THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF VERSAILLES ATTEND ELEGANT EVENTS AT THE HISTORIC CHATEAU
Le Gala des Fleurs d’Oranger was the centerpiece of a weekend when the American Friends of Versailles (AFV) gathered in Paris for events to celebrate their completed restoration projects at the royal French Château. On a Saturday evening in early June, supporters in black-tie evening attire glided through the Hall of Mirrors, enjoyed an elegant dinner and dancing in the palace’s spacious Orangerie, and returned on Monday for a viewing of the Three Fountains Bosquet in the garden, AFV’s first restoration project. A delightful picnic basket lunch was served outside the Petit Trianon near the Pavillon Frais, AFV’s second project.
AFV President Alicia Bryan at the Petit Trianon.
Led this year by newly named President Alicia Bryan, successor to Catharine Hamilton who co-founded the philanthropy over 25 years ago with the Vicomte de Rohan, the Friends had several opportunities to admire and enjoy results of restorations they have funded within the historic palace and gardens.
Guests from New York, California, Chicago, Florida Washington, DC, Texas, along with the French and American Ambassadors, and nobility from Kuwait, Italy and France — gathered to renew acquaintanceships and to meet new friends including the recently named President of Versailles, Christophe Leribault, successor to Catherine Pégard who left a meaningful legacy.
Arriving at the Château on Saturday evening, guests assembled at the Gabriel Staircase, and climbed the marble steps to sip champagne while musicians performed Baroque music in the Hall of Mirrors, which was opened that evening especially for the group.
Guides led visitors through the apartments of Marie Antoinette and into the Queens Guards Room, where guests looked overhead at its celebrated Baroque ceiling fresco, another AFV restoration project.
Entering the grand Chateau de Versailles.Clockwise from left: Eric Kaufman and Allison Lisk on the Gabriel Staircase; The Versailles Hall of Mirrors was opened for the AFV private reception; Musicians performed Baroque music.Jennifer Shemwell enters the Hall of Mirrors.L. to r.: AFV Vice President Juan Pablo Molyneux and AFV President Alicia Bryan; Donae Chramosta.Texan Bryans — John, Alicia, JP, Mary Jon, and Andrea Bryan.L. to r.: AFV French Board Member Marie de Noailles and her father the Duc de Noailles; AFV Board Members Dr. Susan Kendall and Michele Fiesci-Fouan.Clockwise from left: Caterine Sanchez; Cedric Aumonier, Ken Kirk, and Brenda Kirk; Steffi and Will Galvin.L. to r.: Merle Mullin, Maria Manetti Shrem, and AFV President Alicia Bryant; Maha Khan.Candy Spelling, AFV Board Member Elizabeth Segerstrom, and Jonathan Marder.L. to r.: AFV French Board Members Marie-Sandrine and Philippe de Montmort; Claire Grant and Raynor Casey.L. to r.: Robert and Jennifer Shemwell; Donanne Kasikci.L. to r.: Julia Pesek. AFV Executive Director Kristin Smith, and AFV Board Member Patricia Dickerson.L. to r.: Terri Kohl and AFV Vice President Juan Pablo Molyneux; Bruce and Julianne Bartlett.AFV Board Member Marie de Noailles, US Ambassador to France Denise Bauer, and Steven Bauer.L. to r.: Steffi, Cindy, and Will Galvin; AFV Board Members W. Brinkley and Patricia Dickerson.L. to r.: Becca Thrash; AFV Secretary Thom Middlebrook.AFV Co-Founder the Vicomte de Rohan AFV Co-Founder, AFV Board Member Dr. Susan Kendall, and Les Amis de Versailles President Jerome Plouseau.L. to r.: H.E. Sheikha Paula Al Sabah and AFV Vice President Juan Pablo Molyneux; Gregoire Buais and Elizabeth Petersen.Guests admired the AFV restored fresco ceiling of the Queens Guards Room.
An elegant seated dinner, fireworks, and dancingwere held in the palace’s Orangerie. In winter, the immense structure houses over 1,000 orange, lemon, oleander, palm, and pomegranate trees, which are spread out across the parterre in summer. Introduced to Europe around the 15th century, oranges were prestigious and owners flaunted them. Louis XIV, allergic to flowers in later life, dispersed prized orange trees around the Palace to perfume the air, and his gardeners developed pruning and fertilizing techniques enabling the trees to blossom all year.
