Introduction

This book challenges common perceptions of Marie Antoinette, appraising the last Queen of France’s role in relation to the events of the French Revolution through an original analysis of contemporary heritage practices and visitor perceptions at her former home, the Petit Trianon. Controversy and martyrdom have placed Marie Antoinette’s image within a spectrum of cultural caricatures that range from taboo to iconic. With a foundation in critical heritage studies, this book examines the diverse range of contemporary images portraying Marie Antoinette’s historical character, showing how they affect the interpretation and perception of the Petit Trianon. By considering both producers and receivers of these cultural heritage exponents – Marie Antoinette’s historical figure and the historic house museum of the Petit Trianon – the book expands current understandings of twenty-first century cultural heritage perceptions in relation to tourism and popular culture.