In 1901, two English women, Charlotte Anne Moberly and Eleanor Jourdain, visited the Palace of Versailles in France, embarking on what would later be described as one of the most bizarre paranormal claims in history. The duo, both highly educated women working in academia, claimed to have experienced a “timeslip” that transported them back to the late 18th century, during the reign of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Their strange adventure, later published in a book titled An Adventure under pseudonyms, sparked debate and skepticism. But was their experience a genuine case of time travel or simply a misinterpretation of everyday events?
The Alleged Time Travel Incident
Moberly and Jourdain visited the Petit Trianon, a small château in the gardens of Versailles, which was famously associated with Marie Antoinette. Their visit seemed ordinary at first, but soon, the atmosphere reportedly changed. The women began noticing strange occurrences that were out of place. For instance, they encountered figures dressed in what they described as 18th-century clothing. Jourdain noticed an old cottage and figures that appeared “unnatural,” like wax models, while Moberly claimed to have seen a woman in a white dress sketching on the grass, whom she later believed to be Marie Antoinette herself.
As they continued, the two women experienced an overwhelming sense of dread and oppression. They asked for directions from two men in unfamiliar uniforms—whom they described differently over time—and encountered a sinister man with a pockmarked face whom they found deeply unsettling. The strange events came to an end when they entered the Petit Trianon, where the environment returned to normal, and they rejoined other visitors.
Where Did They Go?
The critical aspect of the Moberly–Jourdain incident is the claim that they somehow slipped back into the 18th century, the time when Marie Antoinette resided at Versailles. They believed that what they saw were not modern-day reenactors but people from the past. They specifically tied their experience to the events of August 10, 1792, during the French Revolution, a period of turmoil in which the monarchy was overthrown.
Later research by the women seemed to suggest that landmarks they observed on their journey, like a bridge they crossed, existed on historical maps of the gardens but had since disappeared in modern times. The presence of figures they later identified as the Comte de Vaudreuil, a close friend of Marie Antoinette, added to their conviction that they had somehow witnessed a past era.
Was There Any Evidence?
Moberly and Jourdain did not report their experience immediately, waiting until they were back in England before discussing it further. They spent months researching the history of Versailles, and after becoming convinced of the paranormal nature of their encounter, they published their account in 1911. While the book caused a sensation, many critics and historians questioned their claims, pointing to inconsistencies and the ever-changing details in their story.
Skeptics have suggested that the two women, unfamiliar with French customs and possibly influenced by the romantic and eerie atmosphere of Versailles, may have encountered nothing more than an elaborate costume party. French aristocrat Robert de Montesquiou was known for hosting lavish parties near the palace, where guests dressed in period attire, possibly explaining the strange figures Moberly and Jourdain encountered. This rational explanation holds that the women may have confused a mundane event for something more supernatural.
Are the Claims Real?
Despite their firm belief in the paranormal explanation, many scholars have offered psychological and historical explanations. The concept of “retrocognition,” the ability to perceive events from the past, has been suggested as a potential explanation, though it remains highly controversial in scientific circles. Others believe the incident was a shared delusion, or what is known as “folie à deux,” where two people influence each other’s perceptions, leading to shared false memories.
One of the more mundane explanations posits that the two women simply misinterpreted an event, such as a historical reenactment or costume party, and combined it with the eerie atmosphere of Versailles to create their story. Even though they stood by their account until their deaths, the lack of solid evidence beyond their testimony has made the Moberly–Jourdain incident one of the most famous yet questionable cases in paranormal history.
Conclusion
The Moberly–Jourdain incident is a fascinating tale of alleged time travel that has intrigued both believers in the paranormal and skeptics for over a century. Whether it was a genuine time slip, a case of mistaken identity, or a psychological phenomenon, the story of two women who believed they saw the past still captures the imagination. Despite extensive research and criticism, the mystery remains unresolved, with no definitive proof either way.
FAQs
Where did Moberly and Jourdain go during their alleged time travel?
- Moberly and Jourdain claimed they slipped back in time to the late 18th century while visiting the Petit Trianon in Versailles, where they believed they witnessed figures from Marie Antoinette’s era.
Were there any witnesses to the incident?
- No other witnesses came forward to corroborate their account. The experience was reported only by Moberly and Jourdain themselves, though they later claimed to have seen historical figures like the Comte de Vaudreuil and possibly Marie Antoinette.
Is the Moberly–Jourdain time travel claim real?
- The incident has been widely debated, with many historians and skeptics dismissing it as a misinterpretation of ordinary events. Some believe the women may have stumbled upon a costume party or experienced psychological phenomena like retrocognition or a shared delusion.
