Tea at Trianon: Le Grand Contrôle

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Le Grand Contrôle

Opening for business in the spring! From LTM:

Airelles is offering a ‘first-look’ at the eagerly-awaited Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle which is set to open its doors in spring 2020. Tipped to be The hotel opening of next year, Le Grand Contrôle will mark the fourth property for the prestigious hotel collection which comprises Les Airelles in Courchevel, La Bastide in Gordes and, as of next month, Mademoiselle in Val d’Isere.

Set within the grounds of the iconic Château de Versailles with views over the Orangerie, the Pièce d’Eau des Suisses and The Palace, Le Grand Contrôle will be the only hotel of its kind in the world, featuring 14 luxurious rooms and suites, a signature Alain Ducasse restaurant with terrace, bar, restorative spa by Valmont and a 15 metre indoor swimming pool. Guests will be able to retrace the footsteps of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette unencumbered, with exclusive experiences in The Palace and grounds.

As was customary at the time, the larger suites will be located on the lower floors, including a 120 m2 signature Suite, complete with four poster bed, striking chandelier, spacious bathroom with views onto the Orangerie garden and a generous living area. Also on the first floor, will be The Grand Salon providing an inspiring place to relax, read a book or simply take in the majestic 18^th century surroundings. (Read more.)