A Day in the 18th century

A new exhibition at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, running 18th February to 5th July,  recreates "a day in the 18th-century" at a Parisian townhouse. Looks gorgeous!

Marat: Prophet of Terror (book)

The new biography of Marat by Keith Michael Baker is published by Chicago University Press; available in the UK from 18th November.

Gardens of the Enlightenment (Exhibition)

The exhibition "Gardens of Enlightenment (1750-1800)" will run at Versailles (Grand Trianon and English Garden of the Petit Trianon) from 5th May to 27th September 2026.

The unknown Louis XVI (expo)

The Hôtel Abbatial in Lunéville is to host a new temporary exhibition entitled ‘Louis XVI, l’inconnu de Versailles‘ , to run from 10th April 2026 to 28th February 2027.

Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI exhibition at Fontainebleau

The exhibition  "Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI at Fontainebleau: Splendour and the Sweetness of Life" runs at the Château de Fontainebleau from 11th October 2026 to 25th January 2027, marking  the 240th anniversary of the royal couple's final visit in 1786.

Spotlight on Mick Jagger's house

An article by Fanny Guénon des Mesnards published in Architectural Digest on 10th January spotlights the Château de Fourchette in the Loire Valley, which once belonged to the duc de Choiseul.  Mick Jagger has owned (and by all accounts loved) the property since 1980.

Prison memoirs

In the wake of Nicolas Sarkozy's "Journal d'un prisonnier", an article in the Engelberg Ideas (by Muriel Zagha, 13th January) considers the French tradition of prison memoirs, with its roots  in the 18th century.

Bonaparte: A Mechanized Revolution

Released on 9th November, and now available on Steam for £20.99, the new strategy game, Bonaparte: a Mechanized Revolution by  Quebec developers Studio Imugi.

Labille-Guiard self=portrait

 The Palace of Versailles has pre-empted a self portrait by Adélaïde Labille-Guiard, dated 1782, which was offered for sale by the auction house Tajan on 17th December .

Christmas in the Loire châteaux

Every Christmas the  Centre des monuments nationaux organises festive events at a selection of Loire Valley châteaux. This year's special celebrations take place at  six venues  - Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Chinon, Loches and Villandry. The attractions run from 29th November 2025 to 4th January 2026.

The Revolutionary calendar

 Posted on the SER / AHRF YouTube channel on 9th September: a short video on the Revolutionary calendar, presented by Pierre Bourdin, Professor of history at the University of Clermont-Ferrand. (In French only). 

Émilie Du Châtelet - online talk

On 17th December the Center for the History of Women Philosophers and Scientists at Paderborn University is holding an online event to mark Émilie du Châtelet’s 319th birthday.