7 Fascinating Fun Facts About Catherine de Medici: Discover the Intriguing Parisian Queen's Secrets

1. The Ballet Queen

Who needs The Nutcracker when you've got a Medici in the house? The Queen of Dance, Catherine de Medici, twirled her way into the hearts of the French court with her fancy footwork: Responsible for commissioning the Ballet Comique de la Reine, considered the first true ballet, this dancing queen of the Renaissance helped shape the future of the art form, even though the first ballet school in France was established by Louis XIV more than a century later.
Source => journal.chestnet.org

2. Perfumed Glove Pioneer

Before Chanel No. 5 and Febreze graced our lives, there was Catherine de' Medici: Queen of France, fashion icon, and personal fixer of putrid problems. She stormed France, armed with the olfactory equivalent of knights in shining armor - perfumed gloves: Known for her political savvy and sense of style, Catherine de' Medici introduced scented gloves to France in the 16th century, having been popular in her native Florence. Her perfumer, Renato Bianco, would dip the gloves in fragrance and animal fat before drying them outdoors, creating a pleasant sensory experience that masked both the odors of the French court and the gloves themselves. This trend gained momentum across Europe and is still commemorated today by luxury brands like Guerlain.
Source => costumesociety.org.uk

Did you know the ultimate queen of equestrian glamour was the fierce Catherine the Great? Discover her fashionable Life Guard uniform in a famous 1771 painting now housed in the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen! 🎨👑🐎

=> Fun Facts about Catherine-The-Great

3. Culinary Trendsetter

Queen Cath the Kitchen Whiz: she who transformed French cuisine by opening the Tuscan vaults for some serious culinary infusion! With a wave of her culinary wand, she popularized Italian delights in France like the magical Béchamel sauce, soul-warming onion soup, and the zesty Canard à l'orange. Although sometimes mistaken as the fairy godmother of artichokes, celery, and forks, we do owe our tasty Macarons and Profiteroles to her influence on French cuisine.
Source => firenzemadeintuscany.com

4. Party-Fiesta Extraordinaire

In a Renaissance rendition of MTV Cribs, Catherine de' Medici knew how to throw the most epic parties in 16th-century France: She organized grand court festivals, known as magnificences, that showcased her creative talents and displayed the Valois monarchy's prestige through mythological themes, elaborate entertainment, and employing top artists and architects of the era.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. High Heels Debut

Before Carrie Bradshaw strutted her stuff in Manolo Blahniks, Catherine de' Medici had an original fashionista moment of her own: it is said that she introduced high-heeled shoes to France in an attempt to appear taller and outshine her husband's mistress, Diane de Poitiers, although the legitimacy of this legendary tale remains up for debate.
Source => anothermag.com

6. The 14-Year-Old Queen

Married life can be tough, but imagine being a 14-year-old bride with a one-way ticket to "Windsor Knot-Town": Catherine de' Medici was a victim of child trafficking when she was married off at a tender age, eventually becoming the Queen of France and the subject of Starz drama The Serpent Queen, tackling her often misunderstood legacy through the eyes of Samantha Morton's portrayal.
Source => editorial.rottentomatoes.com

7. Sidesaddle Innovator

Hold your horses, ladies! We're going sidesaddle: Catherine de Medici, ever the equestrian innovator, devised a side saddle design featuring a single pommel to hook her royal leg over, providing more control and stability. Fun fact: French women were already sitting pretty in this riding style back in the 1500s, long before Catherine sashayed into the royal scene in 1547.
Source => whickr.com