Bassin de Neptune (Neptune Fountain), Versailles
One of the most popular of Versailles ponds is the Bassin de Neptune, which is the largest pond in the gardens. It lies at the extreme northern end of the north-south axe that includes the Orangerie, the Parterre d’Eau and the Fountain of the Dragon.
The original pond was constructed by André le Notre in 1681 and was called the “Pool below the Dragon”. It was modified in 1740 by Ange-Jacques Gabriel and the statues of Neptune and his wife Salacia, the minor water-god Proteus and the Titan water-god Oceanus where created by Lemoyne. The Bassin boasts 99 water features in all.
It is surrounded on three sides by gently sloping lawns, which in the summer are filled with spectators as a floating stage is set up on the pond for musical and firework displays to delight the crowds.
From June to the end of August, Versailles hosts the Grandes Eaux Musicales, or Fountain Shows. All the fountains are turned on each weekend and present a superb display set to baroque and classical music.
If you are lucky enough to be in Versailles during July and August, you can enjoy wonderful nocturnal displays of music, water and stunning lighting effects.
The original pond was constructed by André le Notre in 1681 and was called the “Pool below the Dragon”. It was modified in 1740 by Ange-Jacques Gabriel and the statues of Neptune and his wife Salacia, the minor water-god Proteus and the Titan water-god Oceanus where created by Lemoyne. The Bassin boasts 99 water features in all.
It is surrounded on three sides by gently sloping lawns, which in the summer are filled with spectators as a floating stage is set up on the pond for musical and firework displays to delight the crowds.
From June to the end of August, Versailles hosts the Grandes Eaux Musicales, or Fountain Shows. All the fountains are turned on each weekend and present a superb display set to baroque and classical music.
If you are lucky enough to be in Versailles during July and August, you can enjoy wonderful nocturnal displays of music, water and stunning lighting effects.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Versailles. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Bassin de Neptune (Neptune Fountain) on Map
Sight Name: Bassin de Neptune (Neptune Fountain)
Sight Location: Versailles, France (See walking tours in Versailles)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Versailles, France (See walking tours in Versailles)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Versailles, France
Create Your Own Walk in Versailles
Creating your own self-guided walk in Versailles is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Versailles Gardens Walking Tour
Spread across a vast (800-hectare) area, the Versailles Gardens are the quintessential example of regal grandeur and meticulous French landscape design. Most of its feature areas – known as 'groves' – were created by King Louis XIV’s chief landscape architect André Le Nôtre. Key among the garden's numerous attractions is the Orangerie Fountain, which sets the tone for its... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Versailles Introduction Walking Tour
Versailles, a wealthy suburb of Paris some 20 kilometers southwest of the capital, is steeped in grandeur and regal history. Known worldwide for its opulent palace – the residence of French royalty, this small town offers much more than just its royal gates. Versailles is a living museum of French architecture and aristocratic life and is historically known for numerous treaties signed there,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles