The restoration of the King's Bed

One in three beds : privacy versus pomp

After several years of work in the workshop, the fretwork and the imperial headboard of the bed in Louis XV’s private apartments within the inner apartments of the Palace of Versailles have been restored. This bed was part of the inner apartments, a private space commissioned by Louis XV to lead a more secluded daily life, away from the scrutiny of the court that was imposed in the grand state bedchamber inherited from Louis XIV.

At Versailles, the king had three beds, each serving a specific purpose. The ceremonial bed was used for the rituals of rising and retiring, in a vast room not particularly conducive to rest. The queen’s bed, shared with Marie-Antoinette, was dedicated to married life. This third bed, more discreet, was for intimacy and daily life. Louis XVI slept there most often between 1775 and 1789, alone.

Restoring a royal bedroom

Recreating this bed presents an exceptional challenge. Like many items of royal furniture, this bed disappeared during the Revolution. A number of the objects were sold off at auctions, whilst symbols of monarchical power were destroyed. Louis XVI’s bed was thus lost, along with the textiles and much of the bedroom’s décor.

Consequently, as no visual representation of the piece had been preserved, the teams relied on a single source: an invoice signed by the king’s sculptor, Pierre-Edmé Babel. Based on these descriptions, extensive research and interpretation work was undertaken. The reconstruction of this exceptional piece was carried out by the sculptors Charles Boulnois and François Gilles, alongside their teams, with the aim of recreating the bed’s forms, proportions and motifs. Each element was redesigned in keeping with the decorative style of the 18th century.

Craftsmanship in the service of history

The gilding, applied using gold leaf, is one of the most striking features of the ensemble. A total of 1,625 sheets of gold leaf cover the bed and its carvings. The installation of the imperial finial, the sculpted top of the canopy, marked a decisive stage in the project. The entirely gilded elements were installed with the utmost care in the King’s bedroom.

At the centre of this composition stands a carved pelican, a Christian and royal symbol. It embodies the figure of the sovereign feeding his people, a powerful image of the monarchical role. This particularly expressive sculpture stirred deep emotion among the craftsmen.

Located outside the route of the Grand Apartments, the chamber will be open to the public from spring 2026 as part of guided tours. This opening offers a rare opportunity to discover a space that has long remained hidden, and to gain a close-up glimpse into the sovereign’s private life.