Marie-Antoinette et Louis XVI à Fontainebleau : splendeur et douceur de vivre

Exhibition at the Château de Fontainebleau, 11 October 2026 – 25 January 2027

Between 1774 and 1786, Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI stayed at Fontainebleau on seven occasions. These visits, marked by both political and family events, bear witness to their deep attachment to this château, which served as both a venue for official functions and a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of Versailles. The remarkably well-preserved interiors illustrate this golden age of the reign. Created under the direction of the architects Richard Mique, Nicolas-Marie Potain and Pierre Rousseau, they offer a rare insight into the royal way of life on the eve of the Revolution.

Bringing together more than 120 works, this exhibition catalogue offers a glimpse into the daily life of the royal couple at Fontainebleau, their artistic tastes, and the pleasures of court life – notably theatre and music – which played a central role in their social life. It sheds light on the activities of the last sovereigns of the Ancien Régime at Fontainebleau, far removed from the clichés perpetuated by history, and reveals an atmosphere characterised by refinement, serenity and intimacy.

The result of in-depth research, this reference work provides an updated account of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI’s stays at Fontainebleau and offers a fresh perspective on this iconic period in the castle’s history.