Horse-Drawn Coach Museum, Versailles © RMN-Grand Palais (Château de Versailles) / Gérard Blot

Travelling coach of Baron Carayon La Tour, by Clochez, coach builder in Paris. 2nd quarter of the 19th century.

Intended for the Baron's travels between his various properties in the Southwest, this all-weather state coach was designed for long journeys on often poorly maintained roads: a strong chassis, suspension and assemblies coupled with comfort inside the body lined with reps for four passengers and complete with plenty of luggage ("cows", hat boxes, trunks) and a "cellar" under the body to store essential items.