Pavillon de la Muette, Royal hunting pavilion in Saint-Germain-en-Laye Forest, France.
Pavillon de la Muette is an octagonal hunting lodge set in a forest clearing, featuring symmetrical facades with large windows on each side that flood the interior with light. The building contains elegant rooms finished with original wooden panels and marble floors.
Built in 1767 by architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel under King Louis XV, the pavilion reflects architectural styles comparable to the Petit Trianon. It later became a venue for hunting events and diplomatic gatherings under subsequent French leaders.
This hunting lodge served as a setting for royal gatherings and court ceremonies, where rulers demonstrated their power and status through hunting expeditions in the surrounding forest. The design itself reflects the taste and lifestyle of the French aristocracy during this period.
Access to the pavilion is by guided tour only, with visits primarily offered on summer weekends and requiring advance booking. Visitors should know the pavilion sits within the forest, so comfortable walking shoes are helpful for reaching it through the wooded grounds.
Two private patrons funded an extensive restoration beginning in 2019 that repaired structural damage while preserving original features like wooden panels and marble floors. This work prevented the pavilion from further deterioration and returned it to public access.
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