A tribute to Louis XV at Versailles

The current exhibition at Château de Versailles devoted to Louis XV, the only King to be born and to die at the château, reveals a version of Versailles which is less majestic than Louis XIV’s and less dramatic than Louis XVI’s. As simply Louis XIV’s great grandson and Duc d’Anjou at birth, he was not destined for the throne, until a series of royal deaths suddenly put him in first place and he became king at the age of 5!

The unexpected destiny may explain his overall melancholy and preference for privacy, which he liked to share with a circle of friends and favourites in his private apartments. He was however a man of the times, the Age of Enlightenment in fact, and was fascinated by science, which greatly advanced during his reign. The exhibition starts with the presentation of the surprising Passemant astronomical clock, the only clock showing the date, time, moon phases and planetary motion in the world. The admirable golden bronze casing made by the Caffieri brothers is exemplary of the rococo style developing at the 18th century French court. A microscope, also designed by Passemant, confirms the King’s infatuation for everything relating to innovation and science. He loved books, sought out the company of scholars, and his time spent with astronomer Cassini led him to have the largest existing telescope installed at Château de la Muette.

He greatly enjoyed botany and named hunting as one of his more physical favourite hobbies – illustrated by the numerous and quite varied hunting scenes decorating his galleries and private rooms. Louis was also a builder and was constantly having various royal residences extended, as well as promoting the development of royal squares with Ange-Jacques Gabriel, his head architect. The generous exhibition ends with decorative works made by the best cabinet makers and bronze workers of the era, revealing how the rococo style encouraged by Madame de Pompadour spread with stunning virtuosity and will be forever linked to Louis XV’s reign.  

For those who wish to see more, Madame du Barry’s apartments have recently undergone full restoration and are now open to the public. 

We suggest extending your time on-site at the château’s opera house – also built during Louis XV’s reign – or dining at Ore, the modern café-restaurant set up by Alain Ducasse on the first floor of the Pavillon Dufour inside the château. We also highly recommend the ticket formula including breakfast fit for a king + entry to the château!