Major events 2018

Press contacts Hélène Dalifard, Aurélie Gevrey, Violaine Solari +33 (0)1 30 83 75 21 [email protected] presse.chateauversailles.fr

4 Exhibitions p.7 “Jean Cotelle, 1646-1708” p.8 “Louis-Philippe and Versailles” p.10 contents External exhibitions p.13 New York: “Visitors to Versailles. Travellers, princes, ambassadors. 1682-1789” p.14 Arras: “. Images of the legend” p.15 Abu Dhabi: “From one to another. Opening a museum for everyone” p.16

Versailles for everyone p.19 Mondays at Versailles p.20 Artistic and cultural education: “On ne copie pas, mais...” p.21 Choreographing Versailles, 2nd season p.22 Theatre at Versailles p.23 Démos, sharing music p.24

Restoration work p.27 Reopening of the Queen’s House p.28 Exterior restoration of the Royal Chapel p.29

Palace of Versailles Shows p.31 Versailles Grandes Eaux Fountain Displays p.32 The musical season p.33 Costume evenings p.34 Summer shows at the p.35

Practical information p.37

p.1: The Gallery of Great Battles © Château de Versailles / Thomas Garnier p. 2: The Queen’s House in the Hamlet © Château de Versailles / Didier Saulnier p. 3: The Cotelle Gallery © Château de Versailles / Thomas Garnier 5 6 Exhibitions part I

7 Jean Cotelle, part I 1646-1708 12 June 2018 - 16 September 2018

“Jean Cotelle, 1646-1708” is the first exhibition to be The series is completed by three works by Jean-Baptiste devoted to this forgotten 17th-century painter who Martin and Étienne Allegrain, creating a unique set nonetheless deserves to be rediscovered. The exhibition of paintings that reveals Louis XIV’s fondness for his will present his entire career, culminating in his most gardens. illustrious work: the gallery that bears his name in In an echo to these paintings, the exhibition will also the and containing depictions of the display fourteen gouache illustrations commissioned most beautiful groves in Louis XIV’s first gardens, from the artist and showing the same scenes as the large designed by André Le Nôtre. Today, these paintings are paintings, but in miniature. It will also include lead an important source of reference for the illustration of sculptures evoking the decoration in some of the groves French formal gardens and our understanding of the that have since been lost from the among the gardens gardens at Versailles. at Versailles, like the Maze Grove and the Grove of the Over a hundred works will be on display including Domes, which has been largely destroyed. paintings, drawings, prints, miniatures and sculptures from public and private collections. Jean Cotelle, an illustrious career The exhibition will cover the artist’s entire career and Visiting the exhibition every facet of his talent. The son of a decorator and ornamentalist, Jean Cotelle probably trained under the Jean Cotelle, painter of the groves at Versailles portraitist Claude Lefèvre. After a long stay in Italy, he From 1687 onwards, the decoration of the Marble returned to the French Royal Academy of Painting and Trianon, a secluded leisure away from the Sculpture as a miniaturist. He was charged with the task Court, paved the way for a new generation of painters of illustrating the Campaigns of Louis XIV, and having who focussed on the search for ornamentation and earned a certain reputation he was solicited by Monsieur, representation of nature. One of these artists was Jean the king’s brother, around 1680 to decorate the jewellery Cotelle. His skills were much appreciated at the time and cabinet (which has since been lost) at the Château of he was appointed to carry out most of the decoration of Saint-Cloud. The artist was also one of those to receive the Trianon Gallery, comprising twenty-one paintings a commission for a May for Notre-Dame cathedral in which were probably produced between 1688 and 1691. , depicting The Marriage at Cana. In 1693, he left For this location, measuring almost 53 metres long Paris for where he became assistant director with 16 large windows positioned at regular intervals of the Opera and decorated the ceiling of the City Hall. and looking out onto the gardens, the artist opted for Thanks to his talents as a decorator he contributed to canvasses in portrait format. They depict every grove preparing the temporary decorations for the entry of the in the Gardens of Versailles with characters from Dukes of Burgundy and Anjou into Avignon. After his mythology and fables, organised into two registers return to Paris in 1703, his career appears to have been (earthly and heavenly) and modelled on the bucolic more low-key. landscapes of the Bolognese painter, Albani. Exhibition curator Béatrice Sarrazin, Head Curator at the , in charge of 17th century paintings

Scenography Scenographers, Nicolas Groult, Valentina Dodi

Exhibition catalogue Co-publication Palace of Versailles / Liénart Edited by Béatrice Sarrazin

View of the Cotelle Gallery © Château de Versailles / Jean-Marc Manaï

8 restoration of the works of art New flower planting

The 24 paintings in the Great Gallery, also known as From June to September, the gardens directorate of the Cotelle Gallery, are an invaluable testimony of the the gardens of Trianon will adorn the Grand Trianon appearance of the gardens during the reign of Louis parterres with flowers as depicted in one of Jean Cotelle’s XIV. Some of these works required urgent restoration. paintings: View of the Grand Trianon from the parterres, The operation was carried out thanks to support from with Flora and Zephyr. The parterre will be replanted multiple patrons (the Friends of Versailles Society and in close likeness to the painting using the same colour individual patrons) as part of the “Adopt a painting in palette: pink, red and white, with a bold green backdrop. the Cotelle Gallery” campaign launched in 2013. During the exhibition, the public will be able to discover these The earliest visitors to the exhibition will discover the masterpieces of 17th century painting in all their new- burgeoning flowers, and the sight of the parterres and found splendour. their colours will change continually until September as the different species come into flower. As part of the exhibition, a film will also be shown taking visitors behind the scenes of this major restoration. They will come alongside the restorers to witness the renewal of the fresh colours in the paintings, especially among the figures, and the delicacy of illustration of the groves.

