Project

The Belvedere Pavilion is a notable feature in the landscape of the Petit Trianon of Versailles. Built between 1778 and 1781 under the supervision of Richard Mique for Marie-Antoinette, it is the crowning element of the English Garden on the grounds. Early plans called for the Belvedere to resemble a pagoda, reflecting the fascination at the time with Asian art and architecture. (...)

The Belvedere Pavilion is a notable feature in the landscape of the Petit Trianon of Versailles. Built between 1778 and 1781 under the supervision of Richard Mique for Marie-Antoinette, it is the crowning element of the English Garden on the grounds. Early plans called for the Belvedere to resemble a pagoda, reflecting the fascination at the time with Asian art and architecture. The interior decoration was undertaken by Le Riche, and Joseph Deschamps completed the exterior decorative campaign. Over the centuries, the Belvedere suffered from aging of materials and lack of maintenance. In recent decades, the exterior was particularly threatened by impaired drainage systems that allowed rain to stream along the façades and reach the lower parts of the building. Moss and lichen grew on the surfaces and some elements of the decorative balustrades were lost. The interior also showed cracks along the walls and on the floor.