Louis XV started construction on the Petit Trianon in 1762. He built it for Madame de Pompadour, who had ceased being his mistress more than ten years earlier. She maintained a strong friendship with the King, becoming even more influential after the affair finished.
She had the idea to build the smaller neo-classical chateau in the grounds of the Grand Trianon, overlooking the King’s beloved botanical garden. It was designed as a private get-away to enjoy for the day, rather than a residence. The décor was simple, without all the gilding normally associated with royal residences. The motifs were all about gardens.
Louis XV was very involved with the project and regularly visited the construction site.
By the time it was completed in 1768 Madame de Pompadour had died.
Louis XV had taken recently up with a new mistress, Madame du Barry. It was she who would accompany the King to the Petit Trianon.
The majority of the “noble” floor was taken up with spaces for dining—the antichamber “salle des buffets”, grand dining room and small dining room. There was also a grand salon. The series of small rooms on the other side were the King’s “retreat”, for his private use — the corner room contained an area where the King could make his own coffee and a staircase leading directly from the garden. The centre room was his private retreat and there was a toilet and botanical library.
Louis XV’s bedroom was on the top floor. He originally had a “lit à la Turque”. This was later replaced by a bed “à la polonaise” with the red and white silk decorated with Chinese motifs.
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.
