Parterre d鈥橢au (Water Parterre), Versailles
The most amazing feature of Versailles is, of course, the numerous fountains, ponds and lakes, especially when you think that the water was pumped up from the Seine using ingenious 17th century technology. One of the most popular of these waterways is the Water Parterre.
The Parterre is a terrace between the Chateau and the gardens. It has two huge rectangular ponds 鈥� hence its name. Planning to lay it out started in 1672 and in 1674 Louis 14th ordered 24 statues to grace the terrace. The commission was known as the Grande Commande.
These statues were executed by various master sculptors and comprised the Four Seasons, the Four Continents, the Four Elements, the Four Humors of Man, the Four Poems and the Four Hours of the Day. Several other statues representing figures from mythology were also commissioned.
The statues are spread out in other gardens as the first plans for the terrace were scrapped in 1685 in favor of the Parterre you can visit today. The two ponds are decorated with figures in bronze representing rivers and their important tributaries.
The Seine and the Marne were created by Le Hongre, the Garonne and the Dordogne by Coysevox, the Loire and the Loiret by Regnaudin and the Rh么ne and the Sa么ne were by Tuby.
The water nymphs and groups of children were by Le Gros, Van Cl猫ve, Poultier and Lespingola.
The Parterre is a terrace between the Chateau and the gardens. It has two huge rectangular ponds 鈥� hence its name. Planning to lay it out started in 1672 and in 1674 Louis 14th ordered 24 statues to grace the terrace. The commission was known as the Grande Commande.
These statues were executed by various master sculptors and comprised the Four Seasons, the Four Continents, the Four Elements, the Four Humors of Man, the Four Poems and the Four Hours of the Day. Several other statues representing figures from mythology were also commissioned.
The statues are spread out in other gardens as the first plans for the terrace were scrapped in 1685 in favor of the Parterre you can visit today. The two ponds are decorated with figures in bronze representing rivers and their important tributaries.
The Seine and the Marne were created by Le Hongre, the Garonne and the Dordogne by Coysevox, the Loire and the Loiret by Regnaudin and the Rh么ne and the Sa么ne were by Tuby.
The water nymphs and groups of children were by Le Gros, Van Cl猫ve, Poultier and Lespingola.
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Parterre d鈥橢au (Water Parterre) on Map
Sight Name: Parterre d鈥橢au (Water Parterre)
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 鈥� known as 'groves' 鈥� were created by King Louis XIV鈥檚 chief landscape architect Andr茅 Le N么tre. 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 鈥� 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