Moving about in my road warrior mode I have come into a real find in my memorable Château de Versailles of many nice memories ,see my other posts on it, This is in my former Yvelines dept 78 of the Île de France region ,and my belle France. I have found me more pictures in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, Therefore, here is my take on the Royal Tables , the anteroom of the Grand Couvert of the Château de Versailles !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Antechamber of the Grand Couvert is a state room within the Queen’s Grand Apartment at the Palace of Versailles. It is the first antechamber of the apartment and is accessed by the Salon des Nobles and the Salle des Gardes. Originally the Guards’ Room of Queen Marie-Thérèse, it became the first antechamber of the Queen’s Apartment, known as the Antechamber of the Grand Couvert, due to its use by the King and Queen during public suppers. Louis XIV dined there every evening with the Queen and the royal family. After the death of Queen Marie-Thérèse in 1683, the sovereign’s apartment was given to the Dauphine, Marie-Anne of Bavaria, and the King continued to dine with his daughter-in-law. After her death in 1690, he preferred to dine in his own apartment, in his first antechamber. During the reign of Louis XV, the Grand Couvert ceremony was once again held in the queen’s apartment. Towards the end of the Ancien Régime (absolute monarchy), Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette only dined at the Grand Couvert on Sundays and holidays.
The room initially featured a central ceiling dedicated to Mars: south vault ;Clelia fleeing with her companions, by Paillet; Harpalice freeing her father, by Vignon. north vault: Artemisia fighting the Greeks at the Battle of Salamis, by Paillet; Zenobia fighting against Emperor Aurelian, by Paillet. west vault : Rodogune swearing to avenge the death of her husband, by Vignon. east vault: Hypsicrates following his husband Mithridates to war, by Paillet. Two gold monochrome panels frame the central compartment and depict chained slaves, allegories of the Holy Roman Empire and Turkey ,and of Spain and Holland . Two tondi are also placed in the center of the north and south arches: To the north: Fury and War before the Temple of Janus, by Paillet. To the south: Bellona, goddess of war, burns Cybele’s face with a torch and drives Cupid back to the heavens, by Vignon. The central ceiling panel by Claude-François Vignon, badly damaged, was destroyed in 1814. It was then replaced by a painting by Paolo Veronese of Saint Mark Crowning the Theological Virtues, a war prize taken from the Doge’s Palace in Venice during the French conquest of 1797 (now in the Louvre). In 1861, the Veronese was replaced by a tapestry cartoon by Henri Testelin after The Family of Darius at the Feet of Alexander painted by Charles Le Brun in 1661. Four overdoors complete the decoration, made by Madeleine Boullogne in 1673, they represent war trophies. The above for ease of translation taken from wikipedia,
At the Petit Couvert, Louis XIV dined alone. This meal took place out of sight of the court, in the sovereign’s private apartments. The setting changed, as did the atmosphere, but the meal remained subject to a precise protocol. Etiquette was never entirely abandoned at Versailles. The maître d’hôtel still supervised the service. The place settings were brought, the dishes tasted, and the stewards performed their duties with the same rigor, but without the theatricality of the Grand Couvert. The service was conducted in the French style, at a more relaxed pace. Silence was no longer absolute, and time was less constrained. At the end of the Ancien Régime (absolute monarchy), the Grand Couvert was no longer held daily. It survived only on Sundays and holidays, while the Petit Couvert became the norm. The dining room established itself as a separate room, equipped with a permanent table, and the ceremonial became more flexible, without ever disappearing completely.
The word “couvert” dates back to the Middle Ages. At a time when poisoning was a very real fear, dishes and drinks intended for princes were served “à couvert,” that is, protected by lids. The term eventually came to refer to the tableware used, and then to the meal itself.
At the court of Versailles, etiquette dictated that the King invite the Queen, his children, and grandchildren. However, at the Petit Couvert, he dined alone. Unlike his successors, Louis XIV adhered to this ritual daily. Towards the end of the Ancien Régime, the Grand Couvert was held only on holidays and Sundays. At 22h, supper at the Grand Couvert took place in the antechamber of the King or Queen, depending on the period. A table was set, and the King’s armchair was placed. Folding chairs for the guests were arranged along the sides of the table. Only a few titled ladies sat in the front row. Behind them stood the other courtiers and curious onlookers. The numerous dishes were brought in successive waves called “services.” With each wave, a new procession of officers of the King’s household arranged the gold, silver, or vermeil platters. The finest silversmiths strive to invent new shapes that retain heat better. The glasses, quite ordinary, are only brought out upon request. In less than an hour, the meal is over. French-style service requires a large staff of servants who are constantly present, including for serving drinks.
The Château de Versailles on the Royal Tables : https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/history/key-dates/royal-tables
The Château de Versailles on the King’s apartments : https://en.chateauversailles.fr/discover/estate/kings-apartments
There you go folks, a lovely palace/museum indeed , and with plenty of architecture and history I like. The City will never be forgotten from my mind, sublime, tops and glad to find these gems to share with the world ; Versailles is it. And a must visit to the sublime Château de Versailles . Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Royal Tables , the anteroom of the Grand Couvert of the Château de Versailles !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 