Ruling Etiquette at the Petit Trianon

In order to give the reader a more adequate idea of the beautiful surroundings of the pretty little palace of the “Petit Trianon” one must go back to the magnificence of Versailles, trace it down from the time of Louis XIV through the restored Bourbons in their endeavors to replace the vestiges of ancient royalty…

The Petit Trianon

The Favorite Resort of 

Queen Marie Antoinette of France

In order to give the reader a more adequate idea of the beautiful surroundings of the pretty little palace of the “Petit Trianon” one must go back to the magnificence of Versailles, trace it down from the time of Louis XIV through the restored Bourbons in their endeavors to replace the vestiges of ancient royalty; Napoleon, in the plenitude of his power; Louis Philippe in his restoration and augmentation of the material glories of Versailles; Napoleon III in his attempts to enact the part of a “Grand Monarque”; the translation of the Palace of Versailles into the “Musee Historique”; the gardens and the park; the Orangerie; Parterre d’Eau; Basin of the Pyramids; Baths of Diana; Basin de Neptune; Basin de Dragon; the Tapis Vert with its Basin d’Apollon; the Labyrinth; Bosquet de la Reine the Grand Trianon.

The Grand Trianon is simply an elaboration of the Trianon of Porcelain. It is the chateau made famous by being the place where the trial of Marshal Bazaine took place in 1873. To its left is the pretty palace of the “Petit Trianon.” It is a handsome edifice, of a smiling aspect, quite small, and more like a gentleman’s country residence than a royal palace. Louis XV built it to please Mme. DuBarry, and often went there to forget the annoyances of that royalty of France which was so heavy when was idle. In the dining-room it more than once happened that Louis XV, urged to it by the vivacity of the discourse, was obliged to strike upon the table, saying, “The King, gentlemen.” Suddenly, each one would return to the attitude of respect.

Another time, in a moment of good humor, Louis XV gave a box on the ear to M. de Richelieu, who was seated at his right hand. He was certainly in a delicate position. What should he do? How should he behave? How prevent himself from being vexed and looking red? And, on the other hand, how receive such an affront without complaining? M. de Richelieu recovered from his astonishment and gave the blow to his next neighbor, saying, “The King wishes it to pass around!” The blow passed, but we have yet to understand how the gentleman who was seated on the King’s left hand extricated himself from the difficulty.

Louis XV gave the Petit Trianon to Marie Antoinette, and it became her favorite residence. To this turf, which she pressed with so light a step, the Queen of France came to forget the ennui and etiquette of royal majesty. Once at the Petit Trainon, the lovely Queen felt more happy. All her diadem was the flowers of her garden; she held, with a joyous hand, the light crook; in her Swiss dairy, which is still standing on the banks of a little brook, she herself prepared – with such delightful awkwardness – the milk of her cows! Poor Queen! How much she must afterward have regretted the sun, the waters, the flowers, the cream, and the strawberries, the sheep and the heifers of the Petit Trianon. – The San Francisco Call, 1891

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette of Evolving Royal Courts

But everyone knew the family patriarch was a hostler! – Joachim-Napoléon Murat was a Marshal of France and Admiral of France under the reign of Napoleon. He was also the 1st Prince Murat, Grand Duke of Berg from 1806 to 1808, and King of Naples from 1808 to 1815. Murat was Napoleon’s brother-in-law (through marriage to his younger sister, Caroline Bonaparte). He was noted as a daring, brave, and charismatic cavalry officer as well as a flamboyant dresser, for which he was known as “the Dandy King.”

Of Other Matters, Other Courts and That of France

The King of Portugal has gone home enlightened and follows the example of Italy and Belgium. He has removed tbe trammels from the press, and proposed a system of public instruction by which education may be universally diffused. In Sweden, the uniform worn upon state occasions is red. The other day a Minister attended some important ceremony in an ordinary suit of black, saying to the King, “As the nobility have been deprived of their last privileges it is not worth while to appear in court dress.” “NO,” replied the King, “it is of no consequence whatever, and if you choose to come in white it is all the same to me.” In Sweden and Denmark the pomp and parade of State ceremonies are not considered of much more importance than in republican Switzerland. In Italy and Belgium it is nearly the same. 

