Bellevue

The Château de Bellevue was designated for Madame de Pompadour when it was built in 1750. It was set in Meudon and had a beautiful view of the Seine - "Bellevue" literally means "beautiful view". However, the château was demolished in 1823 and as such it is yet another château that no longer remains. Conveniently enough it is located between Louis XV's own two châteaux (Meudon and Saint-Cloud). Madame de Pompadour and Louis XV were both passionate amateur architects and took a deep interest in the construction of this little pleasure house. The architect Jean Cailleteau was hired to create Madame de Pompadour's new property.

Madame de Pompadour was given this piece of land by her royal lover just before their physical relationship ended which happened to be in the same year that Bellevue was built. It is a kind gesture on behalf of Louis XV that he is not discarding his maîtresse-en-titre but kept her as his closest friend. Actually this château would serve as a private meeting place for the two. Eventually Louis bought back the property and had the two extra wings added. During the revolution (at this time it was the property of Mesdames Tantes) it was completely looted for the riches there.

This is how the château looked in 1750 from the courtyard

Madame de Pompadour's Bellevue

Both of these floor plans face the same way: the outer stairs at the "top" of the floor plan is the view of the Seine while the staircase at the "bottom" is facing the courtyard. 

A. Cabinet de Toilette

B. Madame de Pompadour's Bedchamber

C. Back Cabinet

D. Library

E. Hall of the Guards

F. Swiss Staircase

G. Antechamber 

H. Vestibule

I. Dining Hall

J. Cabinet de Compagnie 

K. Wardrobe

L. Great Staircase

M. Small Gallery

N. Music Salon

O. Small Staircase

The rooms on the first floor has received the number "1" before their letter to avoid confusion with the rooms on the ground floor

1A. Gold Cabinet

1B. The King's Bedchamber

1C. The King's Café 

1D. Chamber of the First Valet

1E. Third Chambre

1F. Wardrobe

1G. Antechamber

1H. Second Chamber

1I. Sacristy

1J. Chapel

1K. The Chapel's Antechamber

1L. Council Chamber

1M. Apartment for one of the King's men

1N. Antechamber to M

1O. Great Staircase

1P. First Chamber

1Q. Wardrobe

1R. Cabinet

1S. Cabinet

The Wings Added by Louis XV

The original part (that of Madame de Pompadour) is marked with red and the courtyards with stripes. This floor plan also includes the apartments of Mesdames Tantes after the château became theirs at their father's death. If you are wondering about those three letters after "z" then they are Scandinavian - in this case Danish - and I am just used to using them.

A. Bathrooms

B. 3rd Antechamber of Madame Adélaïde

C. Bedroom of Madame Adélaïde

D. Madame Adélaïde's Cabinet

E. Louis XV's Cabinet

F. Madame Adélaïde's Interieur Cabinet

G. Madame Adélaïde's Bathroom

H. Bedroom of the Captain of the Guard / 1st Antechamber of Madame Adélaïde

I. Louis XV's Toilet

J. Council Chamber / Madame Victoire's Hall of Nobles

K. Louis XV's Bedchamber / Madame Victoire's Bedchamber

L. Louis XV's 2nd Antechamber / Small Cabinet of Madame Victoire

M. Madame Victoire's 2nd Antechamber

N. "English Bed"

O. Louis XV's 1st Antechamber / Chamber of Madame Victoire

P. Dining Room / Second Vestibule 

Q. Vestibule / First Vestibule

R. Small Staircase

S. Music Salon / Madame Victoire's Library

T. Great Staircase

U. Small Gallery

V. First Salon / Billiard Room

W. Second Salon / Winter Salon

Y. Great Dining Hall / Great Summer Salon

X. Chapel

Z. Dining Hall

Æ. King's Buffet / Buffet

Ø. Sacristy 

Å. Large Gallery

AA. Room of the Lower Courtyard