Grand Trianon © Château de Versailles / Christian Milet

Restoration of View of the Grand Trianon from the parterres, with Flora and Zephyr View of the Grand Trianon from the parterres, with Flora and Zephyr. Jean Cotelle. Circa © Château de Versailles / Thomas Garnier 1688. © Château de Versailles, Dist. RMN / Jean-Marc Manaï

the palace of versailles is looking for three lost works by jean cotelle

In the late 20th century, all trace was lost of one of the painter’s drawings (The Toilette of Venus) and two gouaches (View of the Château de Choisy from the parterre side and the De Louvois family and Eliezer and Rebecca at the well), all probably now in private hands. Records of these works still remain through reproductions or publications attesting to their existence. The Palace of Versailles has decided to use social media to reach a wider audience in its search. A wanted notice has been posted on the Palace’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, via the hashtag #ExpoCotelle, in the hope of finding these missing works, which are a source of valuable information about the painter. If found, they could greatly enhance our knowledge of the work of Jean Cotelle and could be returned to their proper place in the exhibition on display in the Grand Trianon. Internet users are invited to spread the word on this appeal as widely as possible. Anyone with information about these works can contact the Palace of Versailles at: [email protected]

9 louis-philippe and part I versailles 6 October 2018 - 3 February 2019

Heir to the Orleans family, Louis-Philippe shares little history with the Versailles of the Ancien Régime. After his accession to the throne in 1830, however, he expressed an interest in the Palace and began work on transforming it into a national monument. His aim was in part to reconcile the French people, but more especially to ensure that his reign left its mark in the country’s history.

From that time on, there were two versions of Versailles existing side by side. In the central body, the royal residences with the restored and refurnished State Apartments kept their name and function. The life of the former monarchy was especially evident in the King’s ceremonial rooms, with the King’s Chambers marking the high point of the visit. Elsewhere, in the North and South wings, a great deal of work was undertaken. Louis-Philippe created Historic Galleries King Louis-Philippe and his sons leaving the Palace of Versailles by the Gate of Honour after reviewing the troops in the courtyards, 10 June 1837, , 1846, Musée from one end of the Palace to the other, punctuating the des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon visit with major iconographic collections, including the © RMN-GP (Château de Versailles) / Daniel Arnaudet Gallery of Great Battles, from Tolbiac to Wagram; the Room and the 1792 Room; Napoleon’s For the first time, the Palace of Versailles is devoting Coronation Chamber and the 1830 Room to the glory of a major exhibition to Louis-Philippe, who turned the the new monarch; and finally, the Crusades and Africa former royal residence into a museum dedicated “to all Rooms, which remained unfinished in 1848 on the fall of the glories of ”. The exhibition will recall this the . decisive moment in the history of Versailles, which from then on served a whole new purpose. It will also highlight the King’s direct involvement in the project, his love of history and his desire to provide a backdrop to France’s national history.

The exhibition will be held in the Africa Rooms where the paintings commissioned by Louis-Philippe will be unveiled to the public. In addition to this, visitors will be plunged into 19th-century Versailles with the theatre decors produced for the inauguration of the Historic Galleries on 10 June 1837, which will be set up on the stage of the Royal Opera House. The public will also be able to explore the Crusades Room, the Estates General View of the Gallery of Great Battles © Château de Versailles / Thomas Garnier Room, the Coronation Chamber and the 1792 room, the latter two having been specially restored for the To carry out the project, Frédéric Nepveu, the Palace occasion. They will also see the Statue Galleries as they architect, drew inspiration from the decorative were at the time, with the original busts and the Louis- vocabulary of the State Apartments but used new Phillipe light fittings once again in place. techniques, notably including a metal structure allowing zenithal lighting in the monumental Gallery of Great Battles.

10 The iconography in Versailles underpinned Louis- Philippe’s political discourse, his education having given him an acute awareness of history that was heightened by the and the romantic sensibility of the time. The many works he commissioned illustrate history through key events, interspersed with glorious names. He brought the heroes of France back to life, from Pharamond to the most recent events of the July Monarchy. By transforming the former residence of the Bourbons into a museum open to everyone, the King confirmed his educational vision of a palace where the paintings could be read like a picture book accompanying a political stance. Versailles was no longer just a place of memories, it became a place for learning.

The royal family before the statue of Joan of Arc, Auguste Vinchon, 1848, Musée des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon Taking of the Smalah of Abd-el-Kader by the Duke of Aumale at Taguin, 16 May 1843, © Château de Versailles, Dist RMN / Jean-Marc Manaï Horace Vernet, 1843-1845, Musée des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon © RMN-GP (Château de Versailles) / Gérard Blot / Hervé Lewandowski exhibition curator Valérie Bajou, Head Curator at the Palace of Versailles Louis-Philippe has done a great thing at Versailles. […] He has put an immense idea into an immense edifice, scenography he has brought the present into the past, 1789 with Hubert le Gall 1688, the Emperor with the King, Napoleon with Louis exhibition catalogue XIV; in short, he has given this magnificent book that Joint publication Palace of Versailles / Somogy is the History of France, a magnificent binding called Edited by Valérie Bajou Versailles. Victor Hugo Feuilles paginées III, in Complete works, Paris, Club français du livre, 1967-1970, t5, p.105-1016

11 12 External part II exhibitions

13 Visitors to Versailles.

part II Travellers, princes, ambassadors. 1682-1789 16 April - 29 July 2018 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The Palace of Versailles and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) have joined forces to create the exhibition “Visitors to Versailles. Travellers, princes, ambassadors. 1682-1789”. The exhibition was on display at Versailles from 22 October 2017 to 25 February 2018, and can be visited in New York from 16 April to 29 July 2018.

