If you are looking for information about the Queen’s Village, one of the most charming and picturesque places in the Palace of Versailles, you are in the right place.
In this article I will tell you about a charming enclave within Marie Antoinette’s estate: the Queen’s Village, also known as“Hameau de la Reine.”
We will explore together the compelling history of this place, its unique attractions, and how you can plan your visit to have an unforgettable experience.
From an overview of its founding to frequently asked questions, I’ll help you better plan your visit. As you continue reading, you will discover everything you need to know about the Queen’s Village at the Palace of Versailles. Are you ready to immerse yourself in the magic and secrets of this historic gem? Then let’s get started!
Halt! Before we proceed, let me make you an offer you can’t refuse. You should know that this attraction attracts thousands of visitors every day, so when it comes time to get your ticket, you will probably run into endless lines at the ticket counters at the Palace of Versailles. I recommend that you book your ticket in advance to ensure stress-free access and fully enjoy the experience. What are you waiting for? Book now and get ready to discover the secrets of the Queen’s Village!
Palace of Versailles: Entrance ticket + Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s Village
Purchase online. Choose your preferred time. Visit the Palace of Versailles and the halls of the Palace, access the gardens and the Trianon and Marie Antoinette Estate.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
Table of Contents
The Queen’s Village: history in brief
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In the heart of the 18th century, while the French court glittered with pomp and magnificence, Queen Marie Antoinette longed to escape the opulence of court life and rediscover the simplicity of country life. Thus was born the idea for the Queen’s Village, an oasis of serenity and rusticity within the vast Versailles estate.
Commissioned in 1783 by architect Richard Mique, the Queen’s Village was designed as a reproduction of a typical Norman village, complete with rural houses, farms, windmills and even an artificial lake.
The village buildings were constructed with great attention to detail, using authentic materials and following the rustic architectural style typical of Normandy. Each building, from the Queen’s Cottage to the Cheese Factory, tells a part of the history of this fascinating place.
ID 36033741 @ Philippehalle | Dreamstime.com
The Queen’s Village soon became Marie Antoinette’s favorite place, where she spent quiet days painting, strolling in the gardens, or attending country parties with her closest friends. This enchanted place, which reflected so well the queen’s desire for a simpler and more authentic life, remains today one of the highlights of a visit to the Palace of Versailles, witnessing an era of splendor and a rebellious soul who longed for a life outside the gilded walls of the court.
During the French Revolution the place was abandoned and the buildings, not being built to last long, soon deteriorated.
In 1810, Napoleon I began work to renovate the Village. The stable and farmhouse were demolished as they were in an advanced state of deterioration, while the other eight buildings were restored to their original state.
Once the Village was restored, Napoleon I gave it to his second wife, the young Empress Marie Louise of Austria. This gift was very symbolic, as Marie Louise was the great-granddaughter of Marie Antoinette.
Marie Antoinette’s estate: what to see
Every nook and cranny of the estate tells a story, whether it is the queen’s private residences, the entertainment venues for the court or the agricultural structures that served to support village life.
To walk through the landscaped gardens, stroll among the farm houses and visit the windmills is to immerse oneself not only in history but also in the character and soul of Marie Antoinette.
With this in mind, let us now explore the main attractions that make up the Marie Antoinette Estate.
The Queen’s Cottage
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The Queen’s Cottage was the heart of the Queen’s Village, reserved exclusively for her. Consisting of two buildings connected by a gallery, here Marie Antoinette could receive guests or rest during her walks in the Village.
Recently restored between 2015 and 2018, the Queen’s Cottage underwent a complete interior renovation.
The current furnishings are those commissioned for Empress Marie Louise in 1810, after Marie Antoinette’s original furniture was dispersed during the Revolution.
The yellow salon
The Yellow Salon is the centerpiece of the Queen’s House, renowned for its magnificence. Decorated with painted silk curtains commissioned for Empress Marie Louise, this space was a symbol of prestige and intimacy.
During Marie Antoinette’s time, the second floor of the House was adorned with luxurious details, such as gilded cornices and white marble fireplaces. To be received in this exclusive setting was considered a great honor, reserved only for a few intimates of the sovereigns.
Here, light meals were served while enjoying music played by a harp or harpsichord, brought especially from the Petit Trianon.
The yellow silk curtains, with intricate decorative patterns, were made by Antoine Vauchelet, a renowned decorator of the time, and delivered to the Empress in 1810.
The dining room
The Dining Room, located on the ground floor of the Queen’s House, represents the heart of the mansion. Here, various meals were prepared in the warming room and then served and eaten by the Queen and her guests.
