Wigs, gowns, costumes and chandeliers authentically represented the entire Baroque atmosphere, as 750 individuals breathed life into Versailles on Monday, May 22, during the Fêtes Galantes. This glamorous event annually beckons history enthusiasts of Versailles, serving as a time-traveling portal.
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The Château de Versailles, a testament to Louis XIV’s unmatched grandeur, continues to celebrate its French national heritage to this day. It is in this spirit that the Fêtes Galantes event takes place annually. Adorned with accessories and costumes, visitors passionate about culture and heritage flock to this enchanting setting, ready to immerse themselves in pure delight.
The fascination of Versailles dates back to the reign of Louis XIV. Undoubtedly, the relationship between the king and Versailles is an everlasting love affair. For long a small hunting lodge, Versailles was developed by Louis XIII, following in the footsteps of his father Henri IV, to serve as a place indelibly intertwined with Louis XIV. His father, Louis XIII, had first sent him to Versailles in 1641, along with his brother, to escape the smallpox epidemic. He was only three years old at the time, but he regularly returned there along with his mother Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin for hunting escapades. He developed a passion for this place and embarked on significant renovations in 1661. The estate consequently turned into his primary residence. As a result, it became the central stage for the king’s political and recreational pursuits, as glorious ceremonies and lavish celebrations were held there. The king’s passion for Versailles led him to add several wings to his castle. This national monument, built as a symbol of France, will forever be linked to him. In half a century, the Sun King transformed the place into a legend that transcends time. Today, the castle welcomes tourists from all corners of the globe.
In powdered wigs, feathered tricornes, and embroidered gowns, approximately 750 people recently graced Versailles for the Fêtes Galantes, the annual gathering awaited by history buffs and Baroque costume enthusiasts. In the court of honor, participants paraded in vibrant costumes, a glass of champagne in hand, to the sound of trumpets. “The pleasure lies in donning the appropriate attire in the fitting setting,” explains Bruno Martinon, a retiree, sporting an “opera costume” in turquoise velvet that took “eight months of work” and a feathered headpiece some 40 centimeters tall. Entrance tickets for the evening ranged from 170 to 595 euros.
In the Galerie des glaces, couples twirled, mimicking the steps dictated by an instructor wearing a wig, while a sacred music concert resonated in the royal chapel. In the throne room, participants queued to strike a pose on a large red upholstered chair. Dressed in a long pale pink gown, Victoria Smith, a 62-year-old lawyer, had traveled from Kansas City, United States, especially for the event. Anne-Charlotte Punsano, an employee at the château’s ticket office, had commissioned a professional costumier to replicate “exactly or nearly so” an almond-green dress she had spotted in a portrait of the Marquise de Pompadour, a favorite of Louis XV. “I’m transported back in time. It’s an expense, but to me, the magic is worth it,” asserts this 38-year-old resident of Versailles, with powdered hair.
Marie-Christine Tayah with AFP.
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