The gardens of Versailles were amazing. The formality of the gardens were, one way by which Louis XIV displayed his supremacy as a leader. The gardens were sculpted in such a way that they would show, to outside observers, that he had the power to command even nature. Designed by landscape architect Andre Le Notre, the gardens were geometric in form and were intended to suggest that reason and order trumps all, for Enlightenment thought and the Age of Reason were in their ascendancy. Trees were imported and rivers were diverted to create this show at the king's command. Six hundred fountains and countless statues punctuate the 250 acres that the gardens entail. This photo is of the
L'Orangerie, an unheard of orange grove created in northern France.
This is a photo of the Latona Fountain and Parterre. Beyond this is the Grand Canal. While the gardens were under construction, there were many complaints from French courtiers, and especially foreign courtiers, because they failed to see Louis XIV's vision. They had to put up with fetid water and muddy grounds. The whole enterprise was unimpressive and ridiculous in their view, but it turned out beautifully in the end.
The largest fountain on the grounds, the Bassin de Neptune. Another homage that Louis XIV paid to himself. We're glad he did. Unfortunately it costs a fortune to run the fountains all the time, so they're only functioning on the weekends and at certain times.
The green preceeding the mile-long Grand Canal. This photo is taken with the Palace in the distance. This gives a sense of the scale on which the gardens were constructed.
The gardens of Versailles were amazing. The formality of the gardens were, one way by which Louis XIV displayed his supremacy as a leader. The gardens were sculpted in such a way that they would show, to outside observers, that he had the power to command even nature. Designed by landscape architect Andre Le Notre, the gardens were geometric in form and were intended to suggest that reason and order trumps all, for Enlightenment thought and the Age of Reason were in their ascendancy. Trees were imported and rivers were diverted to create this show at the king's command. Six hundred fountains and countless statues punctuate the 250 acres that the gardens entail. This photo is of the L'Orangerie, an unheard of orange grove created in northern France.
This is a photo of the Latona Fountain and Parterre. Beyond this is the Grand Canal. While the gardens were under construction, there were many complaints from French courtiers, and especially foreign courtiers, because they failed to see Louis XIV's vision. They had to put up with fetid water and muddy grounds. The whole enterprise was unimpressive and ridiculous in their view, but it turned out beautifully in the end.
The largest fountain on the grounds, the Bassin de Neptune. Another homage that Louis XIV paid to himself. We're glad he did. Unfortunately it costs a fortune to run the fountains all the time, so they're only functioning on the weekends and at certain times.
The green preceeding the mile-long Grand Canal. This photo is taken with the Palace in the distance. This gives a sense of the scale on which the gardens were constructed.
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