As a luxury travel writer, I come across some of the world’s most lavish hospitality experiences in my inbox practically every week, so it takes a lot for something to stand out. I’ve had my eye on French hospitality brand Airelles’ hotel on the grounds of Château de Versailles since it opened last year, so I couldn’t help but pack my bags when I learned about its latest offering: the exclusive opportunity to live like Marie-Antoinette for the day.
You experience world-class hospitality from the moment you arrive at Le Grand Contrôle. The staff, most dressed in clothing reflective of palace staff during this time, is incredibly kind and ready to indulge you with Ladurée macarons and just about anything else your heart desires before giving you a tour of this storied hotel overlooking the palace that was once the home of Jules Hardouin-Mansart, Louis XIV’s favorite architect.
Each of the 13 accommodations on the property is exquisite, but I was fortunate to stay in the Madame de Staël suite, named after the famed writer, philosopher, and queen of the French salon circuit during Marie-Antoinette’s reign who once lived here. The stunning 1,600-square-foot suite is swathed in Pierre Frey fabric evocative of Marie-Antoinette’s beloved Petit Trianon and gardens while boasting views of the Lake of the Swiss Guards, the palace, and the Orangery. It doesn’t take long to assume your role as queen once you’ve arrived at your private quarters.
A Day in the Life of Marie-Antoinette
A day in the life of Marie-Antoinette begins with a royal 18th-century wake-up call (no need to rush; it's believed she woke up around 9 a.m. most days). This involves a butler waking guests with music reflective of the period, an orange-infused almond milk drink inspired by one of the queen’s morning rituals, and a warm bath overlooking the palace gardens. You can opt to enjoy this experience throughout your stay instead of having your iPhone alarm jolt you awake each morning (which, admittedly, does not feel very regal).
After a leisurely soak in your rose-laced bath, it is time to head to the dining room for breakfast. The table is set with a generous basket of impossibly flaky pastries, decadent French butter, and an abundance of seasonal fruits. Plus, you can order any hot beverage and favorite breakfast items to round out your morning meal. From here the day’s schedule is filled with a few key activities reflective of the queen’s daily routine and favorite indulgences, along with plenty of historical education.
One of the most memorable parts of the experience is receiving a private tour of both the château and the Domaine de Trianon, where guests are offered an intimate, exclusive glimpse of the palace and the queen’s beloved haven from all the hustle, bustle, and gossip of château life. Considering 15 million people visit the palace and grounds each year, getting photos of the Hall of Mirrors and Marie-Antoinette’s cherished English Gardens that don’t include dozens of other people’s selfies is quite a treat.
Now it’s time to indulge. The Airelles property is home to a striking Valmont Spa, featuring exclusive treatments modeled after Marie-Antoinette’s best beauty secrets. The Majestic Mirror facial focuses on refining the face and décolleté through facial massage techniques and collagen masking, while the Divine Beauty for Hands treatment offers the ultimate manicure experience. You also have the chance to partake in a fragrance-making workshop inspired by the queen’s favorite scents, which allows you to recreate some of the most popular skincare products used in her court. Talk about the ultimate souvenir.
Before or after afternoon tea, you need to dress the part. A hair and makeup artist trained in 18th-century styles as well as a costume designer who has worked on period pieces in television and film comes to your "royal" chambers to outfit you in style. I was dressed in a stunning gown that featured a jeweled bodice used on the juicy Versailles TV series and adorned with diamond and pearl jewelry, and yes, a corset was involved. My hair was swept up in a glamorous 18th-century updo, complete with a feather accessory; wigs are available for those with short or thin hair that won’t tower nearly a foot overhead.
Along the way you learn all sorts of interesting beauty tidbits from your “royal” dressers, including that where a freckle was drawn on a woman’s face gave insight into her relationship status during this period (who needs Hinge or Tinder when you have this simple gesture?). The good news is the gals don’t get to have all the fun: Costumes are also available for men and children who want to participate.
After a busy day of being pampered, you work up quite an appetite, and lucky for you the legendary Alain Ducasse has a spectacular Michelin-starred dining outpost inside the hotel. Dine on an unforgettable menu inspired by the grand feasts held at the château with some contemporary twists that feel appropriate for modern-day monarchs. Interestingly the infamous Madame Deficit was a teetotaler and never had a sip of alcohol in her life. While she wouldn’t have imbibed of the impeccable selection of Champagnes and other acclaimed regional bottles, it’s OK to stray from historical accuracy a bit—just as your favorite period piece does.
Beyond the Marie-Antoinette experience, Le Grand Contrôle offers an array of one-of-a-kind opportunities for enjoying this legendary landmark unlike anyone else. You can go horseback riding on the castle grounds to explore as much of the nearly 2,000-acre park as possible, savor a lavish picnic overlooking the Grand Canal, enjoy stellar views of the palace and Paris by aircraft with a glass of Champagne in hand, and revel in a private performance at the Royal Opera house. If you want to continue living as Marie-Antoinette did, then you can even book an in-suite personal shopping day featuring the latest fashions from Paris and plenty of macarons from Ladurée (did I mention the hotel has platters of them around every corner?).
There’s truly no better way to make the history of one of the world’s most famous and beautiful palaces come alive than with a stay at this spectacular property, and it is certain to leave you dreaming of your next grand return. Thankfully, unlike Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI, you will be welcomed back with open arms anytime you wish.
Lauren Wicks is a freelance writer and editor based in Birmingham, Alabama. Before going on her own, Lauren worked for brands such as VERANDA, EatingWell, and Cooking Light, and she covers all things lifestyle from interior design and luxury travel to wine and wellness.
