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

Napoleonic Court Etiquette

The Emperor holds what is called an “audience” every Sunday morning, when he is in Paris. This is a fashion of receiving which was abolished by the Revolution and restored by Napoleon I. In 1830 it again fell, and was re-established in 1852 by Napoleon III. With the “audience” fell and rose the offices of Chamberlains — persons especially charged with all that concerns the interior household of the Sovereign. 

The French Court

The Paris correspondent of the New York Tribune, writing January 27th, says: The Emperor, had he desired to foreshadow anything like a rupture of amicable relations with the United States, had an opportunity to do so at the Imperial Ball at the Tuileries on Wednesday evening last. Instead, however, of doing that, he departed from usage and relinquished a point of etiquette in order to render more agreeable the position of our representative at this Court. A Charge d'Affaires, being accredited to the Minister of Foreign Affairs only and not to the Sovereign, is not supposed to have any communication with the latter. 

At the presentations at the Tuileries, the Charge d’ Affaires does not introduce his countrymen directly to the Emperor, but simmers his introduction through a Chamberlain who stands between his Majesty and the Charge. This has always been the case before, and there was no reason to suppose that the rule would be departed from on Wednesday evening. When the Emperor entered the room in which the diplomatic corps were gathered, he addressed a few words to Lord Cowley, who stood at the head of the line, made a remark to the Italian Minister, and then forced his way along until he came to Bigelow, who occupied a position nearly at the foot. He held out his hand to Bigelow and expressed his gratification at seeing him, and complimented him upon his good standing with the United States Government, which so promptly placed him in the position which he occupied. He then addressed a few words to Mrs. Bigelow— asked her how long she had been here, and passed on. 

The Emperor addressed his remarks to Mr. and Mrs. Bigelow in English, although fortunately they, unlike most of their predecessors, speak excellent French. In the presentation ceremony no Chamberlain stood between the Emperor and Bigelow, who introduced, our countrymen directly to his Majesty. This was certainly an unusual and entirely unexpected proceeding, and may be explained as, in part, an evidence of good feeling towards our Government, and in part a high personal compliment to the occupant of the position of Charge d' Affaires.– Life in Paris, Sacramento Union, 1865

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

The Emperor’s Audience Etiquette

“The Chamberlain tells him when to advance and when to retreat, and the Emperor is so gracious that, expecting to be frightened out of his senses, he is most happy to find that good manners are the same everywhere, in palace and in cottage, with the prince and the peasant.” – French Hussars in Napoleonic Uniforms, from Pinterest

The Emperor holds what is called an “audience” every Sunday morning, when he is in Paris. This is a fashion of receiving which was abolished by the Revolution and restored by Napoleon I. In 1830 it again fell, and was re-established in 1852 by Napoleon III. With the “audience” fell and rose the offices of Chamberlains — persons especially charged with all that concerns the interior household of the Sovereign. There are eleven Chamberlains, and seventeen who have the titles and honors without performing any particular duty. In the olden times, it was the first officers with this title who handed to the King the first article of toilet on rising in the morning, as it was the first Lady of Honor who performed the same service for the Queen, and we presume this is one of the fashions which does not change!

In order to obtain an audience it is necessary first to obtain permission by letter. When one possesses the proper credentials, he appears at the door of the Palace of the Tuileries, and hands his letter to a hussar, who is clothed in black, with a silver chain around his neck. When he has examined it and is satisfied that it is authentic, he ushers the bearer into a grand hall, in the center of which is a miniature column, in bronze, of the one which towers upon the Place Vendôme. Here they wait a little, and are then introduced into the reception room, where they are received by the Chamberlains, clothed in red, with gold keys embroidered upon their breasts. If there are many persons, they are placed in a row to wait till the Emperor enters, preceded by hussars and followed by his État Major. 

He passes along the line, bowing to each, till he arrives at the head, when he stops and converses with the person, who has some favor to ask or someone to propose, and is so situated that no other one present can hear what is said, though not far off. He wears on these occasions, the military costume of General of Division, with the grand cross of the Legion of Honor, and is said to listen very patiently to all who come, and to promise uniformly to think of them afterwards. The costume of gentlemen who seek this favor must be invariably in black, with white cravat and white gloves. The Chamberlain tells him when to advance and when to retreat, and the Emperor is so gracious that, expecting to be frightened out of his senses, he is most happy to find that good manners are the same everywhere, in palace and in cottage, with the prince and the peasant. – Letter from Paris, 1866

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

Etiquette of France's Imperial Court

Napoleon III — In 1866, Napoleon had to face mounting Prussian power, as Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, under Prussian leadership, sought German unification. In July 1870, with no allies and with inferior military forces, Napoleon entered the Franco-Prussian War. The French army was quickly defeated. Napoleon III was captured at the Battle of Sedan,  and the French Third Republic was proclaimed in Paris. Napoleon went into exile in England. He died there in 1873.

Letter from Paris

(From Our Resident Correspondent)

Paris — January 23, 1866

The French are a very elastic people. They lean to and accept any form of government that is offered to them with the greatest complacency. A few years back they had a Republic, in all its simplicity, and now they have an Empire, to which they appear to be perfectly devoted: at least, all exigencies are observed, if not relished by them.

The first places at the Imperial Court are solicited by the oldest nobility; and inferior, and even high stations, are filled by those who were once staunch Republicans. There are no less than eleven Chambellans in full activity, and seventeen honorary ones, aspiring to become regular officials many of which are occupied by the first names of the Faubourg St. Germain, the old aristocratic quarter of Paris.

To have an audience of His Majesty is a work of tact and time. It is generally of a Sunday that audiences are granted to those who solicit them, and the ceremony is performed with all due state decorum and etiquette, and you are ushered into the Imperial presence by silver chained ushers, (Huissiers) after having first been handed over to the Grand Chambellan, who at the present moment bears an Imperial name, that of Bassano, who is Duke and Senator. Such is the Imperial Franco risen out of the Republic of as short-lived a notoriety. —The Daily Alta California, 1866

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