The Emperor of France is very rigid about some points of etiquette, but his regime is by no means so formidable as that of Louis XIV ; but there are a few in France and every country of Europe whose ancestors fluttered at the court of this haughty Monarch, who regret more than anything else the hauteur and exclusiveness which they believe his lineal descendants would have retained in the circles of the Tuileries. At a mask ball, not long ago, the famous Marquis de Boissy wore a coat in which his grandfather had appeared at the Court of Louis XV. The Prince Murat remarked to him that it was very funny at the present day. The Marquis replied that if all who were there had worn the coats of their grandfathers, some would nave been more funny than his. The grandfather of the Prince, as every one knows, was a hostler. – Letter from Paris, 1866

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and the Petit Trianon

Built by Louis XV of France, the Petit Trianon was not only an escape for Marie Antoinette from the formality of French Court life, but it also allowed her to shake off the burden of her many Royal responsibilities. She was under considerable pressure and judgement at Versailles, from both the Royal Court, but her family. The Petit Trianon was her place of leisure, where she could rest from the etiquette and formality of her life at Versailles. Since all was “de par la Reine” (by order of the Queen), no one, including her husband Louis XVI, were permitted to disturb her there or enter the property, without the Queen's express permission. This exclusivity alienated Royal Court Nobility, and allowed only the Queen's close inner circle (including Gabrielle de Polastron, the Duchesse de Polignac, and Princess de Lamballe) to be invited.

The Petit Trianon

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The Favorite Resort of Queen Marie Antoinette of France

Louis XVI gave the Petit Trianon to Marie Antoinette, and it became her favorite residence. To this turf, which she pressed with so light a step, the Queen of France came to forget the ennui and etiquette of Royal Majesty. Once at the Petit Trainon, the lovely Queen felt more happy. All her diadem was the flowers of her garden; she held, with a joyous hand, the light crook; in her Swiss dairy, which is still standing on the banks of a little brook, she herself prepared— with such delightful awkwardness—the milk of her cows! Poor Queen! How much site must afterward have regretted the sun, the waters, the flowers, the cream, and the strawberries, the sheep and the heifers of the Petit Trianon.– San Francisco Call, 1891

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Broken Etiquette Gave Us Fans

Secret fan codes and fan languages never really existed in the etiquette books of old. They were created in the latter Victorian Era as a clever marketing device to increase the sale of fans. The promotion of the fictional language and codes worked, and sales of fans briefly increased.

The Origin of Fans

Fans are the cheapest luxury of the day. The Chinese have given us an article, well made of bamboo and embellished paper, that may be had for two nickels. When the cost of importation is considered, the pay of labor in China is apparent. 

Fans are said to have originated in China 3,000 years ago. At a feast of lanterns the lovely Kansi found the heat so oppressive that, contrary to all etiquette, she took off her mask. Partly to hide ber blushes, and partly to cool her heated face, she agitated the mask before her nose. The thing became epidemic. Ten thousand hands at once held ten thousand masks, and fanning became a fact. 

The fan was used as a standard in war, and in peace the fan assisted tbe priests in the temple, both to raising a cooling breeze and to guard the stored offerings from the contamination of noxious insects. In Egypt the fan of the priest of Isis was made of feathers of different lengths, spread out in the form of a semicircle, but pointed at tbe top. It was waved by a female slave. Amoug the Romans, slaves cooled the room and kept away the flies during meal time with fans. 

In the days of Louis XIV and XV, fans glistened with gilding and gems, and were ornamented by Boucher and Watteau. These works of art were often sold at as high a figure as $75. The Chinese and French are the great rivals in fan making. To such a degree of excellence has it arrived in France, that a fan selling for one cent goes through twenty different operations, performed by as many pairs of hands.— Los Angeles Herald, 1878

🌹Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and Louis XV's Court Dance

Dancing the minuet– The minuet became a most fashionable dance in the 17th and 18th centuries.

An 18th century formal ball was one of the very limited opportunities at which a young lady could increase her chances of meeting suitors and finding a husband. A complete knowledge of etiquette and social codes, along with a graceful carriage and fine dress, was necessary to making the most advantageous match.

“Delighted with the minuet, Louis XV made it the special dance of the French royal court— and it was at court that the dance acquired it's exquisite grace and beauty.” –Lillian Eichler

Etiquette Enthusiast,  Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia