First created 28 Oct 2012. Version 1.0 - 6 Nov 2012. Jerry Tse. London.

Versailles

All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal use.

The Garden

Plan

Neptune Fountain.

Dragon Fountain.

Latona Fountain.

Apollo Fountain.

Orangery

South Parterre

North Parterre

Water Parterre

Swiss Lake

The Palace

Grand Canal

Groves & Gardens

Water Avenue

Royal Avenue

Orangery

The garden was replanted recently with exotic trees to bring back its original appearance.

The view of the Orangery before replanting. Beyond is the Swiss Lake.

South Parterre

Water Parterre

Two large ponds near the palace.

Water Parterre A water deity.

Water Parterre One of the two large ponds on the Parterre.

Water Parterre

LatonaApollo

Royal Avenue

Water Parterre

Groves & GardenGroves & Garden

Grand Canal

Looking East from the palace

Latona Fountain

Latona (Leto in Greek) is a goddess in Greek mythology. Jupiter (Zeus in Greek) is the father of her twins, Apollo (Sun god) and Artemis (Goddess of Love).

Latona Fountain

Latona Fountain

Latona Fountain

Latona had to run away from Juno (wife of Jupiter) with her children. She came across some Lycean peasants who refused to give her any water and stirred up the mud in the well. In her anger she turned these peasants into frogs, alligators and turtles.

Latona Fountain

Latona with her son Apollo by her side.

Latona Fountain

Laocoon

Laocoon

This is a copy of the ancient Greek sculpture, the Laocoon.

Royal Avenue

Many sculptures in the garden were modelled after Ancient Greek statues. This is a classic pose for Venus.

Cyparissus was beloved by Apollo. He accidentally killed his tamed deer. In grief, he turned himself into a cypress tree.

Royal Avenue

Royal Avenue

The allegorical figure of Night.

The Melancholic, 1680 The Air,1685 Ganymede,1682

Royal Avenue

Apollo Fountain

A Triton announcing the arrival of Apollo.

Apollo Fountain

The Apollo Fountain is the centrepiece of the garden. It is a personification of the Sun King (Louis XIV).

Apollo Fountain

Apollo Fountain

The Apollo driving his chariot across the sky, as he emerges from the sea.

Apollo Fountain

Apollo Fountain

Grand Canal

The Grand Canal was created for water games and pleasure, as well as to provide water for the area.

North Parterre

The Siren and Tritons Fountain.

North Parterre

Water Avenue

The Water Avenue on the north side of the palace, with its three fountains.

Pyramid Fountain

The first of three fountains on the Water Avenue.

Pyramid Fountain

Dragon Fountain

In Greek mythology, Apollo killed the earth-dragon of Delphi. The main water jet rises 27m into the air.

Dragon Fountain

Dragon Fountain

Dragon Fountain

Neptune Fountain

At the end of the Water Avenue is the largest fountain of the garden, The Neptune Fountain.

Neptune Fountain

Dragon Fountain

Groves & Gardens

Colonnade Grove

The Abduction of Proserpine by Francois Girardon, 1675-95.

Bacchus Avenue

Saturn Avenue

Ceres Fountain

Ballroom Grove

Bath of Apollo

Bath of Apollo

Sun

Stee

ds

Sun Steeds, 1668-75 by Balthazar

Garden Island

Gar

den

Dia

na

All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal use.

The End

Music – The Water Music – Alla Hornpipe by George Frederic Handel.

The Royal Avenue and Palace‘s Garden Façade