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Woman in French costume in Versailles

Channeling Marie Antoinette at Costumes and Chateaux in Versailles

Luxury travel blog » Places to Travel » Europe Travel » France » Channeling Marie Antoinette at Costumes and Chateaux in Versailles
January 10, 2017 by Carol Perehudoff

This post may contain affiliate links.

Looking for a fun activity in Versailles? What about a photo shoot? Immerse yourself in the 18th-century French court by channeling Marie Antoinette at Costumes and Chateaux in Versailles.

Chanelling Marie Antoinette in Versailles Costumes & Chateaux

 

Channeling Marie Antoinette

Have I mentioned I’m very elegant? So was Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, with her ornate court dresses and elaborate ‘poufs’ – towering hairstyles that incorporated anything from ostrich plumes to a scene of the Garden of Love, complete with trellises and courtiers. Is it any wonder then, that while I’m visiting Versailles, home to the most lavish palace in France, I’ve decided to embrace all things ornate and luxe?

Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette Queen of France

An experiential attraction in Versailles

I’m going to start by channeling Marie Antoinette, or at least one of her select few besties (preferably one who survived the French Revolution) during a photo shoot at a chic boutique and studio called Costumes and Chateaux in Versailles. Located on Louis Plaza across from the looming Cathedral of St Louis, it sells exquisite artisanal items and specializes in costume rentals and photo shoots with period 18th-century outfits – an ideal way to get into the spirit of aristocratic Versailles.

Costumes and Chateaux in Versailles
Clementine Chaumereuil shows off her one-of-a-kind girls’ dresses for sale in the shop

Costumes and Chateaux in Versailles

Breathless from taking a wrong turn and doing a panicked speed walk down the last few streets, I leap into the shop a few minutes late for my appointment with owner, Clementine Chaumereuil. Fanning my face I stare in delight at this cluttered shop of wonders. Wigs, hats and jewelry perch on shelves. Elaborate outfits for men, children and women hang on the wall.

Best of all is the rack of dresses in as many hues as there are flowers in Versailles’ English Garden. If it weren’t for my jeans and boots, I’d feel like Marie Antoinette stepping into her private boudoir.

Court dresses of Versailles at Costumes and Chateaux
I’m in dress heaven

Marie Antoinette’s wardrobe

Even Costumes and Chateaux, of course, can’t compare to Marie Antoinette’s vast wardrobe, which filled three entire rooms at Versailles. Considering she changed three times a day, and required a constant stream of new fashions, it’s easy to see how the ruffles would stack up.

Since I’ll only be wearing one dress I have trouble narrowing it down. At first I’m drawn to a floral pink, as I know Marie Antoinette was fond of floral scents, then my eyes land on an irresistible dove grey.

Now if I could just get it over my head.

Marie Antoinette’s gazette des atours

Luckily my ladies maid the cheerful shop assistant, Marie, comes to my rescue as I slide into a voluminous crinoline and struggle to slip the dress over my head. It’s not easy, but it’s nothing like the formal ritual Marie Antoinette had to go through each day. After choosing her day’s outfits from her gazette des atours, a fat book containing fabric swatches from each of her gowns, she would be dressed with the aid of the highest-ranking noblewoman while the lesser noblewomen watched.

Is it any wonder she rebelled from the strict rules of the French court and preferred to spend time with her closest courtiers at Trianon Palace, her private retreat on the Versailles grounds?

Trianon Palace Marie Antoinette in Versailles
Trianon Palace – Keep out!

 

Marie Antoinette was a fashion icon

A true fashionista, Marie Antoinette dedicated much of her time and energy to fashion. Some put this down to her shallowness and immaturity, others believe that as a foreigner (she was Austrian) and a mere young woman at the sophisticated French court, it was the only thing in her life she could control. Whatever the reason, she relished her regular meetings with her dressmaker and stylist, Rose Bertin, who became a confidant and friend.

