The gallery of coaches The king's great stables gallery of coaches plan the gallery of coaches of the palace of versailles

To the Palace

1 Main Courtyard The Versailles coach collection is one of Europe’s largest and was put Coaches of the Great Stables together by King Louis-Philippe in 1831 when he transformed the for the wedding entrance Free Wifi royal palace into a museum dedicated “To all the Glories of France.” of Napoleon I exit 7 National Equestrian Sedan chairs and sleds joined the collections in 1851 when the first 2 Academy of the Estate Trianon Coach museum opened its doors to the public. Sedan chairs and of Versailles children’s coaches Coaches were designed to make an impression on minds and were total works of art. with their ostentatious luxury and decoration, they 3 were crafted by the court’s finest artists: architects, joiners, sculptors, Coach for the 1 christening of the painters, bronze smelters, gilders, upholsterers, embroiderers, etc. Duke of Bordeaux Over and beyond its artistic quality, the collection is also a kind 4 th th 2 of “Car Show of the 18 and 19 centuries” displaying the finest Court sleds prototypes and cutting-edge advances in french coach building in terms 5 of elegance, comfort and techniques. Coach for the coronation­ Each coach also recounts a page in the History of France through a of Charles X dynastic or political event: a christening, wedding, coronation or funeral. 6 The Versailles coaches provide a living testimony to life at Court Funeral hearse and to the grandeur of the Ancien Régime, Empire and restoration. of Louis XVIII

7 Presidential coaches

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1. Perspective view of the town, stables, palace and gardens Download the free of Versailles at the end of the reign audio guide of the Gallery of Coaches of Louis XIV (detail) Circa 1710-1715 1 onelink.to/chateau Anonymous 4

2 5 the royal a wide institution The stables were one of the most stables important departments of the Maison du Roi. They were a constant hive of Most European royal families would Construction activity with almost one thousand men The golden age have happily settled for such buildings The Royal Stables of Versailles were working there: squires, coachmen, of french equestrianism as their palace, but for the King the biggest royal construction project masters of hounds, postilions, footmen, The art of French dressage reached of France, these were just his stables. ever undertaken to house horses. lads, stablemen, blacksmiths, chaplains, perfection in the arena of the Great Contem­poraries of Louis XIV The work on the two buildings started musicians, horse surgeons, the Pages’ Stables. From 1680 to 1830, a new form were amazed by the scale and majesty in 1679 to prepare for the installation School… It was a world unto itself. of thinking and new techniques emerged of the stables at Versailles. Their of the court and government in Versailles. in equestrianism, aiming to restore outstanding location, facing the Palace, Placed under the supervision of Jules The king’s horses the natural attitudes of the mounts is proof in itself of the importance Hardouin-Mansart, the undertaking was The galleries housed hundreds of horses and achieve perfect harmony between of horses in the display of power under carried out by an army of labourers ordered by breed and by coat colour. rider and horse. The squire’s elegance the Ancien Régime. in a record time of just three years, from Spanish, Arabian and Persian horses from the School of Versailles was 1679 to 1682. were used for parades and carrousels, renowned throughout Europe and contri­ Great and small stables English horses for hunting, while buted to the prestige of the kingdom. The names come not from their size, The buildings the coach horses came from Poland, but from their use. To the north, the The buildings are laid out in an original Denmark or Prussia. The stables of Great Stables were under the authority horse-shoe shape, organised around Versailles amazed visitors by the unusual 2. Cross-section of 4. Coach for the coro­ of the Grand Equerry of France, referred five courtyards. The side wings were height of their vaults, the thickness the King’s Great Stables nation of Louis XVI to as Monsieur le Grand, and housed the given over to the personnel, while of the walls and their stone paving. at Versailles in 1695 in Reims, 2 June 1775 Agency of Jules Engraving by Jean-Louis perfectly trained steeds for hunting and the central part was assigned The horses were stabled in a single row Hardouin-Mansart Prieur le Jeune warfare. To the south, the Small Stables to the horses. In the centre of each set at the Great Stables and in a double (1646-1708) (1759-1795) were headed by the First Equerry, of buildings lay the arena, which row at the Small Stables, separated only 3. The “artificial gaits” 5. The double-row referred to as Monsieur le Premier, and was rectangular at the Great Stables by swinging bails that allowed of the horse, in “École stalls in the Small were home to the horses for ordinary and round at the Small Stables. a magnificent, unobstructed view and de Cavalerie contenant Stables at Versailles uses and coach horses. In principle, the well-being of the horses themselves. la connoissance, l’instru­ J. G. Rosenberg the Grand Equerry commanded all the ction et la conservation du cheval avec figure stables and stud farms, although en taille douce” the First Equerry always had difficulty Paris, 1733 accepting this subordination. Between François Robichon these two eminent figures there was de la Guérinière (1688-1751) a never-ending rivalry. 3 6

THE STATE COACHES FOr THE WEDDING OF NAPOLEON I

On 2 April 1810, less than one month The Imperial Guard opened the way, after his divorce from Empress followed by the thirty-four coaches Josephine who was unable to bear him of the Court (including La Cornaline an heir, Napoleon I married and L’Améthyste shown in the gallery). Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria. Then came the coach of the Empress, The event was marked by three which was unoccupied during the days of stunning celebrations procession in line with royal tradition, that owed much of their grandeur then that of the Emperor himself, to the magnificent processions. drawn by eight horses and surrounded by the Marshals of the Empire and the Forty coaches drove through the Étoile Grand Equerries on magnificent steeds. Gate and under the as yet unfinished Finally, the coaches of the Grand Arc de Triomphe, before proceeding Almoner and the one of the Imperial down the Champs-Élysées up family, which were even richer to the Tuileries Garden, acclaimed and more elegant in style, brought up by jubilant crowds. The power the end of the procession (five of them of the Emperor was displayed on this are on display in the gallery). important day by the splendour of his coaches and their retinues. The grandeur of this procession – forty ceremonial coaches and over 240 horses – exceeded even that of the coronation in 1804 and, most importantly, over­ shadowed the magnificence of former royal processions: in similar circum­ stances, the Kings of the Bourbon dynasty only used some thirty coaches.

6, 7 and 8. the Tuileries Garden The wedding procession on 2 April 1810 (details) of Napoleon I and Étienne-Barthélémy 7 Marie-Louise crossing Garnier (1759-1849)

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CHILDrEN’S SEDAN COACHES CHAIr

In Ancient Rome, on the occasion From their youngest age, the future Although the sedan chair has existed In Versailles too, there were private of the Saturnalia festival, the children sovereigns could therefore parade in style. since ancient times, it was at the end and public sedan chairs. The Chaises of wealthy families would be given The small coaches used for walks were of the 16th century that it made its Bleues service named after the colour miniature chariots drawn by a sheep. pulled along by an adult or hitched up reappearance in Europe. Sedan chairs of the livery of the King’s bearers, In the modern era, miniature vehicles to animals, such as sheep or goats, while could be privately owned or hired proposed chair trips for six sols. were to remain a big favourite: every one of the children from the prince’s and were the most widely used form The chairs were used not only to cross young prince had his miniature coach. retinue played the footman, standing of transport for short trips. the courtyards and gardens, but also on the rear platform. inside the Palace. Everyone was allowed At the age of 18 months, Louis XIII In large cities congested with coaches, into the Palace in a Chaise Bleue received several such coaches, These children’s vehicles crafted out the chair offered an attractive alternative: as far as the foot of the King’s Staircase. including one carrying four dolls of the most precious materials by it was less costly, more manoeuvrable They were strictly prohibited, however, and an automaton toy coach “driven the greatest coachbuilders were not mere and every bit as quick in narrow, poorly- in the Marble Courtyard, and by a spring”. Later, the young Louis XIV toys. They were genuine reduced-scale paved streets. It was also more convenient: only the chairs of the royal family were would enjoy himself hunting ducks versions of the latest models featuring carried as it was by two bearers with allowed upstairs. by the Tuileries Canal in a small chariot all their technical innovations. leather breast collars, there was no need drawn by two barbet dogs. Later still, to prepare or harness horses and once the sons of Louis XVI and Marie- the journey was over, it could easily Antoinette were each to receive a small be stored against a wall, in a hallway or 9. The King of Rome 11. View of the Palace town coach and an open carriage on an excursion in his of Versailles and on a landing. in the very latest fashion, both on display coach on the terrace the Chapel Courtyard in the gallery. of the Tuileries (detail) (detail) In the manner of coaches, sedan chairs Circa 1725, after 10. View of the Orangery were built by saddler-coachbuilders Jacques Rigaud and Palace of Versailles and displayed the initials and coats of (circa 1681-1754) from the Lake of arms of their owners. Sedan chairs the Swiss Guard (detail) 12. Following double page: were available for hire in Paris as early Circa 1740 Arrival of the royal coach Jacques André Portail in front of the railings as 1617, with routes and prices being (1695-1759) of the Ambassadors’ set in advance. Staircase (detail) 1725, engraving by Louis Surugue 11 (1686-1762) 12 1

