Introduction: A Royal Guest in Segovia

Picture this: Marie Antoinette steps through the door of your student apartment in Segovia. She pauses. Her eyes scan the smart TV, the coffee machine, the minimalist IKEA furniture, the Wi-Fi router blinking steadily in the corner. “Qu’est-ce que c’est?” she might ask, utterly baffled — and maybe just a little impressed.

Gone are the days of powdered wigs and silk corsets. Today’s luxury, especially for international students, comes in the form of memory foam mattresses, high-speed internet, and a kitchen you can actually cook in. If the former queen of France spent a day in your modern flat, she’d probably have a lot of questions — and a few compliments.

Let’s be honest: while you might not have gold-plated doorknobs or servants at your beck and call, your student housing in Segovia is far from humble. In fact, it might be a kind of 21st-century royalty in its own right. So, how does your modern setup stack up to the palace life of one of history’s most famously pampered figures?

Let’s find out.

1. Royal Beds vs. Memory Foam Mattresses

Marie Antoinette slept in a four-poster bed surrounded by embroidered silk, gold leaf details, and hand-carved wood. It was fit for a queen — because, well, she was one. But let’s talk honestly: would she trade that antique masterpiece for your memory foam mattress? Maybe.

Today’s student flats in Segovia offer more than just a place to sleep. Many come with comfortable, orthopedic-quality beds that students never expected to appreciate so much until mid-exam season. No creaking wooden frames. No drafty rooms. And definitely no 17th-century chambermaids walking in unannounced.

And while Marie had to summon servants for her bedtime routine, your setup probably includes blackout curtains, a portable fan (Segovia’s summers are no joke), and your phone charger within arm’s reach. The queen had luxury. You have practicality — and, let’s be honest, a better night’s sleep.

2. Palace Kitchens vs. Air Fryers and Pasta Mastery

Marie Antoinette never cooked a meal in her life. Her kitchen was the size of a football field, staffed with expert chefs, pastry masters, and people whose entire job was just to carry sugar sculptures. If she wanted a croissant, she snapped her fingers (though ironically, she probably never said “Let them eat cake”).

Now enter the modern student kitchen in Segovia. No staff. No marble-topped prep tables. But what you do have is impressive in its own way: a stovetop that actually works, an air fryer you got on sale, and maybe even a moka pot for those early morning caffeine fixes. It’s not Versailles, but it gets the job done.

And let’s be honest — Marie would be fascinated by your ability to throw together pasta with five ingredients, under ten euros, and still have enough left over to eat for two days. She might raise an eyebrow at your avocado toast, but once she tried it, she’d probably order it again.

3. Private Courtyards vs. Shared Living Spaces

Marie Antoinette had the Petit Trianon — her own private retreat with manicured gardens, fountains, and enough space to host a string quartet at every corner. It was calm, exclusive, and completely hers. Your shared student flat? Well… slightly less Versailles, slightly more IKEA.

But there’s a hidden charm in shared living. Instead of garden maids and royal guards, you have roommates who steal your oat milk and binge-watch the same series you do. Instead of trimmed hedges, maybe a balcony with plastic chairs and a view of Segovia’s rooftops — and honestly, that’s a vibe.

Shared kitchens, communal dinners, spontaneous plans, and late-night chats over tea (or something stronger) are part of the experience. Would Marie have enjoyed a night of microwave popcorn and bad movies with friends? We like to think so.

4. Royal Dressers vs. Laundry Day Reality

Marie Antoinette never folded a single sock. Her outfits involved corsets, lace, wigs, and multiple assistants just to get dressed. Her wardrobe was the talk of Europe — and someone else always did the laundry.

You? You’ve got one laundry basket, three drying racks (if you’re lucky), and a mental calendar that decides if today’s socks are clean enough for a second wear. Your closet may be filled with hoodies instead of hoop skirts, but at least you don’t need an entourage to put on jeans.

And while she had powdered wigs and silk gloves, you’ve mastered the art of smart layering for Segovia’s wildly unpredictable spring weather. The washing machine might be a floor away or shared with three other people, but the sense of accomplishment after a full load of laundry? Fit for a modern monarch.

5. Gold Leaf Decor vs. LED Fairy Lights

Marie Antoinette’s aesthetic was opulence. Her walls were covered in gold trim, velvet tapestries, and oil paintings the size of your kitchen. Every corner whispered wealth. Every mirror was larger than life.

What your room lacks in chandeliers it makes up for in personality. From succulents on the window sill to posters that survived the journey in your carry-on, your space is a collage of your life. Marie had designers. You’ve got Blu Tack and a Pinterest board.

And between us? Your place probably has better lighting for selfies.

6. Personal Servants vs. Maintenance WhatsApp Groups

If Marie Antoinette wanted something fixed, she rang a bell and a team of servants appeared. Leaky ceiling? Someone handled it. Cold room? A servant lit the fire (even if it took four hours and a cartload of logs). Her royal comfort was constant — and completely invisible.

You, on the other hand, report a dripping tap by texting. It might take a few hours, but it gets done.

Still, there’s something satisfying about solving things yourself — or collectively complaining about them until someone takes charge. And while Marie had a footman for every chore, you’ve got YouTube tutorials, duct tape, and the quiet pride of surviving a minor plumbing emergency.

She had staff. You have problem-solving skills and free Wi-Fi. We call that character-building.

7. Royal Banquets vs. €1.50 Croissants and Coffee

Marie Antoinette dined with silver cutlery, porcelain dishes, and a 10-course menu prepared by royal chefs. Her breakfasts were elegant affairs — pastries, fruits, chocolates — all served on lace-covered tables with harp music in the background.

Your version? A warm croissant from the café on the corner and a coffee that actually keeps you awake in class. No orchestra, but maybe the hum of your flatmate’s kettle and a 9:00 a.m. lecture countdown.

Still, that €1.50 breakfast enjoyed under the sun in Plaza Mayor, with Segovia’s cathedral in view, might just beat any gold-plated setting. Your meals may be simpler, but they come with freedom, conversation, and the joy of choosing exactly what you want — even if that’s just cereal at 2:00 a.m.

And let’s be honest, Marie would’ve ditched the royal formality for a good tortilla de patatas any day.

8. Palace Rules vs. Total Student Freedom

Marie Antoinette’s life looked glamorous, but it was full of rules. She couldn’t leave the palace without permission, her daily routine was controlled by court protocol, and her every move was watched. Even breakfast had an audience. Freedom? Not so much.

Now imagine explaining to her that your biggest restriction is deciding whether to study or take a spontaneous trip to Madrid. No dress code, no curtsy lessons, no royal schedule. You live where you choose, eat what you want, and decorate your space with posters, fairy lights, or absolutely nothing at all.

Yes, you still have to do laundry and answer the occasional email from your landlord — but your time is yours. You’re building a life, making choices, and writing your own story (hopefully with fewer guillotines involved).

If Marie could trade Versailles for your Segovian apartment and a taste of 21st-century independence… we think she might say: “Je prends!”

Long Live the Student Life

So, what would Marie Antoinette think of your student flat in Segovia?

Sure, it’s missing gold-trimmed ceilings and a personal staff of 200 — but it comes with Wi-Fi, sunlight, independence, and freedom she could only dream of. You don’t need a crown to live well. Just a good coffee, a comfy bed, and a few great memories made in a beautiful city.

Luxury isn’t about marble bathtubs or golden chandeliers. It’s being young, living abroad, and having your own place (with working plumbing). And that’s something worth celebrating — maybe with cake.