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Another folly built on the grounds of the Petit Trianon for Marie Antoinette by Richard Mique & Hubert Robert is the
Temple of Love.
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This temple sits on the opposite side of the house as the older French Pavilion and houses a statue of cupid.
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It overlooks a small stream that runs up to the Petit Trianon.
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Inspired by antiquity, the columns sport Corinthian caps.....
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and a coffered dome.
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It sits out in the English landscape. Here it is viewed from the side of the house.
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The temple rests on a small island reached by a small bridge. I loved that the side of the bridge acted as a planter for wildflowers.
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The Petit Trianon, finally making its' debut as seen from the Temple of Love.
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Marie Antoinette had the Temple of Love built within view of her bed in her bedroom - can it be any more poetic than that? Do we think she had Count Fersen in mind or her husband, Louis XVI?
7 comments:
If she had anyone on her mind then it was definitelly count Fersen! I think she was a very romantical soul.. and this little temple is a proof. Really lovely!:)
We need more "temples of love" in the world!
Just stunning!!!
pve
I agree with pve...more temples of love! An insightful post. Thanks AD.
Gorgeous! Did you get to see the "Belvedere"?
Michael - read mondays post on the Belvedere and a post last week on the French Pavilion.
I thought the temple of love was one of the more simple but really powerful places at Versailles.
Wonderful post!! Keep them coming. You make me want to go back. I missed that. Versailles is so vast it is impossible to see in one visit.
Sandra
I've always had a passion for le petit trianon and " les folies " . Thanks for this wonderful post
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