A Place at the Royal Table

For the European Year of Cultural Heritage, the Network of European Royal Residences unveils the programme A Place at the Royal Table. From 15 March, when the exhibition entitled Why do we eat the way we do? opens at Schloss Hof palace in Austria, you are invited to join in the many events devoted to the gastronomic heritage of European Courts, and enjoy a journey through time exploring culinary traditions!

“A Place at the Royal Table” in Europe

The European Year of Cultural Heritage sees numerous events being held across Europe to celebrate our gastronomic heritage. 19 royal residences of the Network of European Royal Residences are taking part in “A Place at the Royal Table”, a rich programme offering something for everyone, from exhibitions and seminars to shows and pageantry. It is an ideal opportunity for visitors to learn about the cultural heritage of Europe via the culinary traditions and gastronomy that are an integral part of each country’s culture.

Events in Versailles

The Public Institution of the Palace, Museum and National Estate of Versailles is organising a multitude of cultural events exploring the themes of culinary art, food and gastronomy during the Ancien Régime in Versailles.

Themed tour

From April to October, an audio-guided, themed tour of the State Apartments will be available in seven languages. The additional tour content complements the traditional tour, guiding visitors through several centuries of gastronomic history at the French Court.

The new audio-guided tour is also available as part of the mobile app, available for free download.

Conference tours

From 3 April, a guided tour titled “At the Royal Table” will be available in the King's Private Apartments on Tuesdays and Sundays at 14:15 with commentary in French. The tour will take a look back through the history and evolution of Court life from a culinary and gastronomic perspective.
Book your place now via the following link:

At the Royal Table

GUIDED TOUR ONLY PROPOSED IN FRENCH

Real model through all Europe, the table of the royal family meets the requirements sovereigns and reflects the transformations of the Court life. Between big public feasts and meals taken in intimacy, the ceremonial is more or less developed and the dishes vary.
To discover in the apartments and through the collections of the Castle.
Duration: 1h30

Price in addition to the admission price

10 € Réserver

At the Royal Table

10 €

At the Royal Table

GUIDED TOUR ONLY PROPOSED IN FRENCH

Price in addition to the admission price

10 € Réserver

TRIANON GARDENS TOUR

Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet the Trianon gardeners. The tours will reveal the exchanges, within and beyond Europe, that have helped to develop the cultivation and use of various fruit and vegetables at Versailles. Eight guided tours highlight the important role of the Queen’s Kitchen Garden in the history of the Palace of Versailles, from the ways in which certain fruit and vegetables are used to sustainable development and French culinary traditions.
Tours with the Trianon gardeners in french only.

Price : 10 euros

October
Monday 1 October, 10:00-11:30: Garden Produce
Book
Monday 15 October, 10:00-11:30 : Figs
Book

Educational tours

For Garden Week, from 28 May to 8 June, the gardens of Europe will be in the spotlight with a series of educational tours for school groups. Pupils will explore the Queen’s Kitchen Garden at Trianon and learn about the history and changing roles of fruit and vegetables from the era of the French Court to the present day. The explanations and tales will be followed up by cooking and/or gardening workshops coordinated by a mediator.

One-day workshops

There will be two workshops open to the general public.
The first will take place on 22 June and will be devoted to the “The Pineapple, King of Fruit”. The pineapple was first imported from Brazil and has been cultivated in the royal gardens of Europe since the Renaissance era. Conjuring images of exoticism and dining in royal residences, it has also inspired many an artist in the decoration of textiles, furniture and pieces of art.

Details of the *Pineapple* by Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686-1755)
© RMN-GP (Château de Versailles) / © Christophe Fouin - Graphisme: Des Signes, Paris

The second workshop, on 28 September, will explore the theme of “Wine in the Courts of Europe” with participation by historians, oenologists and sommeliers.
Workshops will take place in the auditorium (Dufour Pavilion). Available for free upon registration.

Simultaneous Events

A Place at the Royal Table is a programme in which events will take place simultaneously in several royal residences of Europe.
On 23 June, visitors to royal residences in Europe will come together symbolically in the gardens of participating Palaces for a simultaneous outdoor gathering. On the same day, a photography competition will be launched on Instagram via #EuropeanRoyalPalaces, so you can use this hashtag to share your best royal palace pictures!

On 19 July 2018, the Network will celebrate its third Palace Day. This year’s theme is culinary art and gastronomy. Join in by posting your photos on the theme of European influences in gastronomy with the hashtags #PalaceDay and #EuropeanRoyalTable, as well as mentioning the appropriate royal residence.

Click on the following link for the full programme www.europeanroyalresidences.eu

EUROPEAN ROYAL RESIDENCES ASSOCIATION (ARRE)

The European Royal Residences Association is a unique network that was created in 2001 at the initiative of the Palace of Versailles. The ARRE plays a major role on the European cultural scene. Its members comprise 25 royal residences from 13 countries of the European Union, Monaco and Russia.