Versailles New Year's ball to take place

POST-INTELLIGENCER NEWS SERVICES

With all the focus on ushering in the 21st century, travelers to France can celebrate a New Year's Eve this year that takes them to the 18th century instead.

 The event is called Le Bal du Roi -- The King's Ball -- and will take place in the palace at Versailles in what the organizers say is the first New Year's Eve party there since the French Revolution.

 There will be 650 guests dining in the Galerie des Batailles on a meal inspired by Louis XV's table, to be prepared by Gerard Vie, of Les Trois Marches restaurant in Versailles, which has two Michelin stars.

 After dinner, guests will stroll through the private quarters of the king and queen. And as the king and queen did at midnight of Jan. 1, from the Hall of Mirrors they will view fireworks over the gardens. Then they will repair to the King's Chapel for a baroque music concert.

 Throughout the festivities, costumed dancers will demonstrate the latest moves of the 1780s (contemporary guests will wear black tie).

 The cost of the ball, which will run from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., is $1,300. The event is being organized by Olivier Fresnay, a French businessman, and part of the proceeds will go toward restoring art and furnitureat the palace. Information is available at 212-355-0400 or e-mail to:lebalduroy@aol.com

 For those who would like an approach to both the 21st and 18th centuries, there are plans to hold a bigger ball there on Dec. 31, 1999.