The pavillon de la Muette is a remarquable hunting lodge, built by architect Ange Jacques Gabriel for king Louis XV on the location of a previous castle built by Francois Ier of France. It has been built at the same time as petit Trianon, with very similar proportions for its south facade and underground kitchens boasting the same features as Tianon's "rechauffon'. Its plan is similar to that of p
avilion du Butard, another hunting lodge built by Gabriel in the region, but with larger proportions. To the north of it, a vast octagon shape was added at the very end of Louis XV reign and completed under Louis XVI. Atop of it, a belvedere terrace was added, in order to follow the hunting parties. Little remains from the earlier castle of Francois Ier : namely one of the caves and an underground corridor in the northwest corner of today's pavilion, under the western terrace. The pavilion contains two large halls and a staircase on the south, and a vast octagonal room in the north, topped with a cupola. The underground kitchens are complete with large chimneys and their original stone pavement. The first floor is currently very damaged, as well as the attics. The pavillon de la Muette has been decaying significantly during the last decades, of abandonment, resulting in the partial collapse of the ceilings of its southern vestibule and very significant damages to its northwest wall and to the cupola. Some decorative elements have disappeared and large mural graphs have been painted on the wooden panels of the octagon room, in the staircase and in the cellars. The french government finally put it for sale in 2014. Restoration of the pavilion will be a tough task for its new private owners, the most pressing priority being the repair of the roof. The pavillon de la Muette is a classified historical monument and its restoration will be handled in accordance with the high standards and strict rules that apply for such constructions.
