Paris - The Hamlet Mill - Versailles

Plate CXI – Hameau de la Reine – Le Moulin …

The transformation of the gardens from the strict formality of the grand gardens of Versailles to these meandering paths and woodlands (in the genre pittoresque) had begun in 1774 under the direction of the queen’s landscaper Antoine Richard.

It is said that the queen and her retinue would have days at play in the hamlet, dressing as shepherdesses and milkmaids, using monogrammed Sevres porcelain utensils in performing the daily pastorale dairying tasks. There is no doubt these activities contributed to the scandal surrounding Marie Antoinette, and the public view of her as being frivolous and out of touch with their real world. Pretending to be a peasant girl as a form of escape in such surroundings was hardly politically correct, as revolutionary ferment was underway across the country.

To the queen it was undoubtedly a short-lived escape from the growing horrors of the outside world.

Amongst the hamlet buildings, and contributing to the realism of the village atmosphere, is this working replica of a water mill - another fanciful example of the work of Mique.