth and importance to the world at the time.

Annette Charlton

Annette lives with her family between their homes in France and Australia. She’s been featured in International magazines including French Property News, on numerous blogs and travel websites and appeared on ABC National Radio. You can connect on Instagram or Facebook.

www.afrenchcollection.com

Château Versailles – A Guide to the Best Things to See

Château de Versailles

Château de Versailles – A Brief History and What to See

Versailles will remain in the forefront of my memory as one of my favourite places. When you have travelled extensively, sometimes locations, activities, and even the people you met can blur. Whilst I must admit I have forgotten some of the cities I have visited, other places are intimately remembered with even smells and textures hard-wired into my memory. Why is this?

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Annette Charlton

www.afrenchcollection.com

Fireworks At Versailles

Fireworks At Versailles – Tercentenary Celebration of Louis XIV

‘Louis XIV, The Fire King’ is a fireworks spectacular taking place at the Palace of Versailles on the outskirts of Paris, France celebrating the tercentenary of Louis XIV’s death. Louis XIV was also known as the Sun King during his reign.

The Fireworks show is one of a surprising number of different tours, exhibitions and performances held in the Palace of Versailles, the Gardens and associated buildings through out the year.

Annette Charlton

www.afrenchcollection.com

The Gardener of Versailles: Book Review

Versailles garden

The Gardener of Versailles: Book Review

Have you been wondering whether The Gardener of Versailles is the next book to join your library? Well, I’ve finished it at last and loved it and if you are interested in history, gardens, France or enjoy and appreciate reading about other people’s life achievements, you’ll love it too.

Alain Baraton’s insider view and personal recount as head gardener of the garden of Versailles just outside of Paris reveals a different side of this World Heritage listed site.

Charming … Mr Baraton is delightful when describing his daily routines – he talks to his trees and has pet names for many of them – Wall Street Journal

Simply but thoroughly, the author narrates the history of Versailles. He writes poetically about the beautiful power of the grounds he tends. The descriptions of the various sites on the grounds could only come from a man fortunate enough to have lived on and loved the site for almost 40 years – Kirkus Reviews

Annette Charlton