Gardens and Park

From the terrace, water, clipped planting and long avenues seem to draw the landscape towards a single horizon. André Le Nôtre, Louis XIV’s gardener, developed this east–west view while also organising a second axis across it. Close to the palace, shallow pools reflect the sky. Farther away, the Grand Canal holds the view open across the park. The side alleys lead to groves, small garden enclosures with their own sculpture, fountains and histories. Some stages of their design survive from Louis XIV’s reign, while others were rebuilt or replaced later. Maintaining these shapes takes pruning, planting and repairs. The gardens have been replanted repeatedly, including after the storm of December 1999. The central-axis walk and seasonal grove visit offer two different ways to explore them.