Did Marie Antoinette really say, "Let them eat cake," or is it a common misconception?

miffy42

Louis XVI's coronation took place at Reims during the height of a bread shortage in Paris. This is the context in which Marie Antoinette is incorrectly quoted as joking, "If they have no bread, then let them eat cake!" ("Qu'ils mangent de la brioche.") There is no evidence that this phrase was ever uttered by Marie Antoinette. When Marie Antoinette actually heard about the bread shortage she wrote, "It is quite certain that in seeing the people who treat us so well despite their own misfortune, we are more obliged than ever to work hard for their happiness. The king seems to understand this truth; as for myself, I know that in my whole life (even if I live for a hundred years) I shall never forget the day of the coronation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Antoinette Oct 26 06, 12:49 PM

Baloo55th

I've heard it attributed, probably more accurately, to an earlier French queen. Possibly Louis XIV's, but I'm not sure. I've also heard the French term used as being brioche. Oct 26 06, 1:29 PM

TabbyTom

It seems to be a story that was already doing the rounds long before Marie-Antoinette was crowned. The Cassell Companion to Quotations says that Rousseau, writing in the 1760s and referring to an incident in Grenoble in 1740 or thereabouts, writes “I recollected the thoughtless saying of a great princess who, on being informed that the country people had no bread, replied ‘Let them eat cake!’”. The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations supports Baloo. It quotes from Louis XVIII’s “Relation d’un Voyage à Bruxelles et à Coblenz,” in which the saying “Que ne mangent-ils de la croûte de pâté?” (Why don’t they eat pastry) is attributed to Marie-Thérèse, wife of Louis XIV. Cassell’s work also mentions that “similar remarks are said to date back to the thirteenth century,” but gives no further details or references. I’m inclined to conclude that it was certainly not said by Marie-Antoinette. Whether it was ever said by anyone in earnest is, in my opinion, doubtful. It sounds like the invention of a satirist, but of course like all the best satire it can be re-applied to new targets for centuries to come. Oct 26 06, 4:27 PM

TheuntouchablE

It was used in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." Oct 28 06, 9:32 AM

TabbyTom

I think the Twelfth Night quotation is "Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?" (Sir Toby Belch to Malvolio, Act 2 Sc 3). This seems to be a gibe at the puritan who wants to stop others from enjoying themselves, rather than the aristocrat who doesn't know how the other half lives. Also See: Question #96979 http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question96979.html Oct 28 06, 5:21 PM

despayre

Well, I am most impressed. Every site I have been to so far have had the common ridiculous replies of when she said it, how, where and why. Here I see every answer is not only well informed, but correct. It would be nice to see this more often. Baloo55th, you are correct, it was also attributed to Louis XIV's Spanish wife Marie Therese; as well as to Louis XVI's aunt, Madame Sophie. Oct 16 08, 2:55 PM

Baloo55th

This is probably the only place (apart from Wikipedia) where accuracy takes precedence over opinion, and where Books of Lists and Urban and other Legends get thoroughly debunked. Stick with us, new friend. Help us with the spreading of real info as opposed to 'everyone says'..... (BTW, Ta.) Oct 17 08, 1:42 PM

GOJUDEGO

Get to the point, NO!!! she did not really say that! Com'on, Oct 27 09, 11:27 PM