Magazine n°43 - Château de Versailles

Dossier : La Fontaine facing the power

The animal kingdom

A long time ignored or simply exploited, animals became, from the end of the 15th century, subjects of study in their own right. Even before the work undertaken by scientists, La Fontaine's Fables offered an unparalleled showcase for the various species. At the same time, King Louis XIV proposed carrousels and cavalcades that showcased his equines in colourful and festive shows. So when, under the reign of his successor, the Beast of Gévaudan terrorised the countryside, it became clear that it would take all the skill and science of men to defeat this unusual animal. In a way, animals will never again be considered, after this time, as they had been for too long.

(David Chanteranne, editor of Château de Versailles. From the Ancien Régime to the Present)

Co-publishers: Château de Versailles and Editions Soteca, 2021
Number of pages: 82 pages
Periodicity: N°43 (October-November-December 2021)
Dimensions: 23 x 29.7 cm
Language: French