LOUIS XVI
When Louis XV’s son died at the age of 36, next in line to the throne was his 11 year old grandson Louis-Auguste.
Louis-Auguste married Marie-Antoinette, daughter of the Austrian Empress, in the Chapel of Versailles. He was 16 and she was 14. The wedding celebrations took place in the chateau’s newly completed Opera House.
Four years later, almost to the day, he became King Louis XVI when his grandfather died unexpectedly of small pox.
Like Louis XV, he actually slept in the private bedroom nearby that his grandfather had created.
Next to the private bed, he transformed the “cabinet de Garde-robe” (very fancy toilet) into a work of art, regarded as one of the most outstanding decors of his reign.
Louis XV had already installed the “Garde-robe” next to the bed in his private bedchamber.
It was one of a number of toilets and bathrooms he had created in Versailles. Apart from the aspect of cleanliness, there was a large emphasis on privacy. He was not like his great-grandfather Louis XIV in terms of living his life largely in public. Louis XV retreated to his garde-robe for some peace and quiet.
The toilet next to his private bedroom was a very fancy affair. It was a “chaise à l’anglaise” (early version of a flushing toilet). The seat had a velvet cushion.
During the day the Garde-robe cabinet housed the king’s bedside table which was only brought out at night. There were beautiful vases containing pot-pourri (one is displayed on the cabinet between the windows).
Louis XVI decided to renovate the “cabinet” the year before the French Revolution. It is a magnificent little room with beautiful gilded boiseries representing sciences, arts, agriculture, war and the navy.
It was not the bathroom. The bath was elsewhere, but interestingly it was literally the “powder room” where Louis XVI powdered his hair.
The King’s bedroom at the Petit Trianon is decorated as it was in the time of Louis XVI.
However unlike his grandfather Louis XV, he did not stay overnight at the Petit Trianon.
He returned to his own bed in the main chateau each night. This bed was probably used by his sister, Madame Elisabeth.