The structure of the Queen’s House itself resembles a miniature castle, with the service rooms on the ground floor and the ceremonial halls on the second floor.
Much of the original furniture has been restored in accordance with the 1810 inventory, with some equivalent pieces.
The furniture for Empress Marie-Louise was commissioned by Jacob-Desmalter, a famous Parisian cabinetmaker, including the chaise-longue design, very fashionable in the late 18th century.
Bedroom and wardrobe
During Marie Antoinette’s reign, this room was intended for tric trac, a board game popular in the late 18th century, but it was also used as an occasional bedroom for the Queen. Although Marie Antoinette did not spend the night in the Village, she went there to rest during the day.
Adjacent to the bedroom was the wardrobe. It should be noted that the costumes, at Trianon, were considerably simpler than the court dresses.
The “en gaule” dress was the ideal choice for a walk in the Village, featuring a light white fabric, a low neckline, and a fitted line, representing a kind of revolution in court dress.
Maria Luisa’s chaise-longue represents the typical style of Village furniture, understated and comfortable. Upholstered in a fabric embroidered with water lilies, designed by contemporary artist Paul-Armand Gette, it matches perfectly with the armchairs, still upholstered in their original silk, duly restored. The rosette and star motifs on the armchairs are an outstanding example of the style of the First French Empire.
The billiard room
This room on the ground floor was used exclusively for billiards, a game reserved for men in the Village era. The Queen’s House served as a summer recreation place where rulers could relax, entertain guests, eat meals or play games. During the winter, all furniture was removed to preserve it from wear and tear. Thanks to restoration work, the building has been secured and the furniture can now remain permanently in place.
The white parlor
In the small white parlor, Maria Luisa’s understated furnishings and violet wood furniture create an elegant and intimate atmosphere.
At the Trianon, Marie Antoinette preferred simplicity, behaving almost like a “normal” guest to her guests.
According to the memoirs of Madame Campan, the queen’s steward, the women continued to play the piano or embroidery while the men played billiards or tric trac.
All the furnishings in the small white salon are original and Empire in style, characterized by soft lines and an understated design compared to the style of Louis XVI. The bergère armchairs are upholstered in the same fabric as the upholstery, creating an elegant tone-on-tone effect.
The billiard table, a 2006 replica of the Louis XIV table, is surrounded by unusually designed chairs raised by a stool. The other chairs date from the time of King Louis Philippe and follow the same 1810s Empire style.
The Boudoir
The boudoir, also used as a bedroom, represents one of the most intimate rooms in the Queen’s House.
In 1837, the Village became the summer residence of Louis Philippe’s royal family. During this period, several improvements, including the installation of a toilet, were introduced to make the Queen’s House more comfortable.
In the 1960s, the bed in the room was painted blue and moved to a bedroom in the Grand Trianon, which at the time served as the presidential residence under Charles de Gaulle.
Following the 1810 inventory, the bed was restored and stained yellow to match the small lemon wood table. The walls of the room are covered with a teal ribbed fabric of the highest quality.
The keeper’s house
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To ensure the Queen’s safety, both day and night, was the guardian Jean Bersy, whose house was equipped with an underground passageway to enable him to patrol discreetly.
Toward the end of Marie Antoinette’s reign, when her popularity was at its lowest, the number of guards was increased to ensure her protection.
The Dovecote Tower
The Dovecote, one of the six structures for agricultural activities, housed several pairs of pigeons, hens, roosters and chickens, carefully selected by the Queen.
The building also included the chicken coop and living quarters for those in charge of the birds, both located on the ground floor.
Like every building in the Village, the dovecote had its own vegetable garden, where various types of vegetables such as artichokes, cauliflower, green beans, black beans, and peas were grown.
The Marlborough Tower
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The Marlborough Tower, located in the Fisherman’s Lodge, was used to store fishing equipment.
It was named after a famous song composed in 1722 in honor of the English general Marlborough. This song became famous thanks to the author Beaumarchais, who mentioned it in his play “The Marriage of Figaro.”
At Versailles, the Dauphin’s wet nurse, the lively Madame Poitrine, loved to sing it to entertain both the little Dauphin and Queen Marie Antoinette.
The Cheese Factory
The Dairy allowed the Queen and her guests to enjoy cream, fresh cheese, butter and other dairy products produced on the farm. In the 18th century, many aristocratic estates began to have their own farms, highlighting the importance of milk consumption for its benefits.
