The Petit Trianon
The Petit Trianon was built between 1763 and 1768 by the architect Gabriel, requested by Madame de Pompadour, mistress then friend of king Louis XV.
Madame de Pompadour, who wished to “relieve the king’s boredom” — though no longer his mistress, she remained his friend — was the instigator of this small château, built by architect Gabriel between 1763 and 1768. It was erected near the Botanical Garden and the new menagerie, as Louis XV had a keen interest in the sciences. To please the marquise, always at the forefront of fashion, the king’s architect broke away from the rococo aesthetic and adopted a cubic form with very pure lines, in keeping with the brand-new “Greek style” then in vogue.
Its simplicity is only apparent, for each façade is different, designed in relation to the space it overlooks: the courtyard, the French Garden with its elegant pavilion, the Botanical Garden, and the Florist’s Garden.
Inside, one finds the same modernity of style. Simpler than the rest of the estate, the decoration of the Petit Trianon lies not in lavish materials — gilding is almost absent — but in the refinement of its sculptures, in a château entirely dedicated to nature.
Madame de Pompadour died in 1764 and never saw the château completed. Today, it is above all the memory of Marie-Antoinette that it evokes. In 1774, Louis XVI gave the Trianon estate to his wife, who was able to live here a life apart — too much so for some — from the Court.
General information
Openings
All year round on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and weekends.
Closed exceptionally on January 1st, May 1st and December 25th.
During high season: Marie-Antoinette's Estate is open from 10:00a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (access to interior areas until 5:45 p.m.) from Tuesday to Sunday except for certain holidays or official ceremonies.
During low season: Marie-Antoinette's Estate is open from 12:00 noon to 5:30 p.m. (no admission after 5:00 p.m.) from Tuesday to Sunday except for certain holidays or official ceremonies.
Fares
Adult: 12 €
Reduced price: 8 €.
Free entry for children under 26, children accompanied by an adult, teachers, people with reduced mobility, disabled people, disabled people and accompanying persons.
Group rate available for 30 people or more.
Free for people under 26 years old from European Union
Free for people under 18 years outide of the European Union
Free for disabled person and an accompanying person
More ticket options available :
- The 1 day pass includes the entire estate (Gardens + Trianons)
- The 2 days pass includes the entire estate (Gardens + Trianons) for two consecutive days.
Free the first Sundays of each months from November to March).
Visits
Features
- Picnic area
- Toilets
- Exhibition space
- Restaurant
- Parking nearby
- Coach access
- Tourist brochures
- Tourist information
- Guided tours
- Fast food
- Temporary exhibition
- Shows