Since its change from a simple hunting lodge into one of the most magnificent in Europe, as desired by Louis XIV, Versailles has always fascinated travellers. French and foreign visitors alike including royal families, ambassadors, artists, musicians, writers, scientists, tourists and day trippers all flocked to the royal palace and its immense French formal gardens. Resolutely international, the Palace of Versailles attracted not only visitors from Europe and America, but also welcomed dignitaries from countries as far away as Thailand, India and Tunisia. Their official reception at Versailles and View of the Palace of Versailles from the Place d’Armes side. the exchanges of gifts with the King featured among the Pierre-Denis Martin, 1722, oil on canvas Versailles, Musée des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon attractions described in detail in tourists’ travel diaries © Château de Versailles, Dist RMN / Jean-Marc Manaï and the official journals of the royal court. #VisitorstoVersailles The exhibition brings together works from the MET, the Palace of Versailles and more than 50 lenders, and will illustrate the experiences of travellers between 1682, when The partnership between the Palace Louis XIV moved his court to Versailles, and 1789, when of Versailles and the Metropolitan the royal family were forced to return to Paris. Through Museum of Art of New York paintings, portraits, furniture, tapestries, , Organised jointly by the Palace of Versailles and the costumes, porcelain, sculptures, weapons and armour, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the “Visitors and even tourist guidebooks, the exhibition will illustrate to Versailles. Travellers, princes and ambassadors. 1682- what visitors saw at court, what kind of welcome they 1789” exhibition is the first major collaboration between received and access to the Palace they had, and, even more these two world-famous cultural institutions. From the importantly, what impressions, gifts and memories they reception of Benjamin Franklin at the Court of Louis took back with them. XVI in 1778, to the extraordinary patronage of John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the 1920s, Versailles has always been the backdrop to Franco-American friendship. Today, almost 900,000 American visitors come to admire the curators Bertrand Rondot, Head curator of Heritage, in charge of furniture and objets d’art at Versailles Estate every year, making the United States the Musée Nationale des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon the country that provides the largest number of foreign Daniëlle Kisluk-Grosheide, Curator at the Department of European Sculpture and visitors. Decorative Arts, Metropolitan Museum of Art

The catalogue was produced thanks to the Diane W. and James E. Burke Fund and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The exhibition at the MET was made possible by the MET's International Council. It has also received support from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation, Beatrice Stern, the Diane W. and James E. Burke Fund, the Gail and Parker Gilbert Fund, The exhibition at the Palace of Versailles was made possible thanks to the patronage the Florence Gould Foundation, the Danny Kaye and Sylvia Fine Kaye Foundation/ of Gazprom, Groupe ADP, Saint-Gobain, Opus One, Fondation François Sommer, French Heritage Society, and the Al Thani Collection. Madame Krystyna Campbell-Pretty and her family.

14 Napoleon, part II images of the legend 7 October 2017 - 4 November 2018 Arras Musée des Beaux Arts

fallen Emperor, from the heights of the Revolution to the depths of the ashes. These works also cast light on his close circle (family, important officers, imperial Court) as well as Parisian society and the intellectual life of the time (artists, scholars, foreign sovereigns, etc.) The exhibition reveals the richness and quality of artistic production during this period and, especially, how Napoleon was keen very early on to write his own legend for posterity.

This cultural collaboration also establishes a long- distance dialogue with the many historic and cultural monuments in the Hauts-de‐France region that testify of the Napoleonic era. Boulogne had a military camp from 1801 to 1805 in preparation for a landing in England. witnessed the signing of peace, albeit short- lived, between France and England in 1802, putting an

g end to 10 years of war. The Château of Compiègne was an imperial residence, and its interior decor and garden

pq still bear the Emperor’s marks. g p

Mécène principal

En partenariat avec : AN exemplary cultural partnership Since 2011, Hauts-de-France Regional Council, Following the success of the “Roulez Carrosses” (2012- the town of Arras and the Palace of Versailles have 2013) and “Versailles in 100 masterpieces” (2014-2016) maintained a large-scale partnership, allowing exhibitions, which attracted over 400,000 visitors, the the Arras Musée de Beaux Arts to display works partnership between the Hauts-de-France Regional from the collections at Versailles, brought together Council, the town of Arras and the Palace of Versailles in specially created exhibition-events. They are continues with “Napoleon. Images of the legend”. This accompanied by educational and cultural activities, major exhibition at the Arras Musée des Beaux Arts the aim being to allow as many people as possible charts the exceptional destiny of a man whose name is to discover the history and heritage of the Palace of firmly embedded in the collective imagination, and who Versailles. made his mark on the history of France.

The Palace of Versailles holds the largest collection curators Frédéric Lacaille, Head Curator at the Palace of Versailles, in charge of 19th century in the world of historical paintings and portraits paintings commissioned by Napoleon between 1796 and 1815. Marie ‐Lys Marguerite, Curator at the Arras Musée des Beaux Arts Most are distributed throughout the Historic Galleries Scenography created by Louis-Philippe in 1837 and rarely made Nicolas Groult and Valentina Dodi available to the public, but here some 160 works are brought together for the first time for this exhibition. These paintings (historic scenes and portraits), sculptures (statues and busts), furniture and objets d’art evoke key moments in Napoleon’s life viewed in chronological order: from General Bonaparte to the

15 From one Louvre to

part ii another opening a museum for everyone 21 December 2017 - 7 April 2018 and commissions made under Louis XVI for this future museum, which finally opened during the French After participating in the opening of the Louvre Abu Revolution in 1793. Dhabi by lending five key works from its collections An epilogue evokes the transformation of the Louvre for the permanent exhibition at the new museum, the into a universal museum in the 19th century, with the Palace of Versailles is pleased to be contributing to its discovery of historical periods and civilisations that were first temporary exhibition called “From One Louvre to then still unknown in Europe. Another, opening a museum for everyone”. “Louis XIV wanted his Palace and his exceptional Heir to the Louvre of the Enlightenment through its collections to be open to the public, to all types of public. desire to share and educate and to the universal Louvre In 1793 these works enriched the collection of the fledgling of the 19th century for its openness to all cultures, the Louvre Museum. Today, the story continues. The Palace Louvre Abu Dhabi traces the history of the origins of the of Versailles is proud that the heritage in its charge is Louvre Museum in Paris, more than two centuries ago, participating in the creation of the Louvre Abu Dhabi and in its inaugural exhibition. It sheds light on the creation helping it to thrive.” of a public collection and that decisive moment when Catherine Pégard, President of the Public Institution of the ability to contemplate and study works of art was no the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles. longer the sole prerogative of princes and scholars. Curators Curator General of the exhibition: Jean-Luc Martinez, President-Director of the Louvre Museum. In France, the royal collections were already partly Curator of the exhibition: Juliette Trey, Curator at the Department of Prints and accessible at the Palace of Versailles, the seat of the Drawings, Louvre Museum. Court, but a place had yet to be found that was dedicated especially to them. The Louvre Palace, in the heart of Paris, seemed the ideal venue. It had been abandoned by Five works from the Palace of Versailles presented as the King in 1682, then occupied by artists so that by the part of the permanent collections in the Louvre Abu 18th century the Louvre was a veritable hive of artistic Dhabi activity. It was not until 1793, however, that the Louvre Museum was inaugurated. Bonaparte at the St. Bernard pass, 20 May 1800 Based on 150 works taken mainly from the Louvre and Workshop of Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825) the Palace of Versailles, “From one Louvre to another” Circa 1802, oil on canvas describes the museum’s creation as it leads visitors from Versailles to the Louvre, before showing the François-Marie Arouet known as Voltaire, metamorphosis of the Palace into a place of education writer (1694-1778) and culture open to the public. Nicolas de Largillière (1656-1746) 1718, oil on canvas The visit opens with the Palace of Versailles at the end of the 17th century, its gardens, its State Apartments and Louis XIV, King of France (1638-1715) the King’s private apartments, showing how the royal René-Antoine Houasse collections were presented regardless of whether they 17th century, oil on canvas were viewed or not by visitors entering the Palace. It continues with the Louvre, where artists’ workshops Shuja’al Daula, Nabab-Vizier of the province of Awadh, were held, the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture Viceroy of the Moghul Empire and his eldest son Mirza and the , an art exhibition held in the Square Mani Salon every two years. During the 18th century it Tilly Kettle became obvious that the Louvre, dedicated as it was to 1772, oil on canvas the arts, should house a museum which would ensure that everyone could study and contemplate the royal The Horses of the Sun collections. The exhibition ends with the acquisitions Gilles Guérin (1611-1678) 1666-1672, marble 16 © Louvre Abu Dhabi, Greg Garay Greg Dhabi, Abu © Louvre 17 18 Versailles part III part for everyone