Pin me! I won’t scream

Get into the spirit of Marie Antoinette with a photo shoot at Costumes & Chateaux in Versailles

Rose Bertin, the power behind the fashion throne

Perhaps the Queen was too devoted to Bertin. While the dressmaker kept Marie Antoinette ahead of the fashion curve (and is, in fact, considered the world’s first celebrity stylist), it was a doomed partnership. Bertin’s astronomical prices spawned mutterings of Marie Antoinette’s excessive spending while people went hungry, and courtiers were angry and jealous a commoner such as Bertin had such a close association with the Queen.

When Marie Antoinette’s star fell, so did Bertin’s, who fled Paris in 1792.

Handmade hats at Costumes & Chateaux Versailles
Hats off to photo shoots!

Costumes & Chateaux, a Versailles original

It’s a sobering reminder not to get too caught up in frivolous things such as fashion, and even Marie Antoinette would come to champion the simple muslin chemise (more for comfort than economy), but just this once (oh, who am I kidding?) I let myself get seduced by the rustle of silk and brocade. And, since Bertin, I mean, Costumes & Chateaux owner Clementine Chaumereuil, makes all the dresses right here in Versailles, it’s practically an essential cultural activity, is it not? I’m doing it for France!

Costumes and Chateaux Versailles wigs
Artisanal wigs

Hairstyles during Marie Antoinette’s time at Versailles

Next comes the wig crafted by the wigmaker for the Comedie Francais in Paris. According to Clementine the French court at that time preferred light hair. “But they didn’t have L’Oréal!” she says. “They bought hair from Nordic countries.”

It was Marie Antoinette’s personal hairstylist, Leonard Autié, who created the fantastical high hairdos Marie Antoinette became famous for. These lofty and expensive ‘poufs’ quickly caught on, causing more than one socialite to go into debt, and furthering criticisms against the spendthrift Queen. And while the wigs I try aren’t quite as elaborate as the Coiffure à la Belle-Poule, a creation that celebrated the victorious naval battle of the frigate, La Belle Poule, by sporting a ship complete with masts, rigging, and guns, it’s more fanciful than any hairstyle I’ve ever worn.

What to do in Versailles, costume photo shoot
So nice of you to drop by my palace

A costumed photo shoot in Versailles

The photo shoot itself is hysterical. I’m lounging on divans, posing in hats, pouting with umbrellas and simpering with cake while Clementine works the camera. It’s as over the top as the 18th-century French court itself and, while Marie Antoinette detested the relentless attention focused on her as queen, I’m enjoying my royal moment, and keep thinking it would be such a fun thing to do as a couple on a romantic weekend in Versailles.

Costumes and Chateaux Versailles
Window dressing

The French Revolution

I feel a bit Cinderella-after-the-ball-ish when it’s over, stripped of my wig, ruffles and finery. I’m far better off than Marie Antoinette, however, who, having become a hated symbol for the excesses of the monarchy, was stripped of her finery permanently. In 1973, a victim of the French Revolution, she faced the guillotine in a modest white cotton dress and black petticoat, her hair shorn and covered with a simple lace cap – the days of being France’s fashion icon over forever.

 

About Costumes & Chateaux in Versailles

Costumes & Chateaux is located at 1 Place Saint Louis 0 7008 Versailles. Tel: 01 71 41 07 95. It’s within easy walking distance of both the train station and the Palace of Versailles. Prices vary depending on what package you choose but start around 40€ pp.

Opening hours. Costumes & Châteaux is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The photo studio is open Tuesday through Saturday. Photo shoots are done by appointment only and can be done in the evening from 7 p.m. to to 9 p.m.

Visit the Costumes and Chateaux website for more information.

The store and studio does photo shoots, costume rentals for grand Versailles balls (I want to go to a grand Versailles ball!), and sells one-of-a-kind dresses for children. How would that be for a Versailles souvenir?

My studio shoot at Costumes & Chateaux was complimentary (thanks very much!) and was organized by the tourism office. For more information on Versailles Tourism visit the official website.

Photo credit: All photos of moi were taken by Costumes & Chateaux.