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the harness the coach

1. Plume 7. Crupper Undercarriage body 2. Bridle comprising: headpiece, 8. Breeching (for wheel horses) 1. Perch connecting the front 11. Side sill containing the footboard browband, clip, overcheck, blinkers, 9. Loin straps and rear axles 12. Door panel cheek piece, noseband, throat lash 10. Trace holder 2. Crane’s neck 13. Quarter panel and bit 11. Traces 3. Fore carriage for attaching 14. Elbowline 3. Breast collar 12. Belly band the draught-beam 15. Opera window or quarter panel 4. False martingale 13. Driving lines held by the coachman; 4. Decorative ring on the hub 16. Pillar (corner upright) 5. Saddle with the terrets through reins by the postilion 5. Box seat for the coachman which the driving lines pass 6. Coachman’s footboard top 6. Back strap 7. Platform for the footman 17. Sculpted cornice 18. Edging rail suspension 19. Head (roof) 8. C-spring Ceiling lining 9. Leather brace 10. Anti-roll belt 13 THE STATE COACH FOr THE CHrISTENING OF THE DUKE Of bordeAUX

In 1820, the Duke of Berry, son of While the aim was to celebrate the the future Charles X and the only hope “miracle child” who carried all the hopes of providing the Bourbon dynasty of the French Bourbons, the particular with an heir, was assassinated, shaking splendour of this procession was also royalist France to its foundations. intended to eclipse memories of The posthumous birth of his son the another grand christening some ten Duke of Bordeaux was therefore years earlier, that of the King of Rome, cause for an immense celebration. On son of Napoleon I. 1 May 1821, Louis XVIII surrounded the child’s christening with extraordinary This was the most luxurious state coach pomp and circumstance. that had ever existed until that time, adorned with an elbowline of engraved Twenty-seven coaches left the courtyard bronze and with gilding of admirable of the Tuileries and proceeded along finesse. On the inside, the head of the Louvre quaysides, past the festooned the coach’s lining was embroidered with facades, and then across the Pont-Neuf silk, gold and sequins by the ladies of towards Notre-Dame. In the middle the Légion d’Honneur. Each of the four of the procession, the luxurious coach corners bears a large eagle, a reminder carried the child laying on his gover­ of its use under the reign of Napoleon III ness’ knees, alongside his elder sister on the christening of the Imperial Prince Mademoiselle d’Artois. In the early in 1856. afternoon, the procession arrived in front 13. Henri-Charles- of the cathedral, decorated in breath- Ferdinand d'Artois, Duke of Bordeaux, and taking style for the occasion. his sister Louise-Marie- Thérèse d'Artois (detail) Get in the car! 1821, Louis Hersent (1777-1860) Get on board for a 360° online visit of the coach interiors: the coach for the christening 14. View of the ceiling of the Duke of Bordeaux, the coronation lining of the coach coach of Charles X and La Brillante used for the christening for the wedding of Napoleon I. of the Duke of Bordeaux

