If I think about some of the women that have defined Parisian and French history, I instantly think of Marie Antoinette. The long maligned figure of French royalty and one of many unfortunate symbols of the French Revolution, the former queen has rarely been painted in a positive light. But what if that is an incomplete story? What if new scholarship points to a more nuanced picture of Marie Antoinette and the empresses that followed in her footsteps? That’s part of what today’s guest uncovered in her new book "Marie Antoinette’s Legacy: The Politics of French Garden Patronage and Picturesque Design". Dr. Susan Taylor Leduc, an art historian, previous guest, fellow guide who runs Picturesque Voyages, joins me today to talk about the world’s obsession with Marie Antoinette, her role within the royal court, what pop culture has gotten wrong about her, and the parallels with depictions of Parisian women today.

Mentioned in this episode:

Susan Taylor Leduc and Picturesque Voyages
Susan's book "Marie Antoinette's Legacy"
Episode 83, a previous conversation with Susan Taylor Leduc
Sofia Coppola's film "Marie Antoinette"
The BBC series Marie Antoinette reviewed by The Guardian

Thanks to Matthew Jordan for technical production and editing on this episode!

109: On Marie Antoinette's Enduring Legacy with Dr. Susan Taylor Leduc