The Queen Of Versailles

[in a mo]

Has anyone on AB seen this documentary yet , it was made in 2012 , it follows the up's and downs of a billionaire who built a company who sold timeshare apartments , the largest timeshare company in America , in a nutshell it starts with all the trappings of wealth and ends with the husband fretting over how many lights are left on in the house.
The husband and wife start to build what would be the largest family home in America, 37 bathrooms have been just a start, millions of dollars spent on reproduction furniture , they wanted everything that they saw when they went on a holiday to France .He drew a rough design of the house which he wanted to copy.
The up to date news is that they managed to stop the house from foreclosure, the aim now is to finish the house in 3 years in time to celebrate his 80th Birthday,Hi wife said that she never wanted Children untill she knew she could have nannies.
If you have the chance to see it then it is just incredible , all the money in the world and these people still allow their dogs to defecate anywhere they wish its ok the maid will clear it , maybe that is why the lights are all left on Forever !.The rights to the film has been bought by Bravo in America

[Ric.ror]

I have not seen it but TBH - I was not that impressed with Versailles when I went - the building was ok and the gardens were a treat but it was nothing like as spectacular as Buckingham Palace which I also visited
Buck House also had a display of the Queens diamonds too - just to gild the lily

[Octavius]

Jackie Siegel was not too happy about that programme and felt they came across as "trashy" even to the point of saying that had she known so many people would see it she would have worn more make up!

Anyhow, she is working on a reality tv series now.

http://jacquelinesiegel.net/

[Sharingan]

I just watched the trailer having already been a judegmental little bunny and deciding in my own head that I'd hate them /it. But actually I thought they came off as quite down to earth ( not even sure how that's possible thinking about it, but they seemed quite nice).
http://www.magpictures.com/thequeenofversailles/

[coccinelle]

Just something to say to ric.ror; Versailles isn't furnished as it was when the kings lived there as during the revolution it was plundered. What you see is furniture saved from other castles and manoirs.

[Ric.ror]

Coccinelle - Yes thats exactly what I thought - it was rather basic compared to the palace but I also noticed the mirrors in the hall of ... were rather tarnished
The day we went was a Sunday in late September - it was a glorious day and the fountains were on - they aren't on every day
As we walked around piped music was playing - you could really get a feel for how they used to live

[FredPuli43]

Indeed, coccinelle. When I had a guided tour , the guide showed nothing in furniture or furnishings which would have fetched much at Drouot or Christie's, if they accepted it at all. But you can't replicate the gardens now; brilliant design, many years in establishment, and maintained by a huge number of staff. The view from the main terrace, over the long water, is worth the price of admission on its own. Inside, the Hall of Mirrors is spoiled only by being genuine; the mirrors of the time were doomed to fail and blacken; but overall, and without studying detail, it is most impressive.

Have no time for rich people with no taste who wish to impress, so that's the end of that programme! Hearst Castle is an example to avoid,too.

[coccinelle]

ric.ror 70% of the mirrors are 350 years old! Not sure if you've been since 2007 but the galerie was restaured then.

Had a look at the trailer in the link from Sharingan; I'd be interested in seeing this.... just for how outrageous it is. I pity the kids growing up in this kind of environment though.

[FredPuli43]

Coccinelle, we can tell you are French ! LOL. You put "restaured" as a Franco-Anglais typo. But your secret is safe with us. And you know more about Versailles than we do. Strange to think that enormous place was built only for one season in the year. Not so strange to think that it was built outdo a wealthy courtier who was getting above his station. Human nature is the same whether you are French or English and a ruler.

[in a mo]

I think he will die a miserable old man , wait until it comes to a will, then the dogs will come in handy , when the S$&t hits the fan.

As for Mrs Siegal's makeup did you see when she was having the Botox, the bags under her eyes treatment I think she looks way older than 46 Any good man would be able to tell his wife she look ridiculous with her fake boobs on display , I have no problem with large boobs but there is a time and a place ,walking around the kitchen in her $30,000 shoes Mink Coat stepping in dog Poo,very classy oh and what about the dead Lizzard in the tank , all because the girl do not water it ,as no one would take her to a pet store also dead fish in another tank. So spoilt.

[coccinelle]

Ha Fred it's 'restored' (I sometimes muddle spellings up like that.) Yes, the story of Vaux-le-Vicomte castle and Fouquet is interesting and sad. That's a castle to visit!!

[Ric.ror]

I went in 2011 - Sorry but they did not do a very good job of the restoration if thats the case
One side of the buliding was wrapped - so I presume they were doing some work on it then
The house staff were rude and surly BUT - the gardens were magnificent and the gift shop staff were sweet and charming.
Would I go again? Course I would
BTW - I also visited Monets house and garden which in contrast was sweet and simple

[FredPuli43]

Coccinelle, on language and spelling, I do worse, and perhaps you do, even now. When I am in England after being in France or here speaking French, I cannot find the English word for something but only the French word. Curiously, I don't have this affliction as much in France, but I do with one word. That word is coat-hanger. Why I cannot retrieve the French for coat-hanger when I need it in mid-sentence is some deep psychological mystery rooted in childhood, but it has survived 50 years so far and shows no signs of disappearing.I shall have to introduce "le coat hanger" into French.

[coccinelle]

Well, to make it really 'french' just add the -ing and there you have le coat-hangering...;-)

[FredPuli43]

I see you didn't tell me what the Academie's preferred French is for "coat hanger". I would only forget instantly, so that may be wise :)

[in a mo]

FRED /COCC have you seen the film that we were posting about ? We seem to have gone off point.
Onwards and upwards.

[coccinelle]

in a mo; no, I haven't seen it. Can you get it on DVD? I did mention it on my 14.12 post as I said I'd be interested.
Sorry for going off topic, that's what sometimes happens in threads... so back to the point in question.

(And just to add for Fred; it's a porte-manteau.Just think manteau for coat and it'll come.)