Bosquets of the gardens Gardens of Versailles

plan of labyrinth perrault s description

labyrinthe - bosquet de la reine

in 1665, andré le nôtre planned maze of unadorned paths in area south of latona fountain near orangerie. (loach, 1985) in 1669, charles perrault – author of mother goose stories – advised louis xiv remodel labyrinthe in such way serve dauphin s education (perrault, 1669). between 1672 , 1677, le nôtre redesigned labyrinthe feature thirty-nine fountains depicted stories aesop s fables. sculptors jean-baptiste tuby, Étienne le hongre, pierre le gros, , brothers gaspard , balthazard marsy worked on these thirty-nine fountains each of accompanied plaque on fable printed, verse written isaac de benserade; these plaques, louis xiv s son learned read. once completed in 1677, labyrinthe contained thirty-nine fountains 333 painted metal animal sculptures. water elaborate waterworks conveyed seine machine de marly. labyrinthe contained fourteen water-wheels driving 253 pumps, of worked @ distance of three-quarters of mile. citing repair , maintenance costs, louis xvi ordered labyrinthe demolished in 1778. in place, arboretum of exotic trees planted english-styled garden. rechristened bosquet de la reine, in part of garden episode of affair of diamond necklace, compromised marie-antoinette, transpired in 1785 (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; perrault 1669; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

bosquet de la montagne d eau - bosquet de l Étoile
designed andré le nôtre in 1661 salle de verdure, bosquet contained path encircling central pentagonal area. in 1671, bosquet enlarged more elaborate system of paths served enhance new central water feature, fountain resembled mountain, hence bosquets new name: bosquet de la montagne d’eau. bosquet remodeled in 1704 @ time rechristened bosquet de l’Étoile (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

bosquet du marais - bosquet du chêne vert – bosquet des bains d’apollon – grotte des bains d’apollon
created in 1670, bosquet contained central rectangular pool surrounded turf border. edging pool metal reeds concealed numerous jets water; swan had water jetting beak occupied each corner. center of pool featured iron tree painted tin leaves sprouted water branches. because of tree, bosquet known bosquet du chêne vert. in 1705, bosquet destroyed in order allow creation of bosquet des bains d’apollon, created house statues had once stood in grotte de thétys. during reign of louis xvi, hubert robert remodeled bosquet, creating cave-like setting marsy statues. bosquet renamed grotte des bains d apollon (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

Île du roi - miroir d eau - jardin du roi
designed in 1671 2 separate water features, larger – Île du roi – contained island formed focal point of system of elaborate fountains. Île du roi separated miroir d eau causeway featured twenty-four water jets. in 1684, island removed , total number of water jets in bosquet reduced. year 1704 witnessed major renovation of bosquet @ time causeway remodeled , of water jets removed. century later, in 1817, louis xviii ordered Île du roi , miroir d’eau remodeled english-style garden. @ time, bosquet rechristened jardin du roi (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

salle des festins - salle du conseil - bosquet de l obélisque
in 1671, andré le nôtre conceived bosquet – christened salle des festins , later called salle du conseil – featured quatrefoil island surrounded channel contained fifty water jets. each lobe of island contained simple fountain; access island obtained 2 swing bridges. beyond channel , placed @ cardinal points within bosquet 4 additional fountains. under direction of jules hardouin-mansart, bosquet remodeled in 1706. central island replaced large basin raised on 5 steps, surrounded canal. central fountain contained 230 jets that, when in play, formed obelisk – hence new name bosquet de l obélisque (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

bosquet du théâtre d eau - bosquet du rond-vert
central feature of bosquet, designed le nôtre between 1671–1674, auditorium/theater sided 3 tiers of turf seating faced stage decorated 4 fountains alternating 3 radiating cascades. between 1680 , louis xiv’s death in 1715, there near-constant rearranging of statues decorated bosquet. in 1709, bosquet rearranged addition of fontaine de l’Île aux enfants. part of replantation of gardens ordered louis xvi during winter of 1774-1775, bosquet du théâtre d eau destroyed , replaced unadorned bosquet du rond-vert (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985). bosquet du théâtre d eau being recreated in 2014, south korean businessman , photographer yoo byung-eun being sole patron, donating €1.4 million (~us$1.9 million) project.

