Pavillon Frais (Cool Pavilion), Versailles

During his reign, King Louis XV often found court life either over-taxing or tedious. His mistress-en-titre Madame de Pompadour persuaded him to have a “small retreat” built on the grounds of Versailles where they could relax with a few friends and this idea resulted in the construction of the Cool Pavilion.

Far from being a little cottage, the Pavilion, designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel in 1750, is a miniature palace standing in front of a terrace and a sizeable pond. It was used for lunch parties and open-air concerts.

The façade is rather simple, with large French windows, topped by fan-lights over which you will see stone masks. A balustrade surrounds the roof and there are four pairs of statues of cherubs, or perhaps young children. Each pair represents one of the seasons and one of the elements. There are also eight pairs of stone jardinières filled with lead wildflowers.

The interior consists of a large circular room which you can visit, and four smaller chambers which you can’t. The chambers were the kitchen, the warming room, the boudoir and the wardrobe.

The main room has a beautiful ornate chandelier and an inlaid marble floor. Its walls are painted in a clear green and the decorations and woodwork are in gilt. The elaborate carvings around the ceiling are of children and symbolize fishing, gardening and hunting; intertwined with the carvings of flowers and vines you will see pigeons, ducks, swans and hens.