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Let’s have tea with Marie Antoinette, shall we?

But first a little history . . .

Tea was first imported and drank in France in the 17th century, and mainly used for medicinal reasons, but tea soon also became popular to drink while entertaining in the morning and afternoon among aristocratic ladies. Some say the French are credited with being the first to add milk to tea.

To order tea in French, you can say "Je voudrais du thé, s'il vous plaît" which means "I would like some tea, please".

To ask for milk and sugar with your tea in French, you can say "Je voudrais du thé avec du lait et du sucre, s'il vous plaît" which means "I would like tea with milk and sugar, please”.

I have often wondered what it would be like to have tea with Marie Antoinette. Join me while we let our imaginations run wildly back through history. It may go something like this . . .

When we arrive, I think we will see a crowded and noisy street, full of people. Maybe a fair with vendors selling their wares.

After spotting a nearby carriage, we hand our invitation to the driver, we board, and the carriage immediately starts to move. Out of the windows, we see the city passing by, with its elegant buildings and beautiful gardens.

After a while, the carriage stops in front of a magnificent palace. It is Versailles, the residence of the king and queen of France. It is even more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. We are helped by the footman to leave our carriage and we follow the crowd of nobles and courtiers who are entering the palace.

It’s like stepping into a fairy tale. The palace was full of splendor and luxury, with sparkling chandeliers, golden statues, and paintings on every wall. The people are dressed in extravagant costumes, with powdered wigs, silk gowns, and jewels.

Queen Marie Antoinette’s private chambers, Versailles Palace, current day

We look around for the one person we came to meet: Marie Antoinette, the queen of France.

Invitation in hand, we follow a group of ladies who were heading to the queen's apartments. They knocked on a door and entered. We follow them inside. The room is cozy and elegant, with floral wallpaper, velvet curtains, and a fireplace. There are books, musical instruments, and paintings everywhere. And there she is: Marie Antoinette.

She is sitting on a sofa, surrounded by her friends. She looks stunning, with her blonde hair piled high on her head, adorned with feathers and flowers. She is wearing a pink dress with lace and ribbons, and a necklace of pearls. She smiles warmly at her guests.

“Please help yourself to tea.” She gestures to a table set up on one side of the room. It is lavishly set with the most stunning china. The trays and stands are filled with delectable pastries, fruits and cheese. Delicate white porcelain teacups, with Marie Antoinette’s monogram, sit in their saucers on ornate silver trays, ready to receive tea poured from shining silver teapots. The tea is aromatic and delicious.

The Queen asks, “Do you like the tea? It’s named for me, you know.” She added, “It’s a secret recipe blended with only the finest black teas, and rose petal and apples from our gardens, here in Versailles.”

Current Day:

I hope you enjoyed our little fantasy trip back in to the time when Marie Antoinette would have enjoyed the fruits of Pierre Diaz’s labor:

Nina’s Marie Antoinette Tea

We are honored to be one the few tea shops that carry Nina’s Tea products in the US, including Marie Antoinette in the original tin that carries her name.