Menus · Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle When bitmap foiling brings the splendour of the past back to life
The opening of Le Grand Contrôle in June 2021 by Airelles transported our workshops into the world of 17th and 18th century Versailles. Responsible for the graphic design of the branding elements associated with Alain Ducasse's restaurant, soins graphiques entrusted us, as part of a renewed collaboration, with the production of menus steeped in history.
To reveal all the magic of the place and the gastronomic experiences it offers, bitmap foiling with golden highlights adorns the menus printed in our workshops. Reproductions of works of art and architectural motifs emblematic of the Château de Versailles are thus revisited through the prism of this cutting-edge process, reflecting the festive atmosphere of the splendours of yesteryear. With them, ‘the past comes back to life with splendour’, truly.
The former residence of the Comptroller General of Finances, which now houses Le Grand Contrôle, was commissioned by Louis XIV and designed in 1681 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the visionary architect who also designed the Hall of Mirrors, the Grand Trianon and the Royal Chapel of the Château. Before reopening its doors under the new name, it underwent meticulous restoration. Every detail of the interior architecture was designed by Christophe Tollemer to recreate the unique atmosphere of both the Grand Siècle and the Enlightenment, from the textiles and wallpapers by Maison Pierre Frey to the acquisition of original furniture from across Europe.
An ode to French History and Art de vivre, the hotel remains the only one located within the Versailles estate, offering exclusive access to the Château and Gardens of Versailles. In keeping with this spirit, Alain Ducasse has imagined a tribute to the culinary traditions of the Grand Siècle and to this unique location for the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Grand Contrôle. The menu is inspired by the Sun King's favourite dishes, served by staff in period costume in a setting where everything is staged to promise a voluptuous immersion in the greatest respect for the traditions of the time, recalling the follies of royal grandeur.
Behind the scene
The Workshops
"To reveal all the magic of the Grand Contrôle and the gastronomic experiences its restaurant offers, bitmap foiling with golden highlights adorns the menus printed in our workshops. [...] With them, ‘the past comes back to life with splendour’, truly."
