Vatel Quotes

  • Louis XIV: You look pale, Prince. Are you ill?

    Prince de Condé: Your Majesty is gracious to enquire.

    Louis XIV: Yes.

  • Gourville: [of Anne de Montausier] She's new at court, she's still got a heart.

  • Gourville: [Condé is gambling with the King] Is the Prince losing his chateau?

    Marquis de Lauzun: Not if he plays his cards wrong.

  • Louis XIV: Peace with the Dutch is good for nothing, except tulips.

  • Marquis de Lauzun: The king sends you his compliments. And he begs the favor of taking a cup of chocolate with you in your room at midnight.

    Anne de Montausier: With me?

    Marquis de Lauzun: [into her ear] May I offer you my congratulations. Although, as you can imagine, that came as a great blow to me. After tonight I cannot hope for deliverance from the pain of my own desires. So, may I suggest my rooms at ten?

    Anne de Montausier: Alas, monsieur, ten o'clock I have an even more attractive offer. Her Majesty has asked me to delouse her spaniel.

  • François Vatel: Harmony and contrast. All beauty comes from these two things. You see, Colin, few object are beautiful or ugly of themselves. To know that is the beginning of being an artist.

  • Cook: What kind of meat is this?

    Demaury: [sampling it] Unicorn.

  • Gourville: My dear Vatel, we all go around like some great celestial machine. The Sun King is at the centre; Condé is one of his planets; I am one of Condé's moons. Do you really think there is a place to stand where we are free?