19 mondays

part III part at versailles

The Palace of Versailles now opens its doors on Mondays to school groups, extra-curricular activities, groups of disabled visitors and those living far from museums. Monday is the museum’s weekly closing day, so these groups are able to visit the Palace in the best possible conditions.

This initiative is part of the Public Institution’s mission for artistic and cultural education and demonstrates its willingness to participate in building strong social links around historic and cultural references shared by all.

This special opening allows Versailles to be seen in a different light. Groups will principally be able to discover little-known spaces that usually have fewer visitors or are closed to the public (North Attic, Empire rooms etc.) The proposed visit routes will allow people to discover the diversity of the Palace, its collections and the Estate, while exploring the legend through the centuries. They Examples of visit routes also allow visitors to rediscover masterpieces belonging to collective memory and which few people realise are – Presentation of the history of France: visit of the kept at Versailles, such as famous portraits of Victor Gallery of Great Battles, the centrepiece of the museum Hugo, Baudelaire or the imperial family by Winterhalter. that Louis-Philippe wanted to create in the 19th century. In 35 paintings and 82 busts, the gallery illustrates great The visits cover a variety of themes adapted to the events in the history of France, from the beginning of different teaching programmes, from primary to the monarchy with the figure of Clovis, to Napoleon’s secondary, with the aim of arousing everyone’s curiosity. famous victories. For school and extra-curricular groups, the visits are – Images of a century (1814-1914): visit of the rooms conducted by the teachers or group leaders themselves, in the North Attic just below the Palace roof containing disabled groups or those who live far from museums part of the collections from the Museum of the History will be guided on a sensory journey by a mediator from of France, created by Louis-Philippe from 1833. The the Palace. Specific educational booklets are provided paintings in these spaces, opened specially, evoke the for all group leaders (teachers, mediators, association major events of the 19th century, the progression towards volunteers) to help them plan their visit (subjects to the Republic and key political, literary and artistic think about, time lines, key historic dates and events, figures. location of works of art to comment on, reference lists – The Napoleonic saga: visit of the Empire rooms on the etc.). ground floor of the South Wing of the Palace, entirely dedicated to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. This visit brings to life key moments of the Consulate and the French First Empire. – Being a Daughter of the King in the 18th century: visit of the apartments of Mesdames, the daughters of Louis

information XV, to discover the daily life of princesses in the French Education Department: +33 (0)1 30 83 78 00 / [email protected] Court. Specific Visitors Department: +33 (0)1 30 83 75 05 / [email protected] – Gardens: a visit to learn about the work of André Educational booklets Le Nôtre at Versailles and understand the layout and Downloadable at: http://ressources.chateauversailles.fr/ symbolism from a series of vantage points over the Park. Prices Visits without mediator: free Guided tours / events with a mediator: €75 (schools), €25 (specific visitors)

20 artistic and cultural

part iii part education: “on ne copie pas, mais...”

during a visit or a videoconference. – From January to April 2018, the pupils produce physical or digital plastic creations, either individually or in groups, which examine the plurality of the works they have discovered as well as the notion of copy. – An exhibition is planned at the end of the school year in each of the four participating Departments.

Support and resources are available to teachers throughout the project to help them encourage the pupils in their creative processes. On the website http:// on-ne-copie-pas-mais.ac-versailles.fr, they will find a film presentation of the Gallery of Sculptures and School visit in the Gallery of Sculptures and Mouldings © Château de Versailles / Didier Saulnier Mouldings, produced by Nils Paubel, a corpus of works and specially written educational material. The Palace of Versailles, the Louvre Museum and the Versailles Education Authority are offering a new Classes will receive a souvenir book at the end of the artistic and cultural education visit route called “A project showing the diversity of their creations. A digital l’école du patrimoine et de la création: on ne copie pas, record of the entire project will also be available online mais…”, with support from the MGEN. This project is in the form of a video wall. a continuation of “On n’y voit rien, mais…”, a project that ran from October 2015 to June 2016 in partnership with the Departmental National Education Services Directorate in Yvelines (DSDEN 78) and is being taken a step further this year with a target audience of more than 12,000 pupils.

This multi-discipline, predominantly artistic academic initiative invites voluntary classes from schools in the four departments of the Versailles Education Authority to produce individual or group creations based on notions drawn from a personal experience. The task is based on the discovery of the Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery, a space that is rarely accessible to the public and is located in the King’s Small Stables at the Palace of Sculptures and Mouldings Gallery © Château de Versailles / Didier Saulier Versailles. The Gallery contains a collection of casts of original works from Antiquity from the department of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities at the Louvre in partnership with: Museum, as well as original sculptures from the gardens of Versailles, which have been brought indoors for conservation reasons.

