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.

70 years of Studies in the Enlightenment

On the Liverpool University Press blog this month, Gregory Brown, editor of the Oxford University Studies in the Enlightenment, commemorates the 70th anniversary of the series.

Expo at Agen

The exhibition, "French Lights: From the Court of Versailles to Agen” runs at the église des Jacobins in Agen from 5th December to 8th March 2026.

French heritage reinvented (article)

 A feature in France Today, first published on 27th November, considers the strategy of the Centre des monuments nationaux in "reimagining" French heritage sites.

Native Americans at Versailles

The exhibition 1725. Native American Allies At The Court of Louis XV runs at Versailles from 25th November 2025 to 3rd May 2026.

Duchess of Angouleme's tiara

The Court Jeweller website publishes a post, dated 27th October, on the diamond and emerald tiara made for the Duchess d'Angoulême - mercifully still safe in the Louvre collections!

Auction of Lafayette's watch

 A gold pocketwatch belonging to Lafayette was sold by Freeman's in Philadelphia on 12th November. The price fetched,  $44,800, was generally considered disappointing - "rather less than a cheap Rolex".