Probably not. Of all the strange rules and etiquette one had to follow at the Palace of Versailles, the rules about who got to sit where (and when) are perhaps the most bizarre. It was a well known rule that you were not allowed to sit in the presence of the king and queen unless you were a visiting monarch. Everybody else had to conform … Continue reading May I Sit Here?

The fashion for courtiers in France during the years leading up to the Revolution was excess – the more the better. Higher hair, redder lips and whiter skin could all be achieved through hair and makeup artistry. Let’s have a closer look at how beauty was defined in the 18th century. Makeup Every courtier wore makeup in the 18th century in France. In fact, you … Continue reading French Court Hair and Makeup

You might think it’s very strange to wear tight corsets and large hooped skirts every day. How could a woman get anything done if she couldn’t bend at the waist or fit through a doorway? Well, in truth, may women did not. Continue reading Corsets and Panniers

Create a modern-day version of Marie Antoinette’s scandalous hairstyle with this step-by-step tutorial. Continue reading Marie Antoinette Hairstyle Tutorial – How To Coif Like A Queen

At Versailles, something as basic as knocking on a door was a breach of etiquette. It was considered rude, especially when knocking on the door of the king. Instead, courtiers had to scratch on the door, which could then only be opened by an usher. In fact, many courtiers would grow out one of their fingernails just to scratch at doors! Continue reading Ladies and Gentlemen Scratching At The Door

The Palace of Versailles was the home to French Kings and Queens. It still stands today; you can even go and visit it. It is the sprawling creation of King Louis XIV who extended his father’s old hunting lodge to create one of the grandest palaces the world has ever seen. In 1682, Louis XIV moved his family into the Palace of Versailles and declared … Continue reading The Palace of Versailles