The windmill
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The windmill was created solely for decorative purposes and was never intended to grind grain. As with all the buildings in the Village, great care was taken with the exterior furnishings and they were carefully painted to achieve a trompe-l’oeil effect.
The use of this technique mimicked ruined joints, peeling siding, and moss-covered walls, creating an illusion of realism that characterizes the entire Village.
Palace of Versailles: Entrance ticket + Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s Village
Buy online. Choose your preferred time. Visit the Palace of Versailles and the halls of the Palace, access the gardens and the Trianon and Marie Antoinette Estate.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
How to visit the Hameau de la Reine (the Queen’s Village)
To fully immerse yourself in the enchanted atmosphere of the Queen’s Village, follow these tips:
Buy tickets in advance
First, be sure to purchase tickets to Marie Antoinette’s Estate, which include access to the Queen’s Village. Booking in advance will allow you to avoid long waits at the ticket offices and secure entry to the village on your day of visit. I recommend these options:
Plan your visit
Before you leave, plan your itinerary to make sure you don’t miss any of the main attractions in the village. You can consult a map of the estate to locate points of interest and plan the best route to explore them all.
Wear comfortable clothing
The Queen’s Village is a rustic, country place, so be sure to wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Comfortable shoes are especially recommended, as you may have to walk on uneven ground.
Take your time
A visit to the Queen’s Village deserves to be savored slowly. Take time to wander among the quaint houses, manicured gardens, and scenic viewpoints, letting the unique atmosphere of this enchanted place wash over you.
Take part in guided tours
If you would like to deepen your knowledge of the village and its history, consider joining a guided tour. Experienced guides will lead you through the village, providing interesting anecdotes and insights into Marie Antoinette’s life and her activities in the village. I recommend this one:
By following these tips, you will have an unforgettable experience at the Queen’s Village, discovering its secrets and being enchanted by its timeless beauty.
Frequently asked questions about the Queen’s Village
Certain categories of visitors can enter the Palace of Versailles for free, including all visitors under the age of 18 and EU citizens under the age of 26.
The gardens of the Palace of Versailles can be visited either with a specific ticket for the gardens or with a combined ticket that includes access to the Palace and its gardens. Many parts of the park are freely accessible. During certain days and times, with the purchase of a special ticket, it is also possible to attend the shows of the Grand Fountains and Musical Gardens, which offer an even more magical experience of the gardens in bloom.
Marie Antoinette, Queen of France in the 18th century, is famous for her lavish and controversial lifestyle as well as her involvement in the turbulent events that led to the French Revolution. She is also known for her interest in fashion, the arts, and culture, as well as for her private residences, including the Queen’s Village at Versailles, where she sought refuge from court life.
I recommend that you book your Visit to Versailles directly from our website. You will have the ability to select the type of ticket you want, choose the date and time of your visit, and proceed with secure online payment. I recommend that you book in advance, especially during peak season, to guarantee your access and avoid long lines at the ticket counters.
Conclusions
Here we have come to the end of our journey through the secrets and wonders of Marie Antoinette’s Estate in Versailles.
We explored the compelling story of the Queen’s Village, a place created to allow Marie Antoinette to escape the rigidity of the court and immerse herself in an authentic country life.
Through its picturesque farmhouses, manicured gardens and unique points of interest, we relived the atmosphere of the 18th century and discovered intimate details of the queen’s life.
In the what to see section, we took a virtual tour through the village’s most significant attractions, including the Mill, the Boudoir, the Queen’s Cottage, and many other fascinating buildings that exude history and rustic charm.
I know you have been wondering how to visit the Queen’s Village, so I have provided you with practical tips on how to plan your visit, purchase tickets in advance, and fully enjoy the experience without stress.
Finally, I have answered the most frequently asked questions regarding free admission to Versailles, visiting the gardens, Marie Antoinette fame, and the process of booking tickets.
Whether you are a history buff, an art lover, or a traveler looking for new experiences, Marie Antoinette’s Estate at Versailles offers a unique and unforgettable experience that will leave you spellbound.
If you still have any doubts about the Queen’s Village, please feel free to leave a comment below.
On the other hand, if you are ready to go, book your ticket now and enjoy a rustic and unforgettable experience at the famous Marie Antoinette Estate!
Palace of Versailles: Entrance Ticket + Trianon and Marie-Antoinette’s Estate
Purchase online. Choose your preferred time. Visit the Palace of Versailles and the halls of the Palace, access the gardens and the Trianon and Marie Antoinette Estate.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
