Royal Way and Great Lawn

The grass forms a long clear band between rows of trees, sculpture and vases. Known as the Royal Way or Great Lawn, this part of the garden was widened by André Le Nôtre, Louis XIV’s gardener. The paths on either side let you move through the same view that looks so compressed from the palace terrace. At the upper end stand casts of two sculpture groups by Pierre Puget, a sculptor admired by Louis XIV. Their originals, Milo of Croton and Perseus and Andromeda, are in the Louvre. Continue looking along the avenue and Apollo’s fountain becomes a distinct pool in front of the larger stretch of water beyond it.