Michele Fouan and Sabine de la Rochefoucauld descending the grand staircase into the Orangerie.Guests dined in the halls of the Orangerie.L. to r.: Towering arrangements of oranges and flowers decorated the tables; Inspiration Music and Arts strolling violinists serenaded guests.Dinner was prepared by renowned Parisian caterer Lenôtre.Lenôtre Chefs with AFV French Board Member Marie de Noailles and AFV Executive Director Kristin Smith.L. to r.: Alfred Robinson IV and AFV President Alicia Bryan; Maria Manetti Shrem, AFV Board Member Dr. Susan E. Kendall, and Merle Mullin.L. to r.: Steve and Isha Santamaria; AFV French Board Members Marie de Noailles and Marie-Sandrine de Montmort.L. to r.: Dr. Simone Wlaschek; Robert and Jennifer Shemwell.L. to r.: AFV French Board Member Marie-Sandrine de Montmort; Maria Manetti Shrem, Candy Spelling, and Elizabeth Segerstrom.President of Versailles Christophe Leribault.L. to r.: French Ambassador to the USA Laurent Bili; Denise Bauer US Ambassador to France.L. to r.: Corrine Ferault and Versailles Director Laurent Salome; Alfred Robinson IV.L. to r.: Claire Grant and Raynor Casey; Michel and Sally Perrin.L. to r.: Brenda Kirk; Christophe Caramelle, Marie-Sandrine de Montmort, and Jerome Plouseau.Richard Vaaje and Colleen Leth.Founder of Arts Flourissants William Christie and AFV Co-Founder Le Vicomte de Rohan.L. to r.: Cindy Galvin; Mary Jon Bryan and AFV President Alicia Bryan.Moving out to the Parterre for the fireworks display.A grand display of fireworks was set to Baroque music.Entertainment by Inspiration Music and Arts.Dancing and music concluded the evening.
On Monday, supporters returned to the Château to visit the original AFV restoration project, the Bosquet des Trois Fontaines. Especially for the group, the garden’s three tiers of fountains were turned on to cascade in full array. Designed by Lenôtre with direct input from Louis XIV, the AFV’s recreated mini-garden is now the most visited grove in the park.
Versailles Chief Gardener Joël Cottin, AFV Member Allison Lisk, and Versailles Gardener Nicholas Aubailly.The Bosquet des Trois Fontaines was the first AFV restoration project.Plaque in Trois Fontaines Bosquet lists the AFV donors.The garden restoration followed the original antique plans of Louis XIV Bosquet de Trois Fontaines.Sir Richard Hitt and AFV President Alicia Bryan.AFV donors from California and TX assembled at the reception.Julianne Bartlett, Patricia Dickerson, and Bruce Bartlett.Dr. Derek Guillory and son John Guillory.Elennie Bixlet.Catherinne Meacham Durgin.L. to r.: Mary McFadden and AFV President Alicia Bryan; Julianne and Bruce Bartlett.Versailles Director Laurent Salome, AFV President Alicia Bryan, and Dr. Susan Kendall.Dan Monahan, Terri Kohl, Merle Mullin, Dr. Susan Kendall, and Annette Ermshar.Ken and Brenda Kirk, AFV French Board Member Marie de Noailles, and Christophe Caramelle.
Proceeding to the Petit Trianon, members picnicked under trees along the allée, which leads toward the Pavillon Frais, one of AFV’s important restoration projects. Created for Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour, the green trellised folly was designed as a dining space for foods prepared from the nearby kitchen garden.
Guests entered the picnic lunch through the Petit Trianon.Potted flowers decorate the Trianon allee.L. to r.: Picnic lunches were served at outdoor tables; Noted Parisian caterer Lenôtre prepared the picnic baskets.AFV guests dined along the allee.Marjorie Vickers and Gail Arnold.Bruce Kading, Craig Hoffman, Wyatt Sandberg, and Eric Kaufman.A strolling accordion player played classic French tunes.Christophe Caramelle, Dan Monahan, and Sir Richard Hitt.A generous dessert buffet concluded the meal.
Established to nurture Franco-American friendship,the American Friends of Versailles plays an important role in preserving the legacy of this iconic symbol of French heritage, an international world treasure. AFV’s upcoming project is to fund restoration of the ceiling in the Salon de Diane within the King’s Apartments. Featured on the palace’s main tour, it is seen by over eight million visitors annually.
Organized by First Painter to the King Charles LeBrun and ordered by Louis XIV, the ceiling masterpiece depicts scenes from the life of the goddess. Contributions through the AFV 501(c)3 charity will facilitate its cleaning and structural repair.
