This is in my beloved former home of Versailles. Needless, to say more about this wonderful royal town of my belle France, just read the monuments that have proven essential in the history of France. I have written on the royal stables but needed to take the small out for a post of its own, worth it me think, Therefore ; let me tell you about the Petite Ecurie of Versailles !!!
The Petite Écurie is a monument located on Place d’Armes, opposite the palace/museum, between Avenue de Paris and Avenue de Sceaux. From 1683 to 1685, La Maréchalerie was built behind the Petite Écurie. This establishment completes the activities of two stables. It replaced the modest King’s stable, which then became the Queen’s stable. From 1935 to 1939, it was the barracks of the Air Force School, with Air Base 134 Versailles. Since 1969, it has housed the National School of Architecture of Versailles. Between 1970 and 1973, a gypsotheque, a collection of castings after the Antique from the Louve museum began to settle there. Since 1999, it has also housed the restoration workshops of the research and restoration center of the museums of France. In 2004, La Maréchalerie became a contemporary art center of the National School of Architecture of Versailles. It organizes several exhibitions a year.
The buildings are organized around five courtyards: the Great Court bordered by a semicircular colonnade and two symmetrical wings, the two middle courtyards framed at the rear, the two small side yards called “manure yards”, In the left wing, which gives side avenue de Paris there are the restoration workshops of the Ministry of Culture. In the right wing on the avenue de Sceaux side, there is the School of Architecture of Versailles.
The gallery of sculptures and moldings (gypsotheque) located in the Petite Ecurie of the Palace of Versailles. These spaces are open free of charge, every Saturday and Sunday, from 12h30 to 18h30. The collection of casts from the Louvre, that of the School of Fine Arts and that of the Institute of Art and Archeology which depends on the Sorbonne. There are very old pieces there which attest to Louis XIV’s taste for the antique. Since 2012, the Petite Ecurie has presented to the public a gypsothèque containing a collection of about 5000 sculptures and casts according to the ancient times, especially Roman, since it was only in the 18C that archaeologists were interested in an advanced way to Greece. Under the direction of Louis XIV, Jean-Baptiste Colbert had indeed imposed on the residents of the Académie de France in Rome to copy old pieces so that they would serve as inspiration to the sculptors of Versailles. The gypsothéque on the château de Versailles webpage :https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/small-stables/sculptures-and-mouldings-gallery
The Petite Ecurie constituting with the Grande Ecurie (see post) the royal stables and completed in 1681. It now houses the National Higher School of Architecture of Versailles. Identical to the Grande Ecurie, under the former regime (monarchy) , it was under the orders of the first squire. The Petite Ecurie has the care of ordinary mounts, hitch horses and wagons as well as fancy vehicles, sleighs of gondolas. From 1683 to 1685, the blacksmith was built behind the small stable. This property complements the activities of two stables.. In 2004, the La Maréchalerie (blacksmiting) became a center of contemporary art at the National Higher School of Architecture of Versailles. It organizes several exhibitions a year. In 1787, to make economies, the activities of the Petite Ecurie were abolished and attached to the Grande Ecurie. From 1935 to 1939, it was the barracks of the Air school, with the air Base 134 Versailles. Since 1969, it has been home to the National Higher School of Architecture of Versailles. Since 1999, it also houses the restoration workshops of the Center for Research and Restoration of the museums of France. The later is under renovation until 2025 with reduce hours and activities in Versailles.
The National Higher School of Architecture on the Maréchalerie: https://www.versailles.archi.fr/fr/la-marechalerie-centre-dart-contemporain/presentation-de-la-marechalerie
The Center for Research and Restoration of the museums of France ,see Versailles: https://c2rmf.fr/informations-pratiques
Inside the Petite Ecurie, you have the huge gallery or Vestibule des sculptures des Fontaines du Labyrinthe, keeping the sculptures from the 17C, 39 fountains, with 333 animals designs from the bosquet du laberinthe dating 1660-1677/ You have the history of the stories of Charles Perrault and Jean de La Fontaine, dedicated to the Grand Dauphin, Mme de Montespan, and the Duke of Burgundy (grandson of Louis XIV). Charles Perrault brings them to Versailles, as de La Fontaine was not favored due to his support for Nicolas Fouquet. A wonderful place to be !!
The official Château de Versailles on the Petite Ecurie :https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/small-stables
There you go folks, another fascinating monument in my dear beautiful Versailles , you ought to spent more time here. This is part of the history of France and Europe, you must visit the Petite Ecurie of Versailles ; my royal and imperial City of my belle France!!! Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
Leave a Reply