Tina Arena at the National Gallery of Australia's Versailles: Treasures from the Palace exhibition in Canberra. Photo: Cybele Malinowski, courtesy of the National Gallery of Australia
For those who haven't yet had the chance, there are still a few weeks left to see the Palace of Versailles exhibition.
Since opening in December 2016, the exhibition has enthralled the Australian public and closes on April 17.
Staged exclusively in Canberra, at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA), the world-famous treasures (transported outside France for the first time in history) include the handcrafted harp of Marie-Antoinette, luxurious gilded furniture, tapestries, royal paintings, items from the famous Hall of Mirrors, and more.
Jean-Henri Nadermann Marie-Antoinette's harp 1775 gilded and painted wood, metal, bronze, pearl and glass beads On loan from the Palace of Versailles Photo © RMN-Grand Palais (Château de Versailles) / Droits réservés
It's a luscious peep into the opulence of palace life in 16th to 17th century France, a period central to French history.
Travelling all the way from Versailles, France, the exhibition showcases over 130 items across the reigns of King Louis XIV, XV and XVI.
Enhancing the experience, master perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian, has conjured an orange blossom fragrance inspired by Louis XIV to scent the foyer of the exhibition.
Versailles, a wealthy suburb 20 km's southwest of Paris, was the seat of political power in France from 1682 until the French Revolution, and as such is symbolic of the power and extravagance of the French monarchy during the era.
Nicolas-Quinibert Foliot, joiner attributed to Toussaint Foliot, sculptor attributed to Gaspard-Marc Bardou, gilder Armchair for Madame de Pompadour's residence at Crécy c 1755 carved and gilded walnut, silk National Furniture Depository, Paris © Château de Versailles, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Christophe Fouin
AccorHotels Canberra have teamed exclusively with the NGA to deliver excellent package deals that include exhibition entry, accommodation for two, breakfast and more starting from $109.
Accor have a range of hotel options to fit your style and budget. You can choose from:
Ibis Styles Canberra (from $109)
Mercure, Canberra (from $137)
- Novotel, Canberra (from $167)
- Ibis Styles, Canberra, Eaglehawk (from $114).
Inclusions, include the following:
• A glass of French bubbles on arrival in the hotel restaurant
• Fresh buffet breakfast for two
• 2 x tickets to Versailles: Treasures from the Palace including a complimentary audio tour package
• 10% discount at the National Gallery of Australia shop and National Gallery of Australia cafe with your temporary National Gallery of Australia Member card.
• Souvenir Versailles tote bag
To book an all inclusive package deal, visit
www.accorhotels.com/treasuresfromthepalace
François-Hubert Drouais The Sourches family 1756 oil on canvas On loan from the Palace of Versailles Photo © Château de Versailles, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Christophe Fouin