bosquet des trois fontaines (berceau d eau)
situated west of allée des marmousets , replacing short-lived berceau d eau (a long , narrow bosquet created in 1671 featured water bower made numerous jets of water), enlarged bosquet transformed le nôtre in 1677 series of 3 linked rooms. each room contained number of fountains played special effects. fountains survived modifications louis xiv ordered other fountains in gardens in 18th century , subsequently spared during 1774-1775 replantation of gardens. in 1830, bosquet replanted @ time fountains suppressed. due storm damage in park in 1990 , again in 1999, bosquet des trois fontaines restored , reinaugurated on 12 june 2004 (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

bosquet de l arc de triomphe
originally, bosquet planned in 1672 simple pavillon d eau – round open expanse square fountain in center. in 1676, bosquet, located east of allée des marmousets , forming pendant bosquet des trois fontaines, enlarged , redecorated along political lines alluded french military victories on spain , austria, @ time triumphal arch added – hence name. bosquet des trois fontaines, bosquet survived modifications of 18th century, replanted in 1830 @ time fountains removed. of 2008, bosquet in process of being restored (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

bosquet de la renommée—bosquet des dômes
built in 1675, bosquet de la renommée featured fountain statue of fame – hence name of bosquet. relocation of statues grotte de thétys in 1684, bosquet remodeled accommodate statues , fame fountain removed. @ time bosquet rechristened bosquet des bains d apollon. part of reorganization of garden ordered louis xiv in part of 18th century, apollo grouping moved once again site of bosquet du marais – located near latona fountain – destroyed , replaced new bosquet des bains d apollon. statues installed on marble plinths water issued; , each statue grouping protected intricately carved , gilded baldachin. old bosquet des bains d apollon renamed bosquet des dômes due 2 domed pavilions built in bosquet (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

bosquet de l encélade
created in 1675 @ same time bosquet de la renommée, fountain of bosquet depicts enceladus, fallen titan condemned live below mt. etna, being consumed volcanic lava. conception, fountain conceived allegory of louis xiv s victory on fronde. in 1678, octagonal ring of turf , 8 rocaille fountains surrounding central fountain added. these additions removed in 1708. when in play, fountain has tallest jet of fountains in gardens of versailles – 25 metres (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

bosquet des sources - la colonnade
designed simple unadorned salle de verdure le nôtre in 1678, landscape architect enhanced , incorporated existing stream create bosquet featured rivulets twisted among 9 islets. in 1684, jules hardouin-mansart redesigned bosquet constructing circular arched double peristyle. colonnade, renamed, featured thirty-two arches , thirty-one fountains – single jet of water splashed basin center under arch. in 1704, 3 additional entrances colonnade added, reduced number of fountains thirty-one twenty-eight. statue occupies center of colonnade – abduction of persephone – (from grande commande of 1664) set in place in 1696 (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

galerie d eau - galerie des antiques - salle des marronniers
occupying site of galerie d eau (1678), galerie des antiques designed in 1680 house collection of antique statues , copes of antique statues acquired académie de france in rome. surrounding central area paved colored stone, channel decorated twenty statues on plinths each separated 3 jets of water. galerie remodeled in 1704 when statues transferred marly , bosquet replanted horse chestnut trees (aesculus hippocastanum) – hence current name salle des marronniers (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

salle de bal
located west of parterre du midi , south of latona fountain, bosquet, designed le nôtre , built between 1681–1683, features semi-circular cascade forms backdrop salle de verdure. interspersed gilt lead torchères, supported candelabra illumination, salle de bal inaugurated in 1683 louis xiv s son, grand dauphin, dance party. salle de bal remodeled in 1707 when central island removed , additional entrance added (marie 1968, 1972, 1976, 1984; thompson 2006; verlet 1985).

views of bosquets











































































































































modern views of gardens of versailles