Marie Antoinette's

"That is not the Queen's writing or the Queen's signature. How could a prince of the house of Rohan, a Grand Almoner, have imagined that the Queen signed 'Marie Antoinette of France'? Everybody knows that queens sign only with their baptismal names."

An account of preparations for Marie Antoinette's arrive onto French soil, in a prepared pavilion made of wood, and richly decorated. You may recall Sofia Coppola's vision of the ceremony which occurred there, posted below.


"The Crown Upholsterer is here; he brought furniture and tapestry from the Garde-Meuble, and is being assisted by the most expert workmen in the town. Cardinal de Rohan lends his own carpets to decorate the two ante rooms, French and Austrian. The Lutheran University lends a daïs,* and a state-chair, in crimson and gold; the Grand-Chapter a velvet carpet in the same colour; the Prince de Lorraine a cover for the principal table; other wealthy residents send tabourets et banquettes. It is hoped that all will be ready towards the end of April. Meanwhile the pavilion de remise becomes the aim and object of sightseers."


The arrival scene by Sofia Coppola, Marie Antoinette, 2006.


*A daïs is a raised platform.