Alice Hennetier

Please tell us about your research project.

I am doing a PhD in French literature at Sorbonne Lettres Université, under the supervision of Pr. Emmanuel Bury. I am re-editing a festival book, Les Divertissemens de Versailles; it recounts the entertainments given by Louis XIV at Versailles in 1674 to celebrate the King’s recent victory in Franche-Comté, when the war between France and the other European powers (Spain, the United Provinces and England) was in full swing. The account of these prestigious festivities was written by André Félibien, the King’s historiographer, and published the same year. I study the ideological, political, literary and historical implications of this text. I use the 1676 reprint, which is a prestigious folio illustrated with engravings: it is a large-format book that makes it possible to freeze the festival in a monument of paper. This edition was printed in a limited number of copies, offered as princely gifts throughout Europe.

Could you please tell us a bit more about your scholarship/exchange programme ?

I am honoured to be a January 2025 fellow of the Maison Française d’Oxford, which I thank once again for giving me the opportunity to study one of the copies of this edition, kept at the Weston Library, and to take advantage of the unique working environment that Oxford offers.

First impressions of Oxford/the University ?

The programme gave me the opportunity to discover Oxford and its resources: I was delighted to be able to work in such an old architectural complex with so many libraries. The working environment is unique and allows you to quickly get into a rhythm of research and stimulating discussion, both with the MFO staff and the other residents. My time at the Maison Française has also enabled me to make contact with specialists in the various colleges, who have provided me with key elements for my research, for which I am very grateful. My days spent at the Bodleian Library, punctuated by my study of the Weston print and my research at the Duke Humphrey’s, enabled me to approach my thesis from a new angle and to produce an effective piece of work.