ON A WEEKEND IN PARIS, THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF VERSAILLES VISIT IMPORTANT SITES OF FRENCH HERITAGE
When the American Friends of Versailles (AFV) assemble to raise funds for historic preservation, an extra benefit is expanding their knowledge of French heritage. Gathered in Paris on an early summer weekend, AFV participants dined in a landmark royal chateau in the Bois de Bologne, toured the extensive 18th-century Marais mansion created by the noble family of AFV co-founder the Vicomte de Rohan, and mingled in the home of distinguished architect Juan Pablo Molyneux and his wife Pilar, AFV Vice Presidents.
A jewel within the Bois de Bologne on the outskirts of Paris, the Château de Bagatelle is a charming mini chateau built by a brother of Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette’s brother-in-law. Among the first visitors to dine inside the recently restored chateau, AFV guests entered through the portal which bears the inscription “PARVA SED APTA” (small but fit). After a champagne reception they proceeded to dinner in the architecturally stunning oval salon with side panels decorated in a Greek classical style, popular when it was built at the end of the 18th century.
The mini-chateau Bagatelle is nestled within the Bois de Bologne.AFV President Alicia Bryan.L. to r.: Princesse Beatrice de Bourbon et Deux Siciles; Cindy Galvin and AFV Executive Director Kristin Smith.French Board Member Marie de Noailles and President of Societe des Amis de Versailles Jerome Plouseau.Isha and Steve Santamaria.Bruce Kading, Allison Lisk, and AFV Board Member W. Brinkley Dickerson.Brenda and Ken Kirk, with Mme. Montgolfier.AFV Board Member Patricia Dickerson.L. to r.: Grace Turnipseed and Gail Arnold; AFV President Alicia Bryan and AFV Board Member W. Brinkley Dickerson.Mary Jon Bryan and Don Anne Kasikci.Dr. Annette Ermshar and AFV Board Member Dr. Susan Kendall.Craig Hossman, Dan Monahan,, AFV Board Member Dr. Susan Kendall, and Sir Richard Hitt.Dinner was served in the recently restored oval salon.Guests dined at round tables.Clockwise from top left: Officine Florale created the floral arranagements; Potel et Chabot catered the dinner; A serving of the main course duck filet; Wall panels indicate the Greek influence which was popular when the Bagatelle was created in the late 18th century.L. to r.: AFV Co-Founder le Vicomte de Rohan welcomed the group; Albéric de Montgolfier, President of The Mansart Foundation.Terri Kohl, President of Les Amis de Versailles, with Jerome Plouseau.Noted baritone David Serero serenaded during dinner.
One of the largest properties within the boundaries of Paris, the Hotels de Soubise et de Rohan, originated as an ancestral home of one of the great families of European nobility, the Rohan. Confiscated during the French Revolution, it now houses the National Archives in elegant palatial spaces.
AFV Co-Founder and the evening’s guest of honor, Olivier, the Vicomte de Rohan, welcomed guests to the gorgeous premises created by his ancestors and described the historic structures within the vast urban enclosure. Once inside the renowned Prince’s Oval Salon, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres accompanied by a French jazz trio. A guide led tours through the elaborate décor and important documents now housed on display within the elegant rooms.
The Hotels de Soubise et de Rohan is the largest domain within the confines of Paris.Olivier explained historic details and answered questions.AFV Board Members W. Brinkley and Patricia Dickerson.A reception was held in the Prince’s Oval Salon a private Salon.The view from the Princesse Floor.A combo entertained during the reception.Gathered in finery at the reception.Brenda Kirk, AFV President Alicia Bryan, and Ken Kirk.L. to r.: Donanne Kasikci; Bella Fuqua and Judith Saint Girons.Former President of Versailles Catherine Pegard.L. to r.: Cindy Galvin; Maha Khan.Merele Mullin and Beth Hansen.L. to r.: AFV Executive Director Kristin Smith; Dr. Derek Guillory, Donae Chramosta, and John Guillory.AFV French Board Member Michele Fiesci-Fouan, Judith Saint Girons, and AFV Board Member Patricia Dickerson.Bella Fuqua, John Bryan, Judith Saint Girons, and Andrea Bryan.L. to r.: Donae Chramosta and AFV French Board Member Maried de Noailles; JP and Mary Jon Bryan dancing to the music.Merle Mullin and Donanne Kasikci.L. to r.: Guide Gregory Teillet led a tour through the Archives; Splendid detail in the palace decor.
AFV Vice Presidents, esteemed architect Juan Pablo Molyneuxand his accomplished wife Pilar, hosted a farewell reception in the 18th century, hôtel particulier that they have restored and embellished. Guests mingled in elaborately tiled and paneled rooms, sipping wine and sampling elegant Lenôtre hors d’oeuvres.
Entering the Molyneux hotel particulier.Assembled in the blue-tiled entryway.Juan Pablo Molyneux describes obtaining and installing the historic tile wall.Chatting at the Molyneux reception.Admiring the paneled sitting room.L. to r.: AFV Board Member Patricia Dickerson; Brenda and Ken Kirk.L. to r.: AFV Board Member Jonathan Marder and actress Carole Bouquet; Broadway producer Candy Spelling.L. to r.: H.E Sheikha Paula Al Sabah; Photographer Francis Hammond with one of his photo books on Versailles.The wall is lined with grouse and pheasant feathers.Detail of the feather wall.AFV President Alicia Bryan and AFV Vice President Juan Pablo Molyneux.
Co-founded by Catharine Hamilton, over 25 years ago,to promote Franco-American accord, the American Friends of Versailles continue to contribute financially to restoration projects at the Château. Originally recreating the Bosquet des Trois Fontaines, they have participated in restoration of the Pavillon Frais, the fresco ceiling of the Queens Guards Room, and have supported the replanting of the Virginia Tulip Trees in the center of the Queen’s Bosquet, once reserved for Marie-Antoinette.
The Bosquet des Trois Fontaines.The Pavillon Frais.Restored ceiling of Marie Antoinette’s Queens Guards Room in Versailles.Virginia Tulip tree blossom in the Queens Grove.
Their upcoming project, under the leadershipof new President Alicia Bryan, is to restore the Louis XIV, Charles LeBrun painted ceiling of the Salon de Diane, which is in need of major cleaning and structural repair. This salon is one of the finest in Versailles and is on the main tour with over eight million visitors annually.
