A must-see
article | Reading time5 min
Discover this magnificent round room in the Château de Haroué, with its exuberant, exotic decor!
The boudoir spirit, in vogue in the refined society of the Age of Enlightenment
The Salon Pillement, also known as the "Chinese Salon", is a boudoir that also served as a music salon.
For a long time, its decoration was attributed - wrongly, it seems - to Lyon painter Jean Pillement, a specialist in "chinoiseries".
Observe this perfect example of "fresco painting", i.e. painting directly on the wall!
This cabinet is unique in Lorraine and is one of the oldest chinoiseries in France. The "salon chinois" at the Château de Champs-sur-Marne is another example!
Here, Marie-Catherine de Beauvau-Craon, the famous Marquise de Boufflers, a woman of the world and a wit, entertained King Stanislas , who often stayed at Haroué. At first, she was his friend and confidante... before becoming his mistress. It is said that he loved a woman who loved only parties and pleasure.
Burned to death in 1766, Stanislas's last thoughts were for the Marquise, to whom he sent this bill: " Madame, in such cruel moments, should I still burn with a thousand fires for you?
© Colombe Clier / Centre des monuments nationaux
The Rocaille spirit
Everything in the Salon Pillement at château de Haroué reflects the Rocaille spirit. But what is Rocaille?
It's an 18th century artistic movement that flourished in France, from the Regency onwards, in architectural ornamentation and the decorative arts, emphasizing the interplay of curves.
In painting, artists illustrated light, seductive, gallant or exotic subjects, in a treatment where the decorative or even anecdotal aspect prevailed.
- Light is omnipresent, with large windows and mirrors to reflect it,
- Roundness and curved lines, with the shape of the furniture adapted to the tower's architecture,
- painting, gilded stucco and musical instrument trophies reflect a taste for the arts,
- furniture that's lighter (it can be moved!) and more elegant in its lines,
- pastel tones,
- and last but not least, a taste for the exotic.
© Colombe Clier / Centre des monuments nationaux
