Forget Downton Abbey; nothing can trump Versailles! Currently subject of much brouhaha about the endless lines and rooms so stuffed full of tourists that no-one can see anything, the Château de Versailles (or rather la Société des Amis de Versailles) continues its renovation program… with stunning results.

Marie-Antoinette bathing rooms (in the Queen’s small apartment, centrally located on the ground floor of the main building) date from 1782 and are made up of three rooms – a bedroom, a library and a bathroom, although they were partially disassembled around 1830.

Restoration was started as far back as 1984 (!) with the wood and marble being put back in. The recent work just finished has given golden lustre to the edges of the mirrors, restored all wooden elements and refreshed the lighting.

Furniture has been added (armchairs, a copper bath…) using inventories from royal houses and iconographic research as a guide. Inaugurated early November 2011, you’ll have to book a themed guided tour if you want to see them; the next ones are on 26 and 27th February (The private apartment of Marie-Antoinette) and the 4th January and 12th February 2012 (The intimate world of the bathroom bains).

The previous restoration helmed and paid for by the Société des Amis de Versailles – inaugurated in September – was in the Cour des Cerfs (deer courtyard). Part of the King’s small apartments, the balcony of the courtyard – use by the king’s servants – is now in perfect condition and used as part of an exterior tour, during which you can see (through the windows) the King’s bathroom, the dining room used after hunts, the dogs anteroom and Louis XVI wardrobe.

French readers might enjoy having at look at a blog called Paris Côté Jardin, which has more photos of the private visits that allow the public to discover these two fresh new areas.

The blog also has an article about topiary in the gardens of Versailles with lots of photos that even non-French speakers can enjoy! We recommend their photos of autumn in the gardens too.

More info on private visits of Versailles : www.chateauversailles.fr

And some useful reading perhaps?… (click the image to buy from amazon.co.uk).