Imagine. You receive an invitation from the House of the Emperor and its “food service” to a meal served in December 1862. This is what the Château de Pierrefonds offers during the Christmas holidays.
In the large and majestic Salle des Preuses, an exceptional table is set at the foot of the tree. Second Empire crockery and silver cutlery are carefully aligned on an immaculate tablecloth.
The menu offers a glimpse of the finest dishes, cooked with all the knowledge of the great chefs of the time. On this New Year’s Eve of December 24, 1862, an herb soup will open the feast, followed by starters consisting of a vol au vent and a partridge salmis. What will precede “the big pieces”, namely a Godard chicken and a Salmon in a planter. A beef Rossini will be presented before the desserts. Successively: Basque piperade, Maître d’Hôtel flageolets, Rice à l’Impératrice and the famous Gâteau de Compiègne. Fruits, liqueurs and coffee will close these imperial feasts.
French, English and Russian service
“We want to discover the gastronomic traditions of the end of the 19th century,” explains Séverine Leleu, communications manager for the châteaux of Pierrefonds and Coucy.
In this historical setting, the perfect reconstruction reinforces the solemn atmosphere of the moment. “We offer “flash presentations” to visitors who sit down and transport themselves to the Second Empire,” continues Séverine Leleu. They will know everything about the different services of the time, French, English or Russian…”, lists Séverine Leleu.
“To be there, you of course had to be invited by the Emperor,” explains Séverine Leleu. There were also “privileges” which allowed holders to see the table. But they could not participate in the meal. Each guest had two valets at their disposal.”
The emperor demanded that we start at 7 p.m. sharp
True to his reputation, the Emperor demanded that we be present at 7 p.m. sharp. He was strict about accuracy because he didn’t like spending too much time at the table, considering it was wasted time. “However, he savored what was served to him,” confides Séverine Leleu. Gourmet but in no way greedy, Napoleon III left the table around 9:30 p.m. He then met the guests during an evening which could be enhanced with a ball or games, which the court was fond of.
The Château de Pierrefonds has therefore pulled out all the stops, or rather, dishes that are also exceptional. It may come from the collections from the years 1867 to 1870, when work was still being carried out to give the Château de Pierrefonds its current luster. “There are also pieces from private collections that are loaned to us,” explains Séverine Leleu.
We can also see plates decorated with the figure of Napoleon III. For these visits, the public and even children will be able to sit at the table. Thanks to the speaker Marine Bilbeault, he will discover how these meals take place. The use of different cutlery and everything that is defined as “etiquette will no longer hold any secrets for the participants,” explains Séverine Leleu.
Among the guests, Louis II of Bavaria or Viollet-le-Duc
These festive meals provide a showcase for the new technologies of the time, such as metallurgy or means of transport, which experienced extensive development during the Second Empire. Thus contributing to its influence in the world.
We know, for example, that the famous Viollet-le-Duc, Napoleon III’s favorite architect, was regularly invited to the imperial table. As well as Ludwig II of Bavaria among the distinguished guests.
The “flash presentations” to discover Napoleon III’s festive table take place on Sundays December 29, 2024 and January 5, 2025 at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Lasting approximately 30 minutes, they are open to the general public without reservation.
To your taste buds with your family!
Alongside the discovery of the Emperor’s table, the Château de Pierrefonds offers a family workshop entitled “To your taste buds”, for children accompanied by their families. Budding pastry chefs will be able to learn how to make small cakes.
Cookie-cutter silhouettes of historical monuments, such as the Pantheon, the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau, the Arc de Triomphe and the Château de Pierrefonds allow young participants to cut out the shortbread. They thus create treats then garnished with chocolate and colored pastilles, all covered with a colored cream.
“She loves painting… So it’s a joy for her,” confides Leena’s mother, busy preparing her biscuit. We can see the dome of the Pantheon. This workshop has had some success. “It’s nice, we learn and then we eat the cakes at snack time,” says one participant.
Family workshops “To your taste buds!” take place on December 26, 28 and 30, 2024 and January 2 and 4, 2025 at 2:30 p.m. The price is €9 for adults and €6 for under 18s. Reservation recommended.
