Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford Missing Fish and Fatal Feasts: Ritual and Ruin at the Sun King’s Table
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Oct 3, 2025 Step into the extravagant court of Louis XIV, where manners dictate life and death. François Vatel, the ultimate party planner, faces a monumental task: hosting a banquet for the king. As the scales of etiquette tip precariously, Vatel must navigate political intrigue and looming failure. With unexpected shortages and a failing spectacle, the pressure mounts. The tragic tale unfolds as one misstep leads to heartbreaking consequences, illustrating how the pursuit of favor can lead to ruin.
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Vatel's Life-or-Death Banquet
- François Vatel organised a three-day hunt-and-feast at Chantilly to impress King Louis XIV and secure his master's favour.
- He planned every detail and felt the party's success was a matter of life and death for his reputation.
Vatel's Rise At Vaux Palace
- Vatel had earlier supervised Fouquet's palace at Vaux, organising lavish decor and practical innovations like extra kitchen staircases.
- His competence elevated him but also tied him to Fouquet's eventual political downfall.
Fouquet's Showy Party Backfires
- Fouquet staged an extravagant fête at Vaux to regain Louis's favour and entrusted Vatel to run it.
- The event dazzled the court but later became evidence used to convict Fouquet of corruption.
