Marie-Antoinette, the woman beyond the myth
Myths about Marie Antoinette abound. In this talk at the Institut français d'Ecosse, Catriona Seth will strip away some of the accumulated legends about to reveal a complex and engaging personality.
About Marie-Antoinette, the woman beyond the myth
Myths about Marie Antoinette abound. She is one of the most famous characters in History, and yet so much we know about her is wrong: she didn’t say "Let them eat cake"; she didn’t bankrupt France with her desire to buy diamonds; she wasn’t the power-hungry and lascivious woman revolutionary caricatures represent.
In this talk, Catriona Seth will strip away some of the accumulated legends about ‘the last Queen of France’ and reveal a complex and engaging personality: someone who was a true but often naïve friend, a devoted Mother, a remarkable musician, a woman with assured taste in interior decoration, a fashion icon and, when the Revolution came, an active figure in the political landscape.
Pr. Catriona Seth is a British scholar of French literature and the history of ideas. Since 2015, she has been Marshal Foch Professor of French Literature at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Just hit 'Like' on our Facebook page, join the What's On Scotland Facebook Group and 'Follow' on our Twitter account and you're all set!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Institut francais d Ecosse
Pride Month short films
The French Institute is celebrating Pride Month with a selection of 3 short films by Lauriane Lagarde, Arthur Thomas Pavlowsy and Drag Race France winner Paloma/Hugo Bardin on 6th June.
READ MORE
World Ocean Day – Workshop for Kids and Teens
Join the Institut français d'Ecosse for a fun and educational workshop to celebrate World Ocean Day on Saturday 7th June!
READ MORE
Bal Baroque
Step back in time and enjoy dances from the time of Louis XIV & Charles II at the Institut français d'Ecosse on Saturday 7th June!
READ MORE
Quiz de l’Institut français d’Ecosse
Come and test your knowledge about France and French language in a fun and relaxed atmosphere at the Institut français d’Ecosse on Thursday 19th June!
READ MORE
Make Music Day: Trio Contrasti concert
Live Music Now Scotland is back at the French Institute to celebrate Make Music Day! This year, introducing Trio Contrasti, a trio led by Armenian violinist Nora Shekyan.
READ MORE
The Future of French en Écosse: The Way Ahead
Following last year’s inaugural Future of French en Écosse conference, this years event will take place at Institut francais d'Ecosse on Monday 23rd June.
READ MORE
The question of the public space in today’s society
Join Professors Sandra Laugier and Richard Rechtman who will be speaking on the shifting notion of public space at the Institut français d'Ecosse on 26th June.
READ MORE
French & Art : Drawing Edinburgh in French
What if you practiced both drawing and your French? Join the Institut francais d'Ecosse for a four day creative lab with French artist and teacher Yannik Ruault.
READ MORE
Antigone: Vive le Fringe! 2025
After a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024, Mythography return with their urgent and haunting production of Jean Anouilh’s Antigone!
READ MORE
Heebie Jeebies: Vive le Fringe! 2025
This visual performance, created for children under 6 and their carers, combines multilingual storytelling (Scottish Gaelic, French, English), puppetry and original live music.
READ MORE
MUO Live: Vive le Fringe! 2025
Join Scottish artist and musician Lomond Campbell for a unique live performance of MUO, an audiovisual experience powered by the universe itself.
READ MORE
MUO immersive exhibit: Vive le Fringe! 2025
MUO is an immersive audiovisual installation by Lomond Campbell which makes use of muon detectors, sensing harmless radiation in the atmosphere.
READ MORE
The Brel Promise: Vive le Fringe! 2025
Arnaud Askoy brings Chanson Francaise icon Jacques Brel to life at the Institut francais d'Ecosse a part of Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
READ MORE
Meet the author Laurent Binet
Meet multi-award-winning French writer Laurent Binet at the Institut francais d'Ecosse on 19th August for a talk on his books!
READ MORE
Jean-Yves Laurichesse: Writing between memory and fiction
Join us for an evening of readings and conversation with Jean-Yves Laurichesse at the Institut francais d'Ecosse on Tuesday 14th October!
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described
Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, as she describes various artwork and objects from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
READ MORE
Palace Page Turners
Many authors have been inspired to pick up their pen to write about the Palace of Holyroodhouse. These sessions will explore these literary works followed by a hearty discussion!
READ MORE
Snapshots: Gallery Short Talks
Join us on Thursdays at The Palace of Holyroodhouse for a short talk on one of the fascinating photographs in our exhibition Royal Portraits: A Century of Photography!
READ MORE
Information Lecture: Help and Healing on the Spiritual Path through the teaching of Bruno Groening
A lecture about spiritual healing and help through the teaching of Bruno Groening is taking place at The Open Door Community Centre, Edinburgh on various dates throughout the year.
READ MORE
Chocolate Love Match - Fort Kinnaird
Ready to meet your Chocolate Love Match? Book now to secure one of the limited number of spaces available for our guided chocolate tasting experiences at Hotel Chocolat, Fort Kinnaird!
READ MORE
Interfaith Learning for All
Dr Ann Conway-Jones and Rabbi Margaret Jacobi for this talk at the City of Edinburgh Methodist Church on Wednesday 4th June!
READ MORE
Pride & Prejudice - Queer Book Fair at The Georgian House
Join us at The Georgian House this Pride Month as we celebrate the opening of Below Stairs Books, our new secondhand bookshop, with a special Queer Book Fair on Friday 6th June!
READ MORE
Threads of Empire: A History of the World in Carpets
Explore the history of the world through its fascinating carpets with historian Dorothy Armstrong at Dovecot Studios on Saturday 7th June!
READ MORE
Ice Cream Breakfast Mornings
Fancy a wee treat? Join Ms Crème De La Cream's breakfast ice cream taster sessions at Stockbridge market.
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links