Teaching activities, which this year will involve 431 classes from the youngest pre-school pupils to the thanks to the patronage of: final year of high school, revolve around several main highlights: – From October 2017 to February 2018, each class discovers the Gallery of Sculptures and Mouldings

21 Choreographing

part III part Versailles A project by the Palace of Versailles and the town of Les Mureaux for people far from museums 2nd edition

About the project

The second phase of the project, following on from the first opus in 2017 which brought together almost 200 participants in a choreography showcasing the gardens of Versailles, will involve the same number of participants divided into about twenty groups. Although school groups and people with little or no access to museums will make up the majority of the participants, residents from all over the country are invited to take part in the project. Together, they will explore common points between dance and traditional dances from across the world as well as their symbols, social Tourbillon baroque © Château de Versailles / Didier Saulnier characteristics and influence on dance today. This approach through dance, which was ever-present in the In 2018, the Palace of Versailles and the town of Les French Court, will provide a concrete and more accessible Mureaux, which have already been partners for several understanding of the Palace of Versailles. years, will launch the second edition of Choreographing Versailles. This project is part of twinning schemes The theme of the project in 2018 is Ballet at Court in the supported by the Minister for Culture between major 17th century, and is organised through dance workshops public cultural Institutions and Priority Security Areas run by the MOOD/RV6K company in Les Mureaux, (ZSP) in Île-de-France. and discovery days held in parallel at Versailles. The culmination of the project will be on 19 May 2018 with Over 400 inhabitants from priority neighbourhoods a performance combining Baroque dance and dances in the area will discover the world of the Palace and from around the world in the Royal Opera House of the its gardens through dance. They will take part in Palace of Versailles. commented visits and dance workshops to create their in partnership with: own dance show, to be performed at the Palace in May 2018.

The project is jointly conducted by Choreographer Hervé Sika, artists from his company MOOD/RV6K and the cultural development teams at the Palace of Versailles, in close collaboration with the towns of Les Mureaux and Ecquevilly, the Urban Community of Greater Paris & Oise (CUGPSO), the Versailles Education Authority and local associations. It responds to one of the principle missions of the Palace of Versailles, which is to make

culture accessible to as many people as possible, and in and with the support of: particular to those who otherwise have little access to museums.

22 Theatre at versailles

part III part A cultural project with the prison, integration and probation service in Yvelines (SPIP87)

From April 2017 until the end of 2018, inmates from Bois d’Arcy prison, the Versailles women’s detention centre and Maison Centrale prison in Poissy have been working on an ambitious cultural project based on theatre. The participants are creating an entire play, with support from the Yvelines prison, integration and probation service, mediators from the Public Institution of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles and expert craftsmen, which they will perform at the end of 2018 at the Palace of Versailles.

Writing and theatre workshops

The Art Éclair company is running the writing and Writing workshop at Bois d’Arcy - September 2017 © Château de Versailles / theatre workshops. “We work at the margins. We work Didier Saulnier in ‘sensitive areas’, listening to stirring hearts, hidden by exclusion, beating at their own rhythm. This is our choice, our inspiration, our song. We see theatre as the marshalling yard for a moving humanity, with the mingling of emotions, opening up to new senses and words expressing realities unknown to the general public”, explains Olivier Brunhes, the company’s theatre director.

designing costumes and accessories

The Bégonia d’Or studio, directed by Master Artist Sylvie Deschamps, will guide the making of the accessories and costumes. This exceptional company is The Queen’s Theatre © Château de Versailles / Thomas Garnier a specialist in gold embroidery and its expertise is highly

sought after in luxury watchmaking, fine jewellery, Press contacts design, visual arts, interior decoration, gold embroidery Palace of Versailles restoration, etc. For Bégonia d’Or, its inherent high Hélène Dalifard, Aurélie Gevrey, Elsa Martin, Violaine Solari standards required for its Master Artist status go hand +33 (0)1 30 83 75 21 in hand with its commitment to provide training for [email protected] inmates. Ministry of Justice - Prison Administration Department Eymeric Sudreau +33 (0)1 70 22 80 28 creating stage sets [email protected]

Art technicians at the Palace of Versailles, headed by thanks to the patronage of: Jean-Paul Gousset, Technical Director of the Queen’s Theatre, will be in charge of the workshops for creating the stage sets. The Palace of Versailles today has two performance venues: the Royal Opera House and the Queen’s Theatre. The Theatre was inaugurated in 1780, and with the support of: and is currently one of the only theatres in the world to have retained most of its original machinery intact as well as some sets dating back to the 18th century.

23 Démos,

part III part sharing music An orchestra for young people in Yvelines a partnership with the Philharmonie de Paris

In 2016, the Palace of Versailles took part in the creation Growth of the Démos of the Yvelines Démos orchestra, a new local actor of orchestras cultural democratisation. Approximately 90 children from Carrières-sous-Poissy, Chanteloup-les-Vignes, First initiated in 2010, Démos is a Mantes-la-Ville, Marcq, La Verrière, Plaisir, and Trappes musical education project central to the will be taking part in the project for a period of 3 years. Philharmonie de Paris’s mission for cultural democratisation. In October 2017, the Palace hosted the orchestra’s start- of-year session during which the young people met up It is aimed at children aged 7 to 12 years in with Conductor Alexandre Piquion and the professional working-class districts in cities or living in musicians who have accompanied them since 2016. rural areas with a large number of social After practising their instruments, they participated in problems. It provides participants with the a corporal expression activity with the Divertimenty opportunity to play classical music in an company. orchestra for a period of three years. The 7 groups of 15 children who make up the In parallel with the work by each group throughout the orchestra practise separately for four hours year in their own towns and at the Philharmonie de a week and then all come together twice a Paris, the young people and the project leaders will visit term. Each group performs at least once a the Palace of Versailles in order to find out more about year in a local concert hall, bringing in new the cultural environment of their discipline. They will audiences and putting music back at the be able to discover the “Visitors to Versailles. Travellers, heart of social ties. princes and ambassadors. 1682-1789” exhibition through an investigation in which they will find out about the Following the initiative’s success, Démos world of the French Court when Versailles received has been developed on a national level with foreign ambassadors and important visitors. support from national and local partner institutions and multiple patrons. The The year will finish with a concert in the Palace of children’s individual progress, the large Versailles Orangery on 15 June 2018. proportion of participants who joined music schools after three years in the project, the closer relationship between their families and cultural institutions which they had previously considered too remote, the systematic construction of a system of cooperation between music teachers, social work professionals, local cultural actors etc. have all made Démos a tool to help reflection on the development of musical education in France.

