Les Pavillons: French Pavilions of the 18th Century

Second edition (1962) copy of Les Pavillons: French Pavilions of the 18th Century by Cyril Connolly and Jerome Zerbe.

Les Pavillons (there is no English word which conveys the exact meaning, and for that reason this book, written by an Englishman and illustrated by an American, has a French title) were the "small houses" (les petits châteaux) as opposed to the castles of their domains and the vast palace of Versailles, built by the courtiers and mistresses of Louis XIV and Louis XV to escape the stifling discipline of the royal court. They were also intended by these uneasy favorites of fortune for their relaxations, of which they had four: conversation, making love, eating, and cards. Reading and music were only occasionally indulged in.

In the pavilions, which are small only by comparison, there gathered a society of philosophers, aristocrats, men of pleasure, and ladies such as Madame du Barry and the Pompadour. Mr. Zerbe's beautiful photographs recreate for us an age which covered two reigns, extravagant, eccentric, splendid, and doomed. In the words of Louis XV,
"Things as they are will last my time."

The pavilions were built by architects of genius. The rooms were filled with paintings by Boucher and Fragonard. There were sculptures by Le Moyne. The boiserie, the furniture, the silver were designed by artisans of exquisite taste. The society has totally vanished, the furniture and pictures are scattered, but the pavilions remain. 

Mr. Connolly in a masterly introduction evokes for us the particular qualities of these men and women and the brilliance of the age. Here is a recreation in pictures and words of a civilization "as marvelous, and as far, far away as that of Rameses," whose study can also be a lesson for our time.

Hardcover with dust jacket 

Authors: Cyril Connolly and Jerome Zerbe

Edition/Year: second edition, 1962, The Macmillan Company

Condition: good vintage condition 

Dimensions: 11.25" x 8.25"