Queen of France, the lovable Marie Antoinette was the wife of King Louis XVI and was an Austrian princess. She remains one of the iconic characters in Versailles’ rich history as well as in fashion history. The Queen herself was devoted a lot of time to fashion, much to she was often known to interfere in the choice of her dresses or hairstyles.

Marie Antoinette was born in Vienna on 2 November 1755 and came to the court at quite an early age with her marriage was celebrated in the Royal Chapel at Versailles. In the eyes of the public, the couple symbolised the promise of a new reign. Marie Antoinette became queen when she was not yet twenty years old after the passing of the King.

She had a hard time adapting to Versailles’ complex etiquette and tried to seek out a more private life. In Versailles, the Queen had a series of small rooms beyond her apartments which were reserved for her personal use and for service by her ladies-in-waiting — ‘petit appartement de la reine’. Surrounded by a circle of friends whom she had chosen herself, she preferred to remain in her Private Chambers located behind her State Apartments and which she hoped to extend into the floor above, and in the Petit Trianon built by Louis XV and given to her as a gift by Louis XVI on his accession. The rooms were decorated with great care and were modified several times throughout the 18th century in accordance with the changes in tastes and requirements of their occupant. Here Marie Antoinette acquired a Billiard Room and a miniature summer apartment which opened on the Marble Courtyard and contained a bedchamber, library and bathroom.

State Apartment’s room were actually built for Sun King Louis XVI’s wife, Queen Maria Theresa (1660-1683), with King Louis XV’s Queen Consort Marie Leszczyńska (1703-1768) subsequently living there until her death. But Marie Antoinette has always been the famous resident. 

Here are the rooms in Marie Antoinette’s Private Chambers.

The Gilded Room

The room was built in 1735 for Marie Leszczyńka and was modified several times by the Marie Antoinette (carried out for the Queen by Richard Mique). The current appearance dates from last series of changes was made in a more contemporary look of wood panelling with decoration from antiquity.

 

The Méridienne Room

The name Méridienne was taken as the Queen often came here to rest at midday. The room was made with irregular walls and definitive wooden panelling decoration was added after she had given birth to the Dauphin. The motifs were carved with allegorical references celebrate the young prince, the royal couple and the couple’s love (garlands of roses, bows and arrows).

 

The Library

Marie Antoinette had a large collection of books that were kept in the Bibliothèque. The room was filled with cupboards with glass doors, which the shelves could easily be adjusted in height.

The Billiard Room

On the second floor, the Queen had other rooms at her disposition, one was the Billiard Room. It has silk furnishings.