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COUrT SLEDS 17

When the walks through the gardens These fragile yet luxurious vehicles were Although sled races were all the rage It was Marie-Antoinette who then of Versailles were covered in snow drawn by a horse with studded horse towards the end of the reign of Louis XIV, brought sled parties back into fashion, and the Grand Canal was frozen over, shoes and embroidered harnesses with enthusiasm for them was even greater in memory of those she enjoyed in the King and his court would indulge silver bells that would jingle prettily under Louis XV: the King was an her youth in Vienna. The Queen had the in the pleasures of sled races. in the silence of the snowy gardens. They impressive driver and would race along old sleds of the court brought out from This fashion imported from the were driven by the lords of the court at high speed in his sled. Setting out the stables. Some of them are displayed Nordic countries held sway wearing fur hats and frock coats, settled from the Great Terrace, the joyful host here. With their fantastic creatures through three successive reigns, on the seat at the rear of the sled and would glide down the walks through and rare or mythical animals, the sleds from Louis XIV to Louis XVI. holding the reins. The ladies in Polish- the garden and around the Grand Canal formed a weird and wonderful bestiary. style casaquin jackets would let to the Menagerie, before returning These fancy vehicles were managed themselves be driven around or would via Trianon and then galloping across by the Menus Plaisirs, the institution in sometimes take the reins themselves, the Great Lawn and back up to the Palace. charge of festivities and theatre sets. a unique privilege in Europe.

16. A lady being driven in a sled on the snow 1729, attributed to Charles-Antoine Coypel (1694-1752)

15, 17 and 18. Water (details) Circa 1640-1641 Claude Deruet (1588-1660)

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THE COrONATION COACH OF CHArLES X

On 29 May 1825, Charles X was For the journey to Reims, the coach crowned in Notre-Dame Cathedral was partly dismantled and carefully in Reims. For this ceremony which wrapped in canvas sheeting to protect was the cornerstone of the monarchy it and shield it from the eyes of of divine right, he ordered an extra­ onlookers along the way. It was reas­ ordinarily sumptuous coach to be built. sembled for the King’s entry into town. After the Revolution and the Empire, This veritable travelling throne was the new King was seeking a return used again the next day for the procession to the grandeur of the Ancien Régime. to the cathedral where the coronation was to be celebrated. It was used again No sooner had the construction of this on 6 June 1825 for the entrance of coach for Louis XVIII begun than it Charles X into Paris, and one last time was abandoned when the King gave up in 1856 for the christening of the Imperial on the idea of a coronation for political Prince, son of Napoleon III: on that reasons. As soon as Charles X came occasion, its decoration was modified, to the throne, the Marquis of Vernon, with the royal insignia being replaced the equerry in charge of the stables, had by imperial emblems. the work started again. It was completed in the space of less than six months, This coach was immediately acknow­ supervised by master coachbuilder ledged to be the masterpiece of French Daldringen. coachbuilding for its ingenious mechanics, the precision of its assembly and its ornaments featuring all the different decorative arts. It was “the finest of all the coronation coaches 19 and 20. Entry of Charles X to Paris ever built,” according to the illustrious on his return from professor and coach designer Duchesne, his coronation in Reims, and is the only one still conserved 6 June 1825 (details) today in France. Louis-François Lejeune (1775-1848)

20 22 THE FUNErAL HEArSE PrESIDENTIAL OF LOUIS XVIII 21 COACHES

On 16 September 1824, after reigning The hearse proceeded at walking pace In 1870, after the fall of the Second A new kind of coachbuilding emerged, for ten years, Louis XVIII passed towards the Abbey of Saint-Denis, Empire and the proclamation with vehicles that were simpler and away. The Chambers voted to grant the necropolis of the Kings of France of the Third Republic, the prestigious even austere in their outward appearance, an exceptional budget for a grandiose since the Middle Ages. It was drawn by stables of Napoleon III were but which featured a host of luxurious funeral intended to enhance the eight horses caparisoned in black velvet disbanded and the coaches stored details: sleek lines, dumb irons carved prestige of a much-contested dynasty. embroidered with silver tears and away or sold off at an auction. These in the shape of serpents, ivory window 23 September saw the grandest funeral fringed with tassels, creating, according democratic days did not welcome handles, padded interior linings, procession of any French monarch. to witnesses, “an impression of majesty displays of wealth. interior lighting and suspensions with and sadness”. eight springs offering unrivalled comfort. The body was taken from the Tuileries However, the requirements of official Palace shortly before eleven o’clock. The decoration is in sculpted wood, representation, soon forced the As the century drew to a close, Parisian The hearse was waiting in the courtyard. gilded with white gold: angels and Presidency of the Republic to acquire coachbuilding reached its peak, The bodyguards placed the coffin in it, caryatids bear palm fronds symbolising new vehicles suited to these various dominating the rest of Europe on the royal cloak of purple velvet the hope of resurrection, the crown circumstances: receiving ambassadors, by the technical perfection and elegance decorated with fleur de lys, and draped of France is held up by a bouquet of lilies, going on local tours, world’s fairs of its output, but it was the end of an with an ermine-edged black velvet and death is symbolised by cherubs and official visits by foreign sovereigns. era. After the Great War, around 1920, shroud set with silver moire fabric, overturning a torch. The State therefore placed orders with a page was turned as the automobile bearing the royal coat of arms such presti­gious Parisian coachbuilders took the upper hand once and for all. in the corners. The departure was This is the only royal hearse such as Ehrler, who had previously announced by a 101 canon salute. still in existence in France. Until it was worked for Napoleon III, Mühlbacher rediscovered, this kind of coach and Rothschild & Fils. was known only through written descriptions or a few rare portrayals. As the successors of Louis XVIII were to die in exile, his was the last 21. Funeral hearse 22. President Poincaré 23. The Stables of Louis XVIII (detail) funeral of a King of France. and George V, King seen from the Palace Charles Abraham of England, in the of Versailles Chasselat (1782-1843) Grand Landau of the Jean-Baptiste Martin, Presidency of the the Elder (1659-1735) Republic in April 1914 (detail) Opening Guide to the gallery Extend your visit hours of Coaches national equestrian Every day, except on Co-published by Artlys / academy of the Mondays and some bank Château de Versailles estate of versailles holidays or exceptional In French only, 72 pages, €8 events. Information and bookings on acadequestre.fr High season: or on +33 (0)1 39 02 62 70 from 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm

