Immerse yourself in the Mississippi Valley from November 25, 2025 thanks to the exhibition at the Château de Versailles around the indigenous nations who allied themselves with the French, when the latter settled in Louisiana, at the time of the young Louis XV.
In 2025, the Palace of Versailles immerses himself in the court of many kings of France, notably that of the young Louis XVwhich was partly composed of his “Native American” allies. Of November 25, 2025 to April 26, 2026a news exposition takes us on a journey between two continents, into the little-known universe of indigenous societies of the Mississippi Valley who had to ally themselves with the French when the latter took up residence in Louisiana in the 18th century.
The French must then adapt to Native American standards of diplomacy and come to an economic, military and political agreement with Native nations. To seal this alliance, the East India Company and the young king invited the Oto, Osage, Missouri and Illinois chiefs to come to the court of Versailles, an important episode told at the heart of the exhibition, thanks to works never exhibited.
Maps of Louisiana produced in Paris and America in the 18th century are among these very little-known objects, presented for the first time to the public. Artifacts produced by these Native American nations, the oldest preserved works of the Mississippi valley in the world, will accompany them, thanks to a partnership with the Quai Branly museum. It will also be an opportunity to learn the history of Rameau’s Indes galantes, a masterpiece of French music.
