The Fêtes Galantes at Versailles

This past May I was lucky enough to attend the Fêtes Galantes at Versailles. It has always been a dream of mine to go and I still can't believe it actually happened! For the occassion I made a new robe a la francaise out of sumptuous pale green silk satin and trimmed with white silk organza and over 200 paper roses. I also made new grand pannier and a new Coiffure a la Belle Poule. The entire ensemble was hand sewn by me. I could gush endlessly about how magical the night was but I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!

An Interlude at the Hotel

While I was in Paris I stayed at the wonderful Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais. I cannot say enough good things about this hotel! Decorated to look like an 18th-century Salon, it was my home away from home for a week and the most wonderful refuge from the craziness of being a tourist. My room and the lobby were so beautiful and the staff were delightful and friendly and even enjoyed having an eccentric American show up one morning in a robe a la francaise! I absolutely adored staying there and I can't wait to go back. If you love immersing yourself in history, do yourself a favor and stay at this hotel. I snapped these photos in the lobby before I left for the Journée Grand Siècle at Vaux le Vicomte. Some day I would love to do a proper photoshoot in the space. As you can see, it's absolutely gorgeous!

Journée Grand Siècle at Vaux le Vicomte

While I was in Paris I was also lucky enough to attend the Journée Grand Siècle at Vaux le Vicomte! I hadn't realized the event would coincide with my trip until after I arrived in Paris so I didn't have time to put together another costume. But that meant I got to wear my Versailles Francaise a second time! Hooray!

Photo by the wonderful Phillip Van Nostrand.