Mar 13, 2023
Haunted Versailles … The day Marie-Antoinette’s ghost returned to Versailles …
Two English spinsters, Charlotte Anne Moberley and Eleanor Jourdain, claim to have experienced a time slip while visiting the Palace of Versailles in August 1901. They detailed their experiences in a book called “An Adventure,” which was published in 1911.
An Ordinary Day at Versailles
Moberley and Jourdain visited Versailles on a sultry August day, initially touring the palace before embarking on a walk to the Petit Trianon. As they wandered the grounds, they grew increasingly lost and disoriented, eventually coming upon a scene that seemed out of place and time.
Stepping Back in Time
The two women reported seeing old-fashioned buildings, farming equipment, and people dressed in clothing from a different era. Among these figures was a woman sketching trees, whom Moberley and Jourdain later identified as Marie-Antoinette. The women believed they had stepped back in time to October 5, 1789 – the day the King and Queen were taken from Versailles to be imprisoned in Paris.
Research and Ridicule
Moberley and Jourdain spent ten years researching the events and people they had encountered during their time slip. Despite their thorough investigation and academic credentials, their story was met with skepticism and ridicule. To this day, the debate continues over whether the two women fabricated their story or truly experienced a phenomenon known as a time slip.
The Time Slip Controversy
While some believe that time slips are possible, others dismiss the notion as pure fantasy. The story of Moberley and Jourdain remains a fascinating and enduring mystery, with believers and skeptics alike continuing to debate the validity of their extraordinary claims.
The Petit Trianon and Marie-Antoinette
The Petit Trianon is a small chateau located on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles. It was initially built for King Louis XV’s mistress, Madame de Pompadour, between 1762 and 1768. However, Madame de Pompadour died before she could take residence, and her successor, Madame du Barry, moved in. When Louis XVI ascended to the throne in 1774, he gifted the chateau to his wife, Marie-Antoinette, for her personal use. The Petit Trianon became a sanctuary for Marie-Antoinette, where she could escape the formalities and pressures of court life.
The Legacy of the Time Slip Story
The story of Moberley and Jourdain’s alleged time slip at Versailles has captivated readers for over a century. Their book, “An Adventure,” has been republished several times and continues to be the subject of fascination and debate. The tale has inspired numerous articles, discussions, and even works of fiction, exploring the possibility of time slips and the enigmatic life of Marie-Antoinette.
The Science of Time Slips
While time slips, as described by Moberley and Jourdain, remain a subject of controversy and skepticism, the concept has piqued the interest of scientists and researchers. Some speculate that time slips could be related to quantum mechanics or theories of parallel universes. However, the scientific community has yet to provide any definitive evidence supporting the existence of time slips.
Visiting Versailles Today
For those who visit the Palace of Versailles and the Petit Trianon today, the story of Moberley and Jourdain’s time slip adds an element of intrigue to an already fascinating historical site. While it is unlikely that visitors will encounter Marie-Antoinette sitting on a low seat and sketching trees, the tale adds a layer of mystique to the beautiful gardens and opulent chateau, inviting visitors to ponder the mysteries of time and history.
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