last admissionLa collection de carrosses du château de Versailles est l’une des plus importantes d’Europe. Chaque voiture raconte une page LA GALERIE DES de l’Histoire de France à travers un événement dynastique ou politique : baptême, mariage, sacre, funérailles. at 5.45 pmVéritables trônes ambulants, conçus pour frapper les esprits, ces carrosses sont des oeuvres d’art totales. D’un luxe ostentatoire, ornés à profusion d’ors et de sculptures, réunion éblouissante CARROSSES de tous les arts décoratifs, ils ont été réalisés par les meilleurs artistes et artisans : architectes, menuisiers, sculpteurs, peintres, CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES bronziers, doreurs, tapissiers, brodeurs, etc. Low season:Plus qu’un guide, cet ouvrage propose également une petite histoire de l’hippomobile, car au-delà de leur qualité artistique, ces oeuvres révèlent les dernières avancées de la carrosserie VERSAILLES DE CHÂTEAU française en matière d’élégance, de confort et de technique. from 12.30Somptueuses pm voitures, to chaises 5.30 à porteurs raffi pm nées et traîneaux formant un bestiaire étrange et merveilleux constituent le témoignage le plus vivant de la vie de cour et des fastes sous last admissionl’Ancien Régime, l’Empire et la Restauration. at 4.45 pm LA GALERIE DES CARROSSES LA GALERIE DES CARROSSES

ISBN : 978-2-85495-641-2

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COUV_CARROSSES.indd 1 10/05/2016 16:05

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For ages 6-12 years A range of products about In partnership horses and coaches. with Paris Mômes Available at the entrance Available in the points of sale to the Gallery and on in the Palace and on chateauversailles.fr boutique-chateauversailles.fr

23 ÉTABLISSEMENT PUBLIC DU CHÂTEAU, DU MUSÉE ET DU DOMAINE NATIONAL DE VErSAILLES RP 834 – 78 008 Versailles cedex Information and bookings on +33 (0)1 30 83 78 00 chateauversailles.fr

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© RMN-Grand Palais / © Daniel Arnaudet (Musée Lambinet) © Archives départe­mentales palace des Yvelines © Musée du Louvre, Dist. RMN- Grand Palais / © Marc Jeanneteau © RMN-Grand Palais / © Agence Bulloz © RMN-Grand Palais (domaine de Compiègne) / © Stéphane Maréchalle © RMN-Grand Palais (Château de Versailles) / © Christophe Fouin © Gérard Blot © El Meliani © Franck Raux © Julien Lautredou ENTrANCE © Agathe Poupeney Gallery of Coaches © Droits réservés National Equestrian Academy Cover: of the Estate of Versailles © Château de Versailles / Christophe Fouin July 2019 Free Wifi

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