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Versailles
The gardens of Versailles are considered the master-
piece of André Le Nôtre, who realized them betwe-
en 1661 and 1668: they are magnifi cent example of
“French garden”, and were a model for many Europe-
an Palaces. Le Nôtre created a great complex where
each element is subject to a strict discipline, which pur-
sues perspective effects and scenery. Order policy and
symmetry regulate the provision of ALLEES (avenues)
and PARTERRES (fl owerbeds), terraces, water pool,
fountains, organized in a system that goes to the ratio-
nalization of global landscape, in all perspective planes.
To get all of this it was necessary to have a ground with
some regularity, which is why Le Notre was forced to
modify the natural environment with heavy interventions.
Nevertheless he used some natural slope to create a
succession of terraces at various fl oors that were con-
nected or through stairways, or by long ramps. Le Nôtre
thought and realized the axial setting lengthwise with mi-
nor cross paths. It is facing the triumph of Art over Na-
ture in the precise processing of geometrical shapes,
which must bend trees and hedges; the fl owers, in their
colours, depending on the season, placed with a pre-
cise aim for colours. Water, natural element, assumes a
primary importance placed on decorative mirror pools,
creating an extension of architectures and landscapes
and amazing fountains.
