The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) – Frock Flicks

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009)

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) is a good documentary with good costumes, a combination that is fairly rare.

Part 1: Louis XIV – The Dream of the King (1660-1715)

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — I’m not 100% certain, but that Apollo costume looks an awful lot like the one worn by Benoît Magimel in Le Roi Danse (2000).

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — I really enjoyed the fact that the costumer didn’t shy away from the really ridiculous ribbon pants that were popular during the 1660s.

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — The set design cannot be faulted, considering it was filmed entirely on location at Versailles.

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — One of the under-represented eras on film, the era of the mantua (roughly 1680-1710s).

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — Excellent hair and fontanges on the ladies.

Part 2: Louis LX – The Palace of Pleasure

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — Oh, I know how this works!

You haven’t really lived until you’ve been sternly scolded by a docent at Versailles for flopping on the parquetry in the Hall of Mirrors.

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — Louis XV with his family.

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — The hair, makeup, and jewelry in this show are all beautifully done. I love this necklace and earrings demi-parure that Pompadour wears throughout the episode.

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — I was fairly certain that many of the costumes from the last two episodes were likely pulled from the same stock as Marie Antoinette (2006) but were styled with different accessories or had elements switched up. This shot of the same yellow gown worn by Judy Davis as the Comtesse de Noalles clinched it, though.

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — Is the pink dress on the right another recycled costume from Marie Antoinette (2006)?

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — This is one of the weaker costumes in the show, but that jewelry is utter perfection.

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — I think that the pink gown is, again, recycled from Marie Antoinette (2006) but with a different stomacher.

Part 3: Louis XVI – Countdown to Revolution

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — Marie Antoinette’s gown looks very familiar to me. I’m fairly certain it’s not any of the gowns worn by Kirstin Dunst in Marie Antoinette (2006), though.

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — Louis XVI’s costumes are spot-on for the 1770s-80s. I’m sure this is another stock costume pulled from Marie Antoinette (2006).

The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) — I know I’ve seen this gown before in a film but I can’t quite place it. Dangerous Liaisons?

That tan dress at the back left of the image is definitely a Marie Antoinette (2006) costume.

All in all, this was a good little documentary about the kings and queens that built and inhabited the Palace of Versailles. I definitely recommend it for the history, as well as the eye candy!

Can you identify any of the recycled costumes in The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009)? Tell us in the comments!

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Tags: 1600s 1700s documentary fontange French Revolution great hair historical accuracy history is fun mantua men in wigs pretty boys pretty pretty princesses recycled movie costumes The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009) total eye candy Versailles

3 thoughts on “The Rise and Fall of Versailles (2009)”

ED says:

February 25, 2026 at 7:24 am

I’m not going to lie, Costume Drama dripping with jewellery is some of my very favourite – even if all that glitter makes my palms itch and my fingers quiver.

I don’t THINK any of my ancestors were pirates, but since some of them were military men it wouldn’t surprise me if the thrill of possible plunder were a hereditary reflex.
A. says:

February 25, 2026 at 6:34 pm

I didn’t know I wanted articles on documentaries until this post, thanks!
Damnitz says:

February 26, 2026 at 2:03 am

I think that I have the documentary. I didn’t like that the focus on the palace was weaker in the part about Louis XV.

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