In 1781 Marie-Antoinette was pregnant for the second time. She was convinced the child would be a son — the highly desired Dauphin.
She had her favourite architect Richard Mique design a boudoir directly behind her official bedchamber which was a celebration of the anticipated birth. The emblems on the boiseries included symbols of marital love and dolphins (Dauphin is French for dolphin).
It turned out Marie-Antoinette was right. A month after her new boudoir was completed she did indeed give birth to the desired dauphin.
To ensure privacy, the architect had to create a new walkway so that the staff did not have to cross the boudoir.
Marie-Antoinette spent as much time as she could in this delicious private little (14 sq meter) space.
She often escaped to the day bed (“meridienne”) there.
