A wonderful subject for me as lived in the city of Versailles by the Notre Dame Church for 9+ years before moving on to the Morbihan breton. Versailles will always be in our hearts, it was our first owned home in France! Go ahead and see the City ,but do not miss the palace/museum for anything as the Domaine of Versailles is awesome ! I found me newer pictures in mycd rom vault of my last trip there and they should be in my blog for you and me, Therefore, let me tell you about the appartement de madame du Barry of the Château de Versailles !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The appartement de madame du Barry or Madame du Barry’s apartment is a set of thirteen rooms located on the second floor of the central part of the Palace of Versailles. These rooms were essentially the living space of Jeanne Bécu, also known as Mademoiselle Vaubernier, later known as Madame Du Barry, born on August 19, 1743, at the Château de Vaucouleurs, in Lorraine. She was a favorite of Louis XV from 1769 to 1774. The apartment is located on the second floor, in the attic, and is accessed by the Petit Dégré du Roi, a staircase that leads directly, one floor below, to the King’s private apartment. This apartment overlooks the cour de Marbre or Marble courtyard, and the balcony of the King’s official bedroom. Madame Du Barry’s apartment is located just above the Petit Appartement du Roi. Louis XVI is said to have added a gate to the King’s small staircase, between his apartments and those of the Countess Du Barry who no longer lived there, to close off access.
The grand cabinet (see pic) or the large study leads to the bedroom, but also to the dining room. This room, as well as the following antechamber and bathroom, open directly onto the Cour des Cerfs. From the bedroom and the dining room, one can access the chair room and the maid’s watch room. A door, to the right of the fireplace, provides access to the Great Library , located above the Council Chamber, which had a very high ceiling. One can still see the empty library, which housed many books. The antechamber to the baths, with very fine woodwork in pink Martin varnish, gives access to the spacious bathroom, which was annexed to this apartment in 1772 by the Countess Du Barry. This bathroom opens onto the Countess’s wardrobe, which runs along the Cour des Cerfs, which itself communicates with a semicircular staircase. The apartment is extended by three adjoining rooms: The corner study, which was previously the King’s study and then his dining room in 1756 and 1767, and the bedroom of Madame Du Barry from 1769 to 1772. The second room is called the large study. A bust on the fireplace and a painting representing Louis XV can currently be seen there. The third, the bedroom, is located exactly above the (private) bedroom of Louis XV. It still has a bed today, a replica of the original.
Before housing the relations of Louis XV and Madame du Barry, the apartment housed the galerie des Chasses exotiques du roi or the king’s exotic hunts gallery, where the latter gave private suppers. The library was formerly connected to the apartment of Madame Adélaide, the King’s daughter, who lived on the first floor. The apartment was then briefly occupied by Marie-Josèphe de Saxe, the King’s daughter-in-law and widow of Louis de France, who died there in 1767. The apartment was partially occupied before her by Madame de Mailly, by the King, and by the Duke of Villequier. The Countess arrived at the château in 1769 and left in May 1774, upon the death of Louis XV.
The Madame Du Barry’s apartment covers almost 350 m² and has around ten rooms, some of which are sumptuously decorated and have just been restored. The restoration of Madame Du Barry’s apartment began in spring 2021 and lasted until September 2022. From October 22, 2022, Madame Du Barry’s apartment was reopen to the public, for guided tours, The reason of my last trip to the Château de Versailles or Palace of Versailles.
The Château de Versailles on the appartement de Madame du Barry : https://www.chateauversailles.fr/decouvrir/domaine/chateau/appartement-madame-barry
There you go folks, a magnificent palace that all should see in your lifetime at least once, The history of France is here,and the architecture not the least , a masterpiece for the whole world to see. We shall be back eventually to my former City of glorious memories for my family, Again, hope you enjoy the post on the appartement de madame du Barry of the Château de Versailles !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 