Napoleon
originally gave the Petit Trianon to his favourite sister Pauline.
When he married Marie-Louise, he decided she should have it. He thought it would be appropriate as she was Marie-Antoinette’s great niece.
In fact, Marie-Louise loved the Petit Trianon, not because of its association with her tragic relative, but because it reminded her of the Chateau of Laxenbourg in Austria, a smaller private castle in Austria where she and her brothers and sisters spent time with her father. Like the Petit Trianon, it also had an English Garden, Temple of Diana and so on.
Marie-Louise moved into Marie-Antoinette’s bedchamber which she had completely redecorated.
The simple boiserie walls from Marie-Antoinette’s time were no longer visible. The ceiling was covered with white satin and gold lame coming from a central gold dome. The wall covering was sky blue satin with gold braid, the same fabric as on the bed and furniture. The window curtains were white muslin embroidered with gold. The bed and furniture were gilded wood.
The bed was decorated with swan’s necks (a little reminiscent of Josephine’s new bed at Malmaison) and the bed’s exterior sky blue silk curtains were held back by gilded winged figures. It was very similar to the Empress’ bed in Compiègne. Compared with Marie-Antoinette’s simple furniture in the bedroom, it was OTT and far too grand for the setting.
Marie-Louise did not disappoint Napoleon and delivered the much hoped for son and heir less than 12 months after their first meeting at Compiègne.
Napoleon chose to celebrate their wedding and the birth of their son with the “Fête” of the Empress in August 1811 at the Petit Trianon with a gala dinner at the Grand Trianon. Marie-Antoinette’s theatre had been restored and there was an play and ballet performed there. The Hamlet had also been restored. Napoleon and Marie-Louise were able to walk around the garden which was filled with the sound of music.
Napoleon’s plan to restore Versailles as an imperial residence was back in focus. New silk was ordered from Lyon and a new apartment for the “Children of France” was planned.
Being married to Marie-Antoinette’s niece and having a son and heir—Napoleon was prepared to launch a new era for Versailles. He would not have enough time to make it happen.
*When Louis Philippe’s new daughter-in-law, the Duchess of Orleans took over the Petit Trianon more than 20 years later, she re-used the furniture from Marie-Louise’ bedroom with the exception of the bed, which was sent to the Tuileries Palace. She recovered the sky blue and gold upholstery with the blue which is currently displayed.
