Exploring the Paris catacombs

This September researchers under the direction of medical anthropologist Philippe Charlier have been continuing a scientific exploration of the Paris catacombs begun in September of last year.

A diamond necklace

Sotheby's Geneva  have announced the auction in November of an 18th-century diamond necklace with a pre-sale estimate between $1.8 million and $2.8 million.  The piece is said to incorporate stones from Marie-Antoinette's infamous Diamond Necklace (and it is certainly monstrous enough to make this believable...)

Oudry's hunting scenes (exhibition)

The exhibition "Jean-Baptiste Oudry and the Royal Hunts of Louis XV" takes place at the Château de Fontainebleau from 12th October 2024 to 27th January 2025.  

Year II at the Carnavalet (Exhibition)

The exhibition "Paris 1794-1794: a Revolutionary year" opens at the Musée Carnavalet on 16th October.

Louis XVI before his judges (book)

Olivier Bétourné's new book La Mort du Roi Louis XVI devant ses juges et face à l'Histoire is published on 13th September.

Next year at the V&A: Marie-Antoinette

 The V&A has announced a exhibition for 2025 on Maria Antoinette and her contribution to design and fashion.

The Flood

 A new film on the end of the French monarchy, "The Flood" ("Le Deluge")  by Italian director Gianluca Jodice, opened the  Locarno Film Festival in Milan, on 7th August. 

Robespierre's nose

 A video of  Marianne Gilchrist's excellent talk on Robespierre portraits, given in Cardiff in December 2022, has now been posted on the website of the ARBR Les Amis de Robespierre. Super-sleuthing Marianne!

Sèvres Extraordinaire! (Exhibition)

A press release has been published for a major new exhibition of Sèvres sculpture at the Bard Graduate Center, New York, which will run from 21th September 2024 to 5th January 2025.

Remembering Alistair Laing

The death has been announced of the art historian Alistair Laing, long-time curator at the National Trust and renowned expert on  French 18th-century painting, drawing and sculpture.

Versailles celebrates the horse (Exhibition)

 A new exhibition, on the role of  horses in  history opens at Versailles to coincide with the Olympic Equestrian events.  Horse in Majesty: At the Heart of a Civilisation will run from 2nd July to 3rd November and features some 300 works displayed in various different areas of the Palace. 

Exhibition on Revolutionary costume

An exhibition on Revolutionary dress will run at the Musée de la la Révolution française at Vizille, from 28th June to 10th November.