While the pairing seems unlikely (despite San Francisco being the "Paris of the West"), the Legion of Honor has received the, uh, honor of hosting the Marie-Antoinette exhibit. The show specifically focuses on Petit Trianon—Marie-Antoinette's personal retreat in Versailles—as well as the life and times of the lady herself. Paintings, furniture and anything else not bolted down in her house have been flown over here for display while the "cottage" (ahem) is being renovated.

The Chron wrote a great review on the exhibit and Leah Garchik wrote about the interesting opening night here. Apparently the Guerrilla Girls dressed up as gorillas (which is part of what they do), and protested the need for "more women shown in our museums," not of the Vivienne Westwood or Marie-Antoinette variety. Uhh. Okay.

The Marie-Antoinette display will run through February 17, 2008. -- Dianne de Guzman