The Mobilier National (the historic administrator of all furniture and objects in France’s royal residences) has a new exhibition on offer at the gorgeous Gobelins Gallery, not far from nos hôtels, about Charles X, the last French king to be anointed in Reims in 1825.

Although the subject might sound odd, the amazing thing is that all the event’s furniture, ornate tapestries, gold-leafed wood, bronzes, chandeliers and more have all been preserved and are being shown together for the first time in 200 years, in a stunning reconstruction…

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You’ll be able to learn all about the preparation for an exceptional event (that lasted days), including the ostentatious ceremony on 29th May 1825 (in Reims, about 130km northeast of Paris) during which Charles X took over the throne from King Louis XVIII, who had died eight month previously.

The entire collection of sumptuous items from the event are yours to peruse, including the clothing, carriage, diplomatic gifts, room decorations and even merchandising from the era, all carefully preserved since the event 200 years ago!

Also, staging is by French star designer Jacques Garcia, and is sure to impress.

Curator Stéphane Bern talks about the exhibition

Several events are being organised around the exhibition:

— En grande pompes, nine conferences and visits at the Château de Versailles in April,
— A talk with French diplomat Laurent Stefanini entitled Le repas cérémoniel : un art de la diplomatie on 6th May at 6.30pm, and
— free entry to the exhibition on Saturday 17th May form 7-11pm as part of the Museum Night event.

A booklet is also available to keep your (French-speaking) kids entertained, with games, puzzles and historical tales. You can check it out below or download it here.

A weighty French-language catalogue of the exhibition is also available – 532 pages, 59€!, here from your local Amazon.

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The Le Dernier Sacre exhibition is at the Gobelins Gallery (here) until 20th July 2025

Open every day except Mondays from 11am-6pm. Closed 1st May

Admission: 8€ / 7€

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