 

 

Category: France

About Carol Perehudoff

A former freelance travel columnist for the Toronto Star, Carol has won more than 30 writing awards and honours. A spa and luxury travel expert, she’s written for top travel publications around the globe.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carol Perehudoff

    Great comment, Joyce. My niece went to the ball at Versailles this year and said it was amazing. I’d love to try it out, slippery floors and all.

  2. Joyce Belfort

    Such amazing story telling and all that history buff stuff~~~ You looked fabulous in that lilac dress. I am soooo very interested in doing this.

    I visit Versailles Palace like every month *LOL* (annual card member and live in Paris). The masquerade ball looks very enticing, but I am not sure if I can survive in the costume for the party. The entrance fee starts at around 100 euro, plus need to rent a proper baroque costume (probably another 200 euro) to get through the gate. I can already visualise me tumbling down the stairs before I reach the garden. The Versailles palace flooring isn’t exactly the easiest to walk on even with sport shoes.

  3. Carol Perehudoff

    Thanks, Carol Anne. So nice of you to say.

  4. Carol Anne Neville

    Love your clever story about Marie Antoinette!

  5. bestacademicediting

    Fabulous story Carol. I really enjoyed it! Great to take a different angle on such a popular tourist destination.

  6. Carol Perehudoff

    It was a blast, Shane. Hope you make it there someday.

  7. Shane

    How fun is this! I would love to play dress up in the garb of this era for a day!

  8. Carol Perehudoff

    Truly a fun activity in Versailles, Milijana. Thanks for commenting.

  9. Carol Perehudoff

    Yes, Sara, I found Costumes & Chateaux a unique way to experience Versailles.

  10. Sara Broers (@TravelWithSara)

    This is definitely a step back in time. What a fun experience on a Versailles trip. This is definitely an experience that you can’t find just anywhere. I can’t imagine wearing one of those dresses on a daily basis, can you?

  11. Milijana

    What a fun the costumed photo session must be! I need to try it out when in Paris! I can’t resist the idea of pretending to be an aristocrat in Versailles,even if only for few minutes. :-)

  12. Carol Perehudoff

    Yes, it’s just like adding an novel layer of history on a Versailles trip, LeAnna.

  13. Carol Perehudoff

    That’s exactly what it does, Steph.

  14. Carol Perehudoff

    I highly recommend it, Lillie.

  15. Lillie

    OMG THIS IS AMAZING!!! Why don’t more places like this exist???? Thank you for letting me know about this, because I MUST do it on my next time in France!

  16. Steph Be

    Wow, what a new way to experience Versailles. This trip looked like a blast- I would love to have a photo shoot in all those costumes. Definitely takes me back in history!

  17. LeAnna Brown

    Haha! So awesome! We enjoyed Versailles as is, but this could have made it such an even more fun and memorable experience

  18. hcura

    This is great! Definitely a unique way to experience Versailles. It looks like you had a lot of fun!

  19. Carol Perehudoff

    Marie Antoinette is one of those endlessly-fascinating creatures, isn’t she Anne?

  20. Carol Perehudoff

    Interesting, Practical Wanderlust. All the research I read says the opposite about Bertin.

  21. Practical Wanderlust (@practicalwander)

    What a unique way to see Versailles! Wish I’d known about it when I visited a few years back, Your take on Rose Bertin is interesting, and entirely different than what I learned while studying for my fashion design degree in school! We were taught that although Marie made Rose Bertin the first ever famous female fashion designer, Marie never actually paid her for any of her dresses, and Rose Bertin died penniless, probably rueing the day she ever made anything for Marie Antoinette. Perhaps their friendship was the very reason why Rose kept making dresses for her and accepting IOU’s for payment? Either way, your day of dress up looks like a blast!

  22. Anne @TravelTheGlobe (@TTGLOBE4L)

    I love the idea of this. I used to daydream about this kind of thing when I was young and devouring books of all kinds. I also read quite a bit about Marie Antoinette so this looks great fun. Photos are awesome too

  23. Carol Perehudoff

    It would have been so fun to do a photo shoot together, Wendy.

  24. Wendy Fedec

    I’m jealous! You look marvellous!!

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