Marie Antoinette Information

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Marie Antoinette History

Question: Marie Antoinette…?

Hello all…I’ve recently become very interested in the history of Marie Antoinette…I’m trying to find some websites that have great detail and information about her and that time period, fun facts, trivia, pictures, etc, anything that has to do with her really…if you know of any great sites, or even books or collectibles, could you please post? thanks.

Answer: http://www.marie-antoinette.org/bioeng.php

This site gives a very good description of her life

Marie Antoinette-World History Project

Marie Antoinette Tower

Everyone knows about the most famous sights for a holiday in Paris: Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe. It’s true that no trip to France’s capital should pass up the big sights, especially if it is your first visit. But there’s more to Paris then just these big five – it is a city that rewards careful exploration with a number of hidden highlights. As a Paris airport transfer driver, I’ve been all over the city, and hear plenty of visitors talking about the highlights of their trip. Away from the major sights, there are some hidden gems that people consistently rave about (when they can find them!): here are five of the best unusual sights to see on a holiday in Paris.

Jardin Alpin

Tucked away down a tunnel in the centre of the Jardin des Plants, the Jardin Alpin is a miniature valley and microclimate filled with over 2000 different kinds of mountain plants, a small stream and tiny waterfalls. There are plenty of benches to sit on and little nooks and crannies to explore. It’s a real hidden gem amongst the parks of Paris – my shuttle passengers always seem to be raving about the Jardin Alpin!

The Catacombs of Paris

Beneath the streets of Paris is another world – the Catacombs of Paris. Originally a vast series of mines and quarries, part of the Catacombs became an ossuary (a place where the bones of the dead are stored) in the 18^th century after the cemeteries of the poor were filled to the point of overflowing. During the Second World War they were used by both the French Resistance (as a way of moving around the city) and by the Nazis (as a military bunker.) Today, you can take a tour of the Paris Catacombs, visiting rooms stacked to the ceiling with skulls and bones – a creepy and fascinating experience!

La Maison Rouge

The Louvre may contain some of the most famous art works in the world, but there are plenty of other galleries in the city. Paris is home to a thriving modern arts scene, and La Maison Rouge is one of the best contemporary galleries in the capital. With international guest curators and a reputation for controversial shows, this is an essential stop off for culture vultures in Paris.

Pere-Lachaise Cemetery

It may sound morbid, but many of my passengers on their Paris airport transfers rate the Pere-Lachaise Cemetery as a highlight of their trip. It is the resting place for numerous famous historical figures: Chopin, Moliere, Balzac, Proust and Oscar Wilde are amongst the many famous people buried here. Many of the tombs are spectacular to look at, and the beautiful rolling parkland of the cemetery is great to walk around.

Chapelle Expiatoire

Located at the very centre of Paris, this chapel was built on the cemetery that holds Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and a further 3000 people who were killed during the revolution. It is small but beautifully designed gothic chapel, and is somehow rarely visited by tourists in Paris. It is a peaceful place at the heart of the city, and a great way to escape the busy streets for a little quiet contemplation.

Henri Barbusse is a Paris airport transfer driver for Shuttle Direct. They provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Nancy Drew: Treasure in a Royal Tower

French Revolution Bastille

Question: why do some historians examine the symbols of the french revolution?

I knwo there are political reasons and know some symbols of the revolution suck as the storming of the bastille, the french flag, and french national anthem, and the french motto (Liberty, equality and fraternity). But y are they studied????? Thanks 4 ur help

Answer: The French Revolution whether you approve of its ideals or not, was the start of modern politics that are used today throughout the free world, so it is important to look and understand its origins, its aim and its success or failure.

The FR was a Revolution instigated by the middle classes using the peasants as their tool for self-grandisment and power.

The Bastille – was a focal point for cruelty; and long-term incarceration.

The French Flag – The Tricolour – united France under one flag

The National Anthem was also a tool for unification

French Motto: Freedom (from tyranny), Equality (one standard for all)and Brotherhood (everyone is your brother)

Actually in reality, none of the ideals ever really materialised in France until very much later and then only in part under Napoleon.

Freedom from tyranny – tyranny continued continued under another guise

Equality – the masses did not benefit from the FR, because many of them were no longer employed by the Nobles who ceased to exist, thus bringing about increased poverty. The now “leaders” of French lived in a grand style reminiscent of the nobility whom they removed.

Brotherhood.- There was always the inherent fear that “your head would roll” under Madame La Guillotine” for a slight misdemeanor that could be interpreted as treason.

The FR was not successful in France nor was the knock on effect that it had on the crowned heads of Europe, who instigated stricter controls for the people, to ensure that they stayed in power.

In England there were a variety of laws enacted to control the people, ie people could not gather to speak openly in public, in case it turned into a riots that would be anti-Monarchy.

French Revolution (Part 1)

French Revolution And Slavery

Question: Why did the ‘Enlightenment’ French revolution not include freedom for slaves?

Why was abloishion of slavery so slow and not an issue even in the ‘enlightened’ French freedom Revolution

as the French cried for freedom, Slave commerce was abolished in the slave trade act of 1807, not just in England, but the US, 200 years ago. Around that time many European countries also abolished the slave trade.

Portugal and France being two holdouts…. why would that be… since France claims such strong enlightenment influence and the cries for personal freedom were heard loudly everywhere

How come? Why would the cries for freedom be so self centric by such models of humanistic ideals? while theists and Christian influence led the opposition to slavery in the US and England

Answer: I don’t know. Why was freedom for slaves not included in the American Revolution? Why were slaves considered property and not people in the Constitution? Why did England use slave labor on sugar plantations throughout the Caribbean? While all acts of slavery are equally reprehensible, you can’t take a holier than thou stance by citing the examples of America and England because it is a stance based on a false premise.

Also, abolition of the slave trade is not equal to ending or freeing slaves. It took many more decades and a lot of bloodshed and turmoil in the US for slaves to be made free.

Toussaint L’Ouverture Movie Trailer – Beta

Marie Antoinette Versailles

Question: If you wanted to re-create Marie Antoinette’s bedroom in Versailles, how would you do so?

The chandelier, bed, table, chairs, paintings, etc.
Not exact size, but, say, the whole room is 2 feet high
What materials would you use?
Help is much appreciated.

Answer: Ha. Sounds like a fancy little dollhouse to me.

Do you have pictures of the bedroom? I assume so. I would simply magnify the details on your printer…or take it to a copy shop and have them blow up the interior pics…then start creating!

You can build the bed out of sturdy cardboard, then find similar fabric at the fabric store and either sew the bedding, canopy, drapes, etc. yourself, or take the blown up picture to a place like Sew What and see if they can sew it for you. I would use lightweight silk/rayon mix for the bedding. Or even chintz. Has to be light weight to drape nicely on such a tiny bed. And my guess is, to find a similar print, you are likely looking at something lightweight.

Create the chandelier by going to decorative craft stores. You can find heavy wire, spray paint it gold and add mini-crystals. OR…if you are lucky enough….perhaps you can find a chandelier Christmas ornament on clearance someplace!! They do make them…I have two that would likely fit your needs quite well. But no, they are not for sale.

If you have close-up pictures of the artwork, simply blow it up and print it out to size on glossy photo quality paper. Then add your own frames. You can find mini-frames at craft stores, as well.

Look for doll furniture the right size on e-bay…they have a lot of it…and simply reupholster it yourself to fit the same style as Versailles.

Good luck and I hope you don’t need to finish this by tomorrow.

This is Versailles