Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France, Volume 7 Being the Historic Memoirs of Madam Campan, First Lady in Waiting to the Queen   By: Jeanne Louise Henriette Campan (1752-1822)

Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette offers a captivating and intimate look into the life of one of the most famous queens in history. Madam Campan provides a first-hand account of the daily life, politics, scandals, and intrigue that surrounded the court of Marie Antoinette. Her detailed recollections paint a vivid picture of the lavish lifestyle of the French aristocracy and the pressures faced by the royal family during a turbulent time in history.

Through Campan's eyes, readers gain insight into Marie Antoinette's personality, her relationships with her family, friends, and courtiers, as well as her struggles with the responsibilities of being queen. The author's keen observations and honest reflections offer a rare glimpse into the private world of a queen who was both revered and reviled by her subjects.

Overall, Memoirs of the Court of Marie Antoinette is a valuable historical document that sheds light on a fascinating period in French history. Campan's prose is engaging and her storytelling is both informative and entertaining. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the life and times of Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution.

First Page:

On the same day (11th August), at nine in the evening, I returned to the Feuillans. I found there were orders at all the gates forbidding my being admitted. I claimed a right to enter by virtue of the first permission which had been given to me; I was again refused. I was told that the Queen had as many people as were requisite about her. My sister was with her, as well as one of my companions, who came out of the prisons of the Abbaye on the 11th. I renewed my solicitations on the 12th; my tears and entreaties moved neither the keepers of the gates, nor even a deputy, to whom I addressed myself... Continue reading book >>