The Temple of Love

We are now at the Temple of Love, often considered the most beautiful jewel of the Petit Trianon gardens.

As you walk through the trees and catch sight of this white marble temple, it almost feels as though you've stepped back in time into a forest of ancient Greece.

Marie Antoinette had this temple built on a small island in the middle of an artificial stream.

Now, step inside and look up at the ceiling.

At the center, you'll see a rose wreath, a quiver, crossed torches, and arrows tied with ribbons and intertwined with roses and olive branches, all carved into the ceiling.

Surrounding them are 120 flower-shaped ornaments, densely arranged in a circle.

Together, these are all symbols celebrating the triumph of love.

In the center of the temple stands Cupid, the god of love.

He's carving a bow from Hercules' club.

At his feet lies a lion, the symbol of Hercules.

So why does Hercules suddenly appear here?

This sculpture seems to whisper a message to us:

"Even the greatest physical strength ultimately yields to the power of love."

While Marie Antoinette was celebrating the triumph of love, the people of France were growing hungrier by the day.

And yet, as if this temple alone wasn't enough, she went on to create an entire world of her own idealized countryside.

Now, shall we go and see it together?

Please follow the map to the Queen's Hamlet.

It's about a 7-minute walk.

When you arrive at the peaceful lake, please start the next chapter.