Versailles (2015-)

The new drama focusing on Louis XIV and his building of Versailles is the newest series in a line of shows concerning historical eras. Alas, "Versailles" follows the pattern of "the Tudors" and "the Borgias" when it comes to a rather light take on historical accuracy.

SPOILER ALERT

Historical Inaccuracies 

• While the affair between Louis XIV and Henrietta, Duchesse d'Orléans has been speculated it is far from considered a certain thing; particularly because such an affair would be considered incest in Catholic countries
• A whole string of characters are completely made up: Fabien Marchal, Madame and Mademoiselle de Clermont and the Duc de Cassel, Claudine and her father, Montcourt and the poor family who is murdered by roguesL
• Aniaba of Issigny (the African prince) did actually come to France but not until the 1700's and it is not known whether he was actually a prince
• Marie Thérèse's birth of a black daughter never occurred 
• Naturally, Madame de Montespan could not have forced the Duc de Cassel to come to Versailles - nor have been abused by him - since he is not real
• Louis XIV makes only little resistance to Louise de La Vallière's plea to enter a convent. Although the king refused to let her go he quickly seems to change his mind. In reality he did not permit her to leave until 1674
• The near-fatal illness of Louis XIV took place much earlier than depicted when he was with his army at Metz
• William of Orange's marriage with Mary of England took place in 1677 - not in 1670
• Throughout the first and second season the face of Versailles if completely wrong; for obvious reasons it is the modern facade but considering that CGI was used for other views of the chateau it is still an inaccuracy 
• Louis XIV's affair with Madame de Montespan ends far sooner than their actual rupture

What the show got right:

• The Chevalier de Lorraine was greatly at odds with both Henrietta and Elizabeth Charlotte
• Madame de Montespan is seen urinating in a hallway; although the marquise has never been caught in this situation it was not uncommon amongst other courtiers
• Louis XIV did have affair with both Madame de La Vallière and Madame de Montespan at the same time. They even shared an apartment!
• Today it is widely believed that Henrietta died of natural causes but in her time it was genuinely thought that she could have been poisoned. The culprit was suspected to be the Chevalier de Lorraine
• The fictional Duc de Cassel complains about the size of his "apartment" which he compared to a broom closet. Many of the aristocrats who were housed at Versailles had to make do with tiny, cramped quarters which must have come as a shock compared to their luxurious châteaux

Marie Antoinette (2006)

The errors and facts underneath are more concerned with inaccuracies with the court than with inventions/time. 

Historical Inaccuracies:

• Marie Antoinette is introduced to the Comtesse de Provence although the Comtesse had not yet even arrived at court. She would be married in 1771 and as such would not have been at Versailles when Marie Antoinette arrived in 1770
• The transfer of Marie Antoinette happened on the island near Kehl. Therefore, when ambassador Mercy informs her that she has arrived at Shuttern he is mistaken. The Archduchess spent a few days in the town of Shuttern before entering French soil.
• The first "Bourbon born in his generation" is not the son of the Comte and Comtesse de Provence. The Duc d'Angoulême was the son of the Comte d'Artois. The Comte and Comtesse de Provence never had child.
• Marie Antoinette's birthday party is celebrated in the midst of summer flowers but she was born in November
• The entire Affair of the Diamond Necklace is left out
• While at Petit Trianon Marie Antoinette is seen having a very sensual affair with Count Fersen. Historical evidence considered, it is unlikely that the two ever had a physical love affair

What the movie got right:

• Although Kirsten Dunst's underwear can be seen if you really look closely when she is wearing her chemise, the movie attempts to make it looks as if she was naked underneath. This would indeed have been the case in the 18th century.

Trivia:

• In the scene when Marie Antoinette's portrait with her children is exchanged there is a vital difference. The young Princesse Sophie died shortly after being born which is why the baby in the crib is missing on the second portrait - she was painted out.
• The Converse shoes seen in the "shopping montage" is put there deliberately. Sophia Coppola had them put there to remind the audience that the young queen was still a teenager
• Some people consider it a mistake that the dress Marie Antoinette wears when she gets into the carriage in Vienna is blue but the dress at the transfer ceremony is white. This is not a mistake. The journey took several days and she would have changed dresses.
• It is also on purpose that the movie ends with the beginning of the revolution. Sophia Coppola meant to show the life of Marie Antoinette before the revolution.