The Queen's Hamlet
- Resize down
- Resize up
Marie-Antoinette’s reconfiguration of the Trianon gardens can be divided into two distinct phases. The first, starting in 1777, corresponds to the creation of theEnglish Gardens. Subsequently, in 1783, she tasked Richard Mique with extending the gardens to the north and building a whole model village around an artificial lake. Work began in the summer of 1783 and was completed in 1786. The Queen’s Hamlet does not belong to any particular style, combining as it does various influences from rural architecture, but it does succeed in creating a sense of aesthetic coherency. The cottages are set on the eastern bank of the lake, arranged in a crescent formation which is ideally viewed from across the water.
history of the premises
Richard Mique divided the hamlet into three distinct spaces. The first, to the south of the stone bridge which spans the stream, contains the reception facilities: the windmill (whose wheel is purely decorative), the boudoir, the Queen’s House, the billiard room and the stove room. These are cottages whose rustic exteriors concealed interiors which were carefully-decorated and often richly furnished, where the queen could host small parties of guests invited to join her on the Trianon estate. On the other side of the bridge stand the structures actually used for agricultural purposes: the barn, the working dairy, the model dairy, the fisherman’s cottage and the guard house. The tower overlooking the lake was named the ‘Marlborough Tower’, in reference to a popular song of the day. Further down the bank stands the farm, which was a going concern until the onset of the Revolution, complete with stables, pig sty, sheep pen and hen house. Contrary to the deeply-entrenched public image ofMarie-Antoinette, the queen and her entourage did not “play at being farmers” amidst these bucolic surroundings, complete with sheep trussed up in ribbons. The queen actually used the hamlet as a place for relaxing walks, or to host small gatherings. The fact that the hamlet was also a functioning farm, a point upon which the queen insisted, meant that it served an educational role for theroyal children.
During theRevolution, the Hamlet had quite a rough time. Built without much thought for longevity, as was the norm for such follies, the cottages aged badly and were damaged by bad weather.Napoleonordered a full restoration between 1810 and 1812, but in doing so had the most dilapidated structures torn down, including the barn and the working dairy. A second campaign of restoration work saved the hamlet from certain ruin in the 1930s, thanks to a donation from John Rockefeller. Part of the hamlet was restored once again in the late 20th century, with some buildings (including the windmill) returned to their original configuration. The farm, which almost totally disappeared over the course of the 19th century, was reconstructed in 2006 and is now home to a variety of animals looked after by the Foundation for Animal Welfare.
Estate of Trianon's leaflet
The estate of Trianon's leaflet is free and available for free at the entrance.
The Queen's Hamlet in 3D
Discover the other 3D views of the Hamlet
BUY YOUR TICKET
The interior of Queen's House is accessible only on a guided tour
Passport
This ticket gives access to the wholeestate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and the Gardens). Book online and enter to the Palace in the half hour following the chosen time.
It includes :
- thePalacewith timed entry;
- theestate of Trianon;
- thetemporary exhibitions;
- the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend);
- theRoyal Tennis Court;
- the Gardens (until 31 October, single admission during the Musical Gardens orMusical Fountains Show, ticket valid for one entry);
- thePark.
To make the most of the Estate of Versailles, the Gardens are open from 8am, the Estate of Trianon from 12pm, the Gallery of Coaches from 12.30pm.
The gardens close exceptionally at 5.30pm on Saturdays during The Night Fountains Show from June 7th to September 20th, as well as on Saturday May 24th, Monday July 14th, Friday August 15th and October 26th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st.
Estate of Trianon ticket
This ticket guarantees access to the estate of Trianon (including theGrand Trianon, thePetit Trianon, theQueen's Hamlet and their gardens) starting at noon.
It includes access to :
- theestate of Trianon;
- thetempory exibitions presented there;
- the Gallery of Coaches (every weekend);
- theRoyal Tennis Court;
- the Gardens (from 1 November to 30 March only)- to access the Gardens before 1 November, you need a Passport ticket or a Gardens ticket;
- thePark.
ThePassportguarantees access to the Estate of Versailles (Palace, Estate of Trianon and the Gardens).
Tickets can be purchased on site subject to availability.
Rates
- Motor deficiencies
- Hearing impaired
- Mental disabilities
- Visual impairment
Guided Tour
Marie-Antoinette at Trianon
Explore the Petit Trianon, a place where Marie-Antoinette could for one moment flee the Etiquette and enjoy nature.
Marie-Antoinette at Trianon
Read more
In 1774, the Queen received the Petit Trianon as a gift from Louis XVI. The Estate became her own kingdom. Free from official etiquette, she created a world that better suited her personality and the fashions of the time.
The day of your visit, come to the Petit Trianon
Tour in French
