France: Versailles - The Gardens by Night
During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes), every fountain has lighting specially designed for it. The Grand Canal mirrors the sunset in the background, while gas flames perform a ballet on baroque music. Splendid fireworks form the final chord. As if the Sun King himself throws a garden party!
Less expensive is the Musical Fountain Show - Grandes Eaux Musicales - during the afternoon, when the fountains of the Palace Gardens come to life too, but without music and light. Don't miss it, since Versailles without working fountains is like a nightingale without voice.
Latona fountain, Palace Gardens, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11078] Soap bubbles, the Latona Fountain shining in backlight, baroque music and a sunset in line with the Grand Canal - the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) in the palace gardens of Versailles couldn't have a more fairy tale start. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Latona fountain and Grand Canal, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11080] The Latona Fountain shining in the backlight of the sun setting behind the Grand Canal - it's the opening chord of the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) . Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Latona and Neptune fountains in front of the Grand Canal, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11082] The Latona and Neptune Fountains shining in the backlight of the sun setting behind the Grand Canal during the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) . Photo Paul Smit.
Latona and Neptune fountains and Grand Canal, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11083] The Latona and Neptune Fountains shining in the backlight of the sun setting behind the Grand Canal - it's the opening chord of the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes). Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Castor and Pollux, Palace Gardens, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11086] The Palace Gardens of Versailles contain 372 sculptures. You can find "Castor and Pollux" near the Latona Fountain. It dates from between 1685 and 1712 and is sculpted by Antoine Coysevox. Photo Paul Smit.
Latona fountain during Fountains Night Show, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11088] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain has other light effects. At the Latona Fountain it is as if the water has become itself light. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Latona fountain during Fountains Night Show, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11091] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain comes to life in a balanced lighting. The Grand Canal mirrors the sky in the background. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Latona fountain during Fountains Night Show, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11093] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain comes to life in a balanced lighting. The Grand Canal mirrors the sky in the background. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Latona fountain during Fountains Night Show, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11094] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain comes to life in a balanced lighting. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Frogs at the Latona fountain, Palace Gardens, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11096] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain comes to life in a balanced lighting. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the Latona Fountain tells the story of Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The initial sculptures were made by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670. The arrangement of the fountain was changed and finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Fireworks at the Fountains Night Show, Palace Gardens, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11099] The final chord of the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) is a splendid fireworks. The water jets of the Apollo Fountain, in the background, dance with the fountains of light. Photo Paul Smit.
Frogs at the Latona fountain, Palace Gardens, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11098] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain comes to life in a balanced lighting. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the Latona Fountain tells the story of Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The initial sculptures were made by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670. The arrangement of the fountain was changed and finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Fireworks at the Fountains Night Show, Palace Gardens, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11102] The final chord of the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) is a splendid fireworks. The water jets of the Apollo Fountain, in the background, dance with the fountains of light. Photo Paul Smit.
Latona fountain, Palace Gardens, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11078] Soap bubbles, the Latona Fountain shining in backlight, baroque music and a sunset in line with the Grand Canal - the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) in the palace gardens of Versailles couldn't have a more fairy tale start. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Latona fountain and Grand Canal, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11081] The Latona Fountain shining in the backlight of the sun setting behind the Grand Canal, while flames dance above the lawn - it's the opening chord of the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes). Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Fire ballet in front of the Palace of Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11084] Impressive is the ballet of gas flames, perfectly choreographed with the baroque music, during the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) . Photo Paul Smit.
Fire ballet in front of the Palace of Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11085] Impressive is the ballet of gas flames, perfectly choreographed with the baroque music, during the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) . Photo Paul Smit.
Latona fountain during Fountains Night Show, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11087] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain has other light effects. At the Latona Fountain it is as if the water has become itself light. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Latona fountain during Fountains Night Show, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11089] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain has other light effects. At the Latona Fountain it is as if the water has become itself light. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia. Photo Paul Smit.
Latona fountain during Fountains Night Show, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11090] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain comes to life in a balanced lighting. The Grand Canal mirrors the sky in the background. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Latona fountain during Fountains Night Show, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11092] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain comes to life in a balanced lighting. The Grand Canal mirrors the sky in the background, while gas flames perform a ballet on baroque music. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the fountain shows Latona (sculpted by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670), mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The arrangement of the fountain was finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Frogs at the Latona fountain, Palace Gardens, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11095] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain comes to life in a balanced lighting. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the Latona Fountain tells the story of Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The initial sculptures were made by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670. The arrangement of the fountain was changed and finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Frogs at the Latona fountain, Palace Gardens, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11097] During the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) every single fountain comes to life in a balanced lighting. Inspired by Ovid’s Metamorphoses, the Latona Fountain tells the story of Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana, protecting her children against the insults of the peasants of Lycia and calling on Jupiter to avenge them. He heard her plea and transformed them into frogs and lizards. The initial sculptures were made by Gaspard and Bathasar Marsy in 1670. The arrangement of the fountain was changed and finished by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1689. Photo Paul Smit.
Fireworks at the Fountains Night Show, Palace Gardens, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11100] The final chord of the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) is a splendid fireworks. The water jets of the Apollo Fountain, in the background, dance with the fountains of light. Photo Paul Smit.
Fireworks at the Fountains Night Show, Palace Gardens, Versailles.
[FRANCE.ILEDEFRANCE 11101] The final chord of the Fountains Night Show (Grands Eaux Nocturnes) is a splendid fireworks. The water jets of the Apollo Fountain, in the background, dance with the fountains of light. Photo Paul Smit.
