Louis XV had built near the Grand Trianon
a small villa for Madame de Pompadour. On the modest estate were several
small outbuildings, to which were added a pavilion for open-air pastimes
and a "French garden." It was Gabriel, architect of the Opera House,
that drew the plans for the little chateau, begun in 1762. But Madame de
Pompadour died before the villa of her fancy was completed. Dubarry
succeeded her as chatelaine, and richly embellished the interior of the
delectable retreat.
When Marie Antoinette desired to possess a _maison de plaisance_ of which
she should be sole mistress, the King, always eager to satisfy her whims,
bade her accept for her own use both the Grand and the Petit Trianon.
Said he, graciously, "These charming houses have always been the repair
of favorites of the reigning king--consequently they should now be
yours." The Queen was much pleased with the gift and with her husband's
gallantry. She responded, laughingly, that she would accept the Little
Trianon on condition that he would not come there except when invited!
During the tenancy of Marie Antoinette, some of the rooms of the Petit
Trianon were altered according to the elaborate style that received the
name of Louis XVI. Sculptures, wood-work, gilded chimneys, staircases,
were fashioned by the hands of master artists. No sooner was she
possessor of her new domain than the Queen desired a garden after the
pastoral English style that was then coming in favor.
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