Last weekend, one of my readers asked what the musicians' garden was. Well, it's a small public garden, not a very interesting one (except for the mahonia), though the benches under the trees must certainly be a nice shady spot for a lazy summer day. What's really interesting is the Italian Musicians' house. It was built by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1752 and lies almost opposite Madame Elisabeth's orangerie. It was erected on the site of the house where Louis the 14th welcomed Italian castrati attached to the royal chapel in 1710. It was later occupied by Madame de Marsan, governess to the king's children and the botanist L. G. Le Monnier. Nothing is left of his botanic garden. It is now the headquarters of the French guild of itinerant craftsmen.-------------------------------
Le weekend dernier, l'un de mes lecteurs me demandait ce qu'était le jardin des musiciens. Eh bien c'est un petit jardin public qui ne présente d'autre intérêt, outre un joli mahonia, que de pouvoir se prélasser sur des bancs à l'ombre des arbres. Ce qui est véritablement intéressant, c'est la maison des musiciens italiens qui le borde. Elle fut construite en 1752 par Jules Hardouin-Mansart de Sagonne et se trouve quasiment en face de l'orangerie de Madame Elisabeth. Elle fut érigée sur le site de la maison où, en 1710, Louis XIV accueillit les "sopranistes" ou castrats italiens attachés à la chapelle royale. Plus tard, elle fut occupée par Madame de Marsan, gouvernante des enfants du roi, puis par le botaniste L. G. Le Monnier, dont le jardin botanique n'a pas été conservé. Actuellement, c'est le siège de l'Union des Compagnons du Tour de France. Que de beaux métiers !
Too bad the old botanic garden is gone. I wonder if there are any old garden plans stashed somewhere.
ReplyDeleteAre all the buildings in Versailles ancient and beautiful?
ReplyDeleteCette petite photo pousse a la curiosite...
ReplyDeleteCe doit etre ou devait etre bien jolie a l'interieur et si les murs pouvaient nous raconter ce qu'ils ont entendu...
The building looks so full of character to me.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of an especially attractive building. Again, I'm amazed at how beautiful these structures are even after hundreds of years!
ReplyDeleteOh, and the history lesson was very helpful, too, CQ! Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Petrea: no, not ALL of them! But there are very strict rules as to what can be built and where so as to keep harmony in the historical city centre.
ReplyDeleteI bet its interesting inside. Itinerant French craftsmen now thats interesting, what sort of skills I wonder?
ReplyDeleteen effet une maison qui a une belle histoire, je suis d'accord avec Marie-Noyale, si elle pouvait nous raconter ces souvenirs
ReplyDeleteI love Versailles and the grandeur of the palace! Lovely to see more photos!
ReplyDeleteUne fenêtre qui continue de dissimuler ses secrets. En effet, que d'Histoire derrière ces murs.
ReplyDeleteVery nice looking building. I like the peek inside the window from your second photo.
ReplyDeleteElle me plairait cette maison toute simple, je ne m'y sentirais pas enfermée ; au cas où, je passerais par la fenêtre pour m'enfuir...
ReplyDeleteLa maison des compagnons ? Alors mon beau frère allait là ; il est compagnon plombier du tour de France.
Beautiful! Great photos! I like the unusual roof and nice huge window:)
ReplyDeleteWonderful post mainly the picture of the window, all those lights bring a romantic atmosphere!
ReplyDeleteI was trying to read this post in French! Oh Gosh, I need more lessons!But French is very similar or close to Portuguese language ( that is my mother tongue indeed ).I do hope to learn how to speak French ( and fluent ) as soon as possible , so I will be able to comment here properly and nice!
Your blog is very cool!Au revoir! See you!
God bless you
Léia :-)
Cielde (is it Cielde?): I'm glad to hear there are strict rules! Versailles is more than the palace, it is a beautiful town.
ReplyDelete@Dave and any other interested, here's a link the only one I could find in English:
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compagnons_du_Tour_de_France
You will probably have to copy and paste it. The list of craft is (almost) endless!
It's always interesting to see new uses to old homes and ideas. It looks like a good place for craftsmen. They are creating just as the musicians did.
ReplyDeleteIt's really quite pretty! After I clicked on the photo, I could see it a bit better. You got a great shot!
ReplyDeleteIt's very pretty. I like the triangular trees in the foreground!
ReplyDeleteIts a gorgeous place, so peaceful and comfortable.
ReplyDeleteWhatever it is used for, it is still a beautiful building.
ReplyDeleteI went to the Opera yesterday. Fortunately, there are no castrati around these days. I suppose there would be difficulties finding them a role in MacBeth... ;)
ReplyDeleteI simply love the typical design of the building and the light that come out from the chandelier make this photo perfect.
ReplyDeleteThe building is beautiful and the story very interesting indeed!
ReplyDelete