Louis-Philippe's Family Sitting Room

Decorated in mustard yellow, this room was the family sitting room of King Louis-Philippe. Rather than the gold favored by earlier royals or the red associated with authority, he chose the warm, approachable mustard tone fashionable among middle-class households of the time — a choice reflecting his political philosophy of presenting himself as a "citizen king" who related to ordinary people rather than one who projected royal majesty.

The two round tables in the room each have numbered seats, and every number corresponds to a small drawer where the children could keep embroidery tools, sewing supplies, and personal belongings. With ten children in all, Louis-Philippe assigned each one a numbered spot so nothing would get mixed up. He enjoyed gathering the whole family in this room, each occupied with their own activity.