Petit Trianon, Versailles

Nestled within the expansive grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France, the Petit Trianon is a small château that stands as a testament to the opulence and elegance of 18th-century French architecture. This intimate retreat, built between 1762 and 1768 under the direction of King Louis XV, was originally intended for Madame de Pompadour, the king's favored mistress. However, it is most famously associated with Queen Marie Antoinette, who was gifted the estate by her husband, King Louis XVI.

The Petit Trianon museum is a jewel of neoclassical design, conceived by the architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel. It was designed to allow the queen to escape the rigors of court life and indulge in her love for the pastoral and the simple pleasures of rural life. The château's relatively modest scale and refined details reflect the personal and private nature of this royal hideaway.

The museum's interior is replete with furnishings and artworks from the period, offering visitors a glimpse into the lifestyle of its royal inhabitants. Each room has been meticulously restored to reflect the original décor, from the sumptuous fabrics to the intricate woodwork. The ground floor houses service rooms and the private apartments, while the upper floor contains the queen's chambers, offering a more intimate look at her personal life.

Surrounding the Petit Trianon is the Queen's Hamlet, a rustic village complete with a farmhouse, dairy, and mill, constructed for Marie Antoinette to play at being a shepherdess. The gardens, too, are a significant aspect of the estate, with their English-style landscaping providing a stark contrast to the formal French gardens of Versailles. They offer a serene setting with meandering paths, lush greenery, and tranquil bodies of water.