Monday, July 11, 2011

Party Like It's 1789

Ready to rock like Amadeus.
Bonjour and greetings my friends from around the world!

Paris wasn't the talk of the week, but rather a little town just outside of Paris called Versailles.  Versailles features a remarkable castle called the Chateau Versailles that was built over a period of nearly 100 years and started by the sun-king Louis IV.  Here's the history for any nerds reading this: Palace of Versailles - Wikipedia

The building and gardens are absolutely stunning and have been in the hands of the people since 1789.  Few parties have been held there since, though a famous treaty or two has been signed.  You might remember the Treaty of Versailles from history class when you were a kid.  I think the Germans just made the last payment on that one last year.

According to my sources... there have been 3 parties in Versailles in the past decade.  One for royalty, one for an Indian billionaire and last night's part which was open to the public... insomuch as the public that could afford the costume, tickets and transportation to Versailles.  For me this was a new record in party expense and I don't care to talk too freely about it but lets say that over 1,000 Euros fled my bank account before the night was over.

The party itself was held in the Orangerie, a garden nestled off to the front right of the castle (or back left if you think of the street as the front).  The garden is famous for it's box-planted trees and is surrounded by an indoor pavilion with HUGE vaulted marble ceilings.  The venue was absolutely stunning... astonishing... I was drunk with awe before the champagne even had a chance.

From here, my friends.  I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Your friend,
Sir Robyn

What?  You didn't think I'd go without a date did you?

The girls... giddy with anticipation.

Pre-party fireworks lit up the gardens.

Ooooohhh!

Ahhhhhh!!!



A subtle gesture reveals that it is time to party.

Oh, don't worry about that.  I'm ready to party.

The excited guests are funneled into the hall.

Ooooh!  Ahhh!

A view from the VIP section.

Well dressed VIP's.

Sir Robyn stops to plan his next move.

The ladies conspire.

Sir Robyn: International gadfly; time traveller.

A mid-party fire show.  Why not?

One of the dancers burst into sparks and flame!

Time to mingle with the Parisian gentry.

12:30am:  Fresh gays are shipped in.

Revellers dance the night away.

A lanky man attempts to dance a quadrille.

The professional dancers enthrall.

A creative and colourful costume.

The military was present.

The dancers had several acts, each of which was quite unique.

M'lady!

Slinky. 

More conspiring.

Marie Antoinette pays a visit.

The women werent' the only ones to conspire.



A scene from the VIP room.

A man in a dress insisted that I take his picture.  :)



A flirt.  A very very excellent flirt.

A baron and Baroness of high distinction.

Champagne is not to be wasted!

4 comments:

  1. So much fun! Loved all of the pics. I would have loved to be a part of that! Truly beautiful and astonishing....a one of a kind experience!

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  2. Thank you Heather. It was an amazing time and yes you would have added to it, could you have been here, I'm sure!

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  3. Whao is all I can say. Now I like a good costume party but man did you go all out! Bravo!

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  4. This is so amazing. Thank you Sir Robyn for posting these fun time photos. You really made me feel good. I love costume parties, but reality is I don't get time to arrange these kind of party and my friends are not here with me. Responsibilities of running a shop don't let me arrange time for parties.

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