Foquet’s outlandish folly

By Fiona Ogilvie
February 11 2017 - 4:00am
Then French finance minister Nicolas Fouquet failed to impress his king, Louis 14th, with the opulence of his gardens at Versailles. Imprisoned for life, the king claimed the gardens as his own.
Then French finance minister Nicolas Fouquet failed to impress his king, Louis 14th, with the opulence of his gardens at Versailles. Imprisoned for life, the king claimed the gardens as his own.

Arriving at the National Gallery in Canberra (NGA) to visit the exhibition of Treasures from the Palace of Versailles, I was greeted by the heavenly scent of orange blossom. The delicious fragrance was no accident, but rather specially created by master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian to enhance the exhibition foyer.

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