20th Anniversary of Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola

In 2006, Sofia Coppola’s Marie-Antoinette offered a fresh take on the queen. Far removed from the traditional historical portrayal, the film revealed a young woman caught up in both the splendour and the constraints of court life, with a decidedly contemporary sensibility.

When Versailles meets Sofia Coppola’s vision

Twenty years on, the Palace of Versailles is celebrating this encounter between a cult film and the very setting that served as its backdrop: the Trianon Estate, so dear to Marie-Antoinette. The exhibition, on display at the Petit Trianon from 22 September 2026 to 24 January 2027, invites visitors to rediscover how the American director brought the story to life, transforming the royal apartments, gardens and settings of Versailles into true narrative spaces.

A different way of telling Marie-Antoinette’s story

You will discover the links between film-making and heritage. Behind the images that left their mark on an entire generation lie directorial choices, aesthetic decisions and narrative techniques that have helped to reshape our view of Marie-Antoinette. The exhibition thus highlights Versailles’ ability to inspire artists of every era, whilst reminding us just how much cinema can breathe new life into historic sites in the collective imagination. Combining memories of the film shoot, references to the film itself and a dialogue with the palace’s collections, this celebration of the twentieth anniversary of Marie Antoinette offers a fresh perspective on a monument we believed we knew well. It is an opportunity to discover Versailles from an unexpected angle, at the crossroads of history, creativity and popular culture.

To extend your visit, set off to explore the royal town of Versailles.

History comes to life in Paris Region’s exhibitions.