Celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China, this new exhibition retraces the history of  the artistic and cultural exchanges between the two countries, with over 150 rare exhibits (porcelain, paintings, furniture…) that show the refinement that provoked a fad for all things Chinese.

Here’s all the info.

Diplomatic relations between France and China may have been sealed in the 1960s, but Louis XIV was already receiving the ambassadors of the King of Siam back in 1686! Back then only the Chinese knew how to make fine porcelain, and Chinese wallpaper and fabrics were much sought after.

The French started imitating Chinese workmanship and styles as best they could, and Versailles started to fill up with Chinese-inspired and -sourced objects.
Thanks to exhibits lent by prestigious establishments such as the Louvre, the Musée Guimet, the collections of the English royalty and the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, the exhibition shows how Versailles and France in general came to love Chinese art, and how hte style was adapted with an western touch.
The exhibition China at Versailles (La Chine à Versailles) is at the Château de Versailles (here) from 27th May – 26th October 2014

Open every days except Mondays from 9am – 6.30pm. Last ticket at 5.50pm

Admission: depends on the day and exactly what you want to see. Details here

Site officiel : www.chateauversailles.fr

Facebook: facebook.com/chateauversailles

Twitter: twitter.com/CVersailles

YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/chateauversailles

French-speakers can persue the press release below. Click the fullscreen button under the image or simply click here.