The salon and its small adjoining rooms were not only for celebrations. Several times, the Goethe’s had to make these rooms available to strangers, for example to the French occupying forces during the Seven Years’ War. At the time, Goethe’s father had to hand over his newly furnished bel étage for three years to the Lieutenant General (“Lieutenant du roi”) Thoranc. To avoid further unwelcome quartering obligations, the first floor was let for a time.