Often associated with a lavish reputation, she spent much of her life in Paris and Versailles and left her mark on some of the most beautiful Parisian monuments. I am happy to let you discover some of them.
On the 16th of October in 1793, Marie Antoinette, the wife of Louis XVI and the Queen of France, was executed by revolutionaries in Paris. Before dying, she pronounced the following words: “I am calm like we are like when we have nothing to be ashamed of “. It gives a small idea of how proud she was and to what extent she was able to manage her feeling until the end. Often associated with a lavish reputation, she spent much of her life in Paris and left her mark on some of the most beautiful Parisian monuments. I am happy to let you discover some of them.
The royal palace (1st district)
One of the key landmarks associated with Marie Antoinette is the old Palais-Royal which you might know now as the current Louvre Museum (house of famous masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa), where she resided after her marriage. This elegant palace was the place where she learned all about French culture and language, given that she was not born French. Actually, she came from Austria when she was only 14 to marry the future king of France.
THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES (NEAR PARIS)
The Palace of Versailles stands as a symbol of the grandeur and excess of the French monarchy, and it played a central role in Marie Antoinette's life. As you explore its magnificent halls and gardens, you can imagine the queen's presence within these elaborate surroundings, where she embraced the trappings of luxury and courtly etiquette. She enjoyed gambling and playing billiards away from the court. Within the vast estate of Versailles lies the Petit Trianon, a small palace that became Marie Antoinette's refuge. This intimate retreat allowed the queen to escape the constraints of court life and indulge in her own desires.
THE CONCIERGERIE
In the heart of Paris, the Conciergerie reminds us of Marie Antoinette's tragic fate during the French Revolution. This former royal palace turned prison became her place of captivity before her execution. She was jailed between the second and third towers. At this precise location, a chapel named after her was built to remember her tragic sentence.
PLACE DE LA CONCORDE
In the Place de la Concorde, once known as Place de la Revolution, Marie Antoinette faced the guillotine–like many other nobles and revolutionaries. At the time, no legitimate reason could be held against her to sentence her to death like the rest of her family. Revolutionaries hated her for her luxurious life and the monarchy she represented. Thus, they accused her of heresy for having an affair with her child, among other things.
.webp)
By exploring the significant landmarks associated with Marie Antoinette, we gain a deeper understanding of the extraordinary life she led. She liked spending her money and living a life full of excess, but she was known for her big heart, worrying about famine and the security of the people. Visit these monuments and make your own opinion!
.png){kind=icon}
-100.png){kind=small}
.png)
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