There are around thirty Démos orchestras throughout France involving over 3,000 Concert on 16 June 2017 © Château de Versailles / Didier Saulnier children.

Press contacts

Palace of Versailles. Hélène Dalifard, Aurélie Gevrey, Elsa Martin, Violaine Solari +33 (0)1 30 83 75 21 [email protected]

Philharmonie de Paris. Gaëlle Kervella +33 (0)1 44 84 89 69 [email protected]

24 Concert on 16 June 2017 © EPV, Didier Saulnier 25 26 restoration part IV work

27 reopening of the

part IV queen’s house after restoration May 2018

The Queen’s House after restoration © Château de Versailles / Didier Saulnier in 18th-century work logbooks, or according to the The Queen’s House, situated at the heart of the Queen’s arrangements made in the early 19th century by Empress Hamlet, is reopening its doors to the public after the Marie-Louise, the wife of Napoleon I and the last person completion of restoration work on the buildings lasting to live here. from May 2016 to May 2018 and the gardens from 2015 to May 2018. Restoration of the interior decoration and refurnishing of the main rooms in the Queen’s House are some The Queen’s Hamlet was built for Marie-Antoinette of the most important parts of this operation. The between 1783 and 1787. Its design was based on an rooms will contain the furniture chosen by Empress idea by the painter and it was then Marie-Louise, which still survives today unlike that of constructed and decorated by the architect Richard Marie-Antoinette. Visitors will be struck by the contrast Mique. It originally consisted of 12 or so houses with a between the country-style exterior with its “run-down” picturesque, country-style exterior that contrasted with decoration in the style of the time, and an interior design the refined interior decoration. Four of the buildings of the greatest refinement. were reserved for the Queen and her guests: the Queen’s House, the Boudoir, the Mill and the Estate Dairy, while The Warming Room has been restored at the same time. the others were used as peasants’ or servants’ quarters. This building contains a large kitchen and a series of small service rooms (pantry, silverware, dresser, washing Essential restoration place). It was used to prepare meals served in the Dining Room of the Queen’s House, to which it was attached. Restoration work had become urgent due to the dilapidated condition of the interior and exterior of restoration of the original gardens these buildings, which until now could not be opened to the public. The restoration schedule involved cleaning The recreation of the gardens and area around these and full restoration of the stonework, framework and buildings crowns the operation by returning the roofing. The structures have been strengthened to allow landscape design of the Hamlet to how it was in the late guided tours, while the floors, woodwork and paintwork 18th century. have been restored according to the descriptions

contracting authority Heritage and Gardens Directorate of the Palace of Versailles thanks to the patronage of: PrOJECT MANAGEr Jacques Moulin, Head Architect for Historic Monuments

28 exterior

part IV restoration of the royal chapel September 2018 - 2020

Fondation Philanthropia has supported the Palace of Versailles since 2012 in carrying out urgent work to protect its heritage. These restoration projects require highly skilled professionals and provide the opportunity to pass on techniques and expertise and support the training of apprentices and a new generation of artistic craftsmen.

When Fondation Philanthropia announced its commitment to the restoration of the Royal Chapel, it also expressed the desire for other patrons to join the project by taking charge of additional sections of the work to allow the building to be completely restored. The Royal Chapel © Château de Versailles / Thomas Garnier This is how Saint Gobain - a company whose history is After the restoration of Leto’s Fountain and Parterre, deeply intertwined with that of the Palace of Versailles and that of Trianon-sous-Bois, Fondation Philanthropia - has come to support this large-scale operation. It was is once again lending its support to the Public Institution Louis XIV who created the Royal Mirror and Glass of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles Manufacture in 1665 which was to supply the mirrors for another major works project: the restoration of the for the Hall of Mirrors and the glass for the stained glass exterior of the Royal Chapel. windows in the Royal Chapel.

Completed in 1710 by Robert De Cotte, after work had been started by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1687, the Royal Chapel of Versailles is the fruit of a lengthy building process and is probably the greatest artistic achievement in the Palace. The nobility of its and the exceptional quality of its decoration make this building one of the greatest masterpieces of sacred art. It was the final large-scale project carried out at Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV and is considered to be the monarch’s spiritual legacy.

The last significant work to restore the building dates back to the 19th and 20th centuries. The precarious state of the roof and the exterior sculpted decoration means that urgent restoration work is required on both the roof and the walls. This will include restoration of the framework, slate work, lead ornaments and gilding, cut stone facades as well as the statues and windows.

Detail of a statue on the Royal Chapel © château de Versailles / Didier Saulnier

thanks to the major patronage of: and the patronage of: contracting authority Heritage and Gardens Directorate of the Palace of Versailles PrOJECT MANAGEr Fredéric Didier, Head Architect for Historic Monuments

29 30 ICIPalace of part V partie XX MONVersailles TITre deShows partie

31 grandes eaux part V fountain displays

The FOunatins Night Show Musical Grandes Eaux Fountain Displays

Saturdays from 16 June to 15 September 2018 Saturdays from 16 June to 15 September 2018 From 8. 30pm to 11.05pm Shows at 6.30pm, 6.50pm, 7.10pm, 7.30pm, 7.50pm Young and old can enjoy a magical two-and-a-half-hour Royal SerenadE in the Hall of Mirrors stroll every Saturday evening in summer through the With Éventail Dance Copany and Folies Françoises French formal gardens of the Palace of Versailles, with Marie-Geneviève Massé, Artistic Director and Choreographer the fountains lit up and in action and accompanied by the Patrick Cohën-Akenine, Musical Director sound of Baroque music. The evening ends with a grand firework display. On Saturdays in summer, after the Musical Grandes Eaux Fountain Displays or before the Fountains Night The gardens are staged to amaze and dazzle. The groves Show, visitors can discover the State Apartments with and fountains are decorated with thousands of lights, Éventail Dance Company and musicians from Folies magical illuminations and glistening baubles. The Sun Françoises, from the Royal Chapel Vestibule to the King’s music accompanies visitors as they walk. Time will Hercules Room and the Hall of Mirrors. th stand still for the evening. Just as it was at the 17 -century Court, spectators will witness eccentric scenes and events full of grandeur To bring the evening to a close, firework engineers from that occurred in the golden setting of Versailles, such Groupe F invite the public to a truly royal fireworks display as the reception of the Sultan at Court and the resulting at the Grande Perspective. Turquerie, religious songs and sword fights. Musical Gardens

Saturdays and Sundays from 31 March to 28 October 2018 Tuesdays from 27 March to 15 May 2018, then Tuesdays from 3 July to 30 October Tuesdays from 22 May to 26 June 2018 2018 Exceptional dates: Friday 30 March, Tuesday 8 May, Thursday 10 May, Wednesday 15 Fridays from 6 April to 26 October 2018 August 2018 From 9am to 7pm From 9am to 7pm

32 the musical season part V 2017-2018

LULLY: PHAÉTON TRIBUTE TO CASTRATI

Gluck: Orfeo Ed Euridice

Opera at the Royal Opera House Wednesday 30 May 2018 Opera at the Royal Opera House st Friday 1 , Saturday 2, Sunday 3 June 2018 Friday 8, Sunday 10 June 2018 Mathias Vidal, Éva Zaïcik, Cyril Auvity, Léa Trommenschlager, Lisandro Abadie, Philippe Jaroussky, Patricia Petibon, Emöke Baráth Victoire Bunel, Aleksandre Egorov, Viktor Shapovalov, Alfiya Khamidullina, Radio France Choir musicAeterna I Barocchisti Le Poème Harmonique Diego Fasolis, Conductor Vincent Dumestre, Conductor Robert Carsen, Stage Director Benjamin Lazar, Stage Director Tobias Hoheisel, Scenography and Costumes Mathieu Lorry-Dupuy, Scenographer Robert Carsen and Peter Van Praet, lighting Alain Blanchot, Costumes Mathilde Benmoussa, Makeup and Hair Elizabeth Calleo, Assistant Stage Director Filippo Mineccia: Recital Concert in the Crusades Room This is the story of Phaethon, who boldly drove the Saturday 9 June 2018 chariot of the Sun which ruled over the celestial vault Filippo Mineccia, countertenor with its daily course across the sky. But an excess of Ensemble Nereydas Glory, Honour and Love led to the downfall of this Javier Ulises Illán, Conductor young God… A destiny struck down, is this a warning for King Louis? The Sun King likened himself to Mars and Apollo, and did not chase shadows (but for love, would it be the Franco Fagioli: Recital Haendel – Vivaldi same?). Concert at the Royal Opera House Saturday 9 June 2018 A stellar team is bringing the story of Phaethon back to Franco Fagioli, countertenor life. Vincent Dumestre and Benjamin Lazar have twenty Venice Baroque Orchestra years’ collaboration on Lully’s work behind them, and here they restore the expressions that rang through the Court in a work that closely represents its characters. Phaethon will be leaving Perm Opera, a far-off venue with irrepressible enthusiasm, to embark on a fantastical Riccardo Angelo Strano: Ragazzi Virtuosi Di Napoli journey to the Palace of the Sun King… Concert in the Crusades Room Sunday 10 June 2018 New production Riccardo Angelo Strano, countertenor Ensemble Cantar Lontano Marco Mencoboni, Conductor

33 renaud capuçon louis XIV day

Renaud Capuçon: A violin in Versailles

Concert-promenade in the Palace of Versailles: Hercules Room, Royal Chapel, Hall of Mirrors 15 June - 8.30pm

Renaud Capuçon, violin Gérard Caussé, viola Justin Taylor, harpsichord Ensemble Marguerite Louise Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Duo no.1 Gaétan Jarry, Conductor Georg Friedrich Haendel - Johan Halvorsen, Passacaille Le Poème Harmonique Georg Friedrich Haendel, Sonate Vincent Dumestre, Conductor Jean-Marie Leclair, Sonate Georg Philipp Telemann, Fantaisies Sunday 8 and Monday 9 July 2018 11pm to midnight Wherever he was, Louis XIV’s day was always Renaud Capuçon: master class accompanied by music, from the moment he got up until his evening meal, from the ballets he danced to the Crusades Room 16 June - 10 am parties he enjoyed in the Hall of Mirrors, not forgetting his hunting trips and more private moments spent in the royal apartments. For the first time in three centuries, the Renaud Capuçon: virtuoso French violin music of Louis XIV and its composers are reunited again. Here, every key moment in the Sun King’s day is brought Royal Opera House 16 June - 7pm to life in music, in the most beautiful parts of Versailles including the Royal Opera House, the Royal Chapel, the

Renaud Capuçon, violin Hercules Room, the Hall of Mirrors and the gardens. Guillaume Bellom, piano

Sonatas for violin and piano by César Franck, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and to mark the exhibition Pascal Dusapin. “louis-philippe and Versailles” During this evening recital, Renaud Capuçon will perform a world premiere, Forma fluens, a sonata by Berlioz at Versailles Pascal Dusapin. Sunday 21 October 2018 This commission for the Royal Opera House shows 5pm at the Royal Opera House that contemporary art is also represented at Versailles Lucile Richardot, viola Orchestre Révolutionnaire through music. et Romantique John Eliot Gardiner, Conductor

Corsaire overture La Mort de Cléopâtre “Chasse Royale et orage”, from Les Troyens “Ah ! Je vais mourir… Adieu fière cité”, Dido’s aria from Les Troyens Symphonie Fantastique

34 Costume Grand summer show part V evenings part V at the orangery

Fêtes Galantes MArIE-ANTOINETTE A fire and light show by Stéphane Bern

Monday 28 May 2018 7.30pm to midnight State Apartments

With costumes identical to those worn when Versailles was at its most splendid, visitors can enjoy the refined and artistic atmosphere of the evening gatherings organised by Louis XIV. A timeless experience. Friday 29 June 2018 Thursday 5, Friday 6, Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 July 2018 10pm There is only one condition: guests must come dressed Orangery at the Palace of Versailles in a Baroque style costume and must be wearing it before entering the Palace. Fireworks, flames, videos, luminous characters and fire bearers will celebrate the historic figure of Queen Marie- Grand Masked Ball Antoinette in this new fireworks spectacular by Groupe at the Palace of Versailles F collective, in the royal setting of the Orangery Gardens at the Palace of Versailles.

Previous shows by Groupe F: At the Palace of Versailles: The Fountains Night Show (since 2007) • Louis XIV, the Fire King (2015, 2016 and 2017) • Royal fireworks (2010, 2012 and 2015) • Venetian festivities (2011) • The Royal nuptials of Louis XIV (2010) • Cyrano de Bergerac and the Empires of the Sun (2009) • The hidden face of the Sun (2007 and 2008). And elsewhere: Opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi 2017 • Opening and closing of the Olympic Games in Rio 2016 Saturday 23 June 2018 • 14 July fireworks in 2014 and 2015 at the Eiffel Tower • 11.30pm to dawn Orangery at the Palace of Versailles Eiffel Tower Millenium fireworks in 2000... Hakim Ghorab, Artistic Director and Choreographer The public are invited to a night of festivity in period New for 2018 costumes in the Palace of Versailles Orangery and gardens, which will be specially staged for the occasion. The ball will be attended by dancers, performers and artists and will be put on for the second consecutive year by Choreographer Hakim Ghorab. An "after party" will be held in the early hours in the Ballroom Grove. The full programme of shows at the Palace of Versailles is available online at: There is only one condition: guests must come dressed www.chateauversailles-spectacles.fr in a Baroque style costume and must be wearing it before entering the Palace.

35 36 practical part VI information

37 practical part VI information

Getting to the Palace from Paris The Palace is open every day except Mondays – RER line C, and on 1st May, 25 December and 1st January: Access towards Versailles Château - – from 9am to 6.30pm in high season, last admission – SNCF trains from Gare Montparnasse, at 6pm (tills close at 5.50pm).

towards Versailles - Chantiers Opening times – from 9am to 5.30pm in low season, last admission – SNCF trains from Gare Saint - Lazare, at 5pm (tills close at 4.50pm). towards Versailles - Rive Droite – RETP bus line 171 from Pont de Sèvres towards The Trianon palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s Versailles Place d’Armes Estate are open every day except Mondays – A13 motorway (towards ) and on 25 December and 1st January: exit Versailles-Château – from 12pm to 6.30pm in high season for the Grand – Parking at Place d’Armes. Parking is charged, except Trianon and the , last admission at 6pm for disabled people and excluding the evenings of shows (tills close at 5.50pm). from 7.30pm. – from 12pm to 7.30pm for the gardens and the Queen’s Hamlet (gardens emptied from 7pm). Getting to the Trianon Palaces – from 12pm to 5.30pm in low season, last admission and Marie-Antoinette’s Estate: at 5pm (tills close at 4.50pm). – From Paris: A13 motorway (towards Rouen); 2nd exit Versailles Notre - Dame. Entrance via Saint The Park and Gardens of Versailles are open Anthony Gate. Admission is charged and is from 7am to every day: 7pm in high season and from 8am to 6pm in low season. – from 7am to 8.30pm in high season for the park and – From the Palace: 25 minutes on foot through the from 8am to 8.30pm for the gardens. gardens, Petit Trianon and Grand Trianon stops on the – from 8am to 6pm in low season. little train. High season: 1st April - 31 October Low season: 1st November - 31 March

Château de Versailles @CVersailles facebook.com/chateauversailles twitter.com/CVersailles

Château de Versailles Chateauversailles Press contacts plus.google.com/+chateauversailles instagram.com/chateauversailles Hélène Dalifard, Aurélie Gevrey, Violaine Solari +33 (0)1 30 83 75 21 Photos Souvenir Versailles Media [email protected] presse.chateauversailles.fr flickr.com/groups/versaillesfamille media.chateauversailles.fr For more information + 33(0)1 30 83 78 00 Château de Versailles chateauversailles.fr youtube.com/chateauversailles

38 Palace ticket, includes admission to temporary Booking required on 01 30 83 78 00 or on site on the day exhibitions: €18, concessions €13. (subject to availability of places). Information on site at the guided tours reception:

Admission Exhibition ticket, fast-track ticket on sale only online North Ministers’ Wing and at the “i” point.

at www.chateauversailles.fr, for the duration of the tours Guided Price: €10 + admission. Concessions €7 + admission. exhibition: €18 Free for visitors under 10 years and those accompanying a disabled person. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Ticket for Trianon Palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s See the full programme at chateauversailles.fr. Estate: €12, concessions €8.

Passport ticket (1 day) includes admission to the Palace, Free unaccompanied visits of the Palace, the Trianon gardens, Trianon Palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s Palaces and Marie-Antoinette’s Estate, and temporary Estate, and to the temporary exhibitions: €20 / €27 on exhibitions, except on Grandes Eaux Musicales Fountain Grandes Eaux Musicales Fountain Display days. Display days: – for disabled people and the person accompanying 2-day Passport ticket includes admission for two them on presentation of proof of disability. consecutive days to the Palace, gardens, Trianon Palaces – for people receiving social benefits on presentation of and Marie-Antoinette’s Estate, and to the temporary proof dating from a maximum of 6 months. exhibitions: €25 / €30 on Grandes Eaux Musicales Versailles for everyone Information and bookings: + 33 (0)1 30 83 75 05 Fountain Display days. and [email protected]

Free for under 18 years and under 26 years resident of the European Union, except on Grandes Eaux Musicales Palace visit: audioguides in 11 languages, Fountain Display and Musical Gardens Days. and a version in French sign language. Admission to the park is free all year round. Admission to the gardens is free, except on Grandes Exhibition visits: 2 versions available Eaux Musicales Fountain Display and Musical Gardens (French and English).

days. audioguide Free Audioguides available for children from 8 years.

39