In 1666, building a fountain was not as easy as laying some pipes and turning on the tap – water was a scarce commodity in rural France and massive and expensive construction works were required to fulfill Louis’ dream of dancing water.
There are over 30 fountains at Versailles, the most famous being the Apollo fountain, with its horses pulling the god’s chariot, and the Neptune fountain featuring the god of the oceans with his wife, some dragons and a smattering of sea life. Neptune took over a century to complete and was therefore officially opened by the next generation, King Louis XV. Other fountains represent the four seasons: Saturn for winter, Flora for spring, Ceres for summer, and Bacchus for autumn.
During the weekends from April to October, the fountains run in full play to musical accompaniment. This Grandes Eaux fulfills Louis XIV’s ambitious dream of water at play, leading you through the expansive gardens and amazing you with the height of the jets and visionary scale of the themed fountains.
In July and August this water show also runs in the evenings with the fountains spectacularly lit. There are eight paths you can follow for different musical and visual experiences. The Sun King may finally have been satisfied.
Tours & Tickets
Skip the Line: Versailles Full-Day Tour
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palace of Versailles (Chateau de Versailles) and the Versailles Gardens (Jardins de Versailles) on a full-day tour. ... Read more
Location:
Versailles, France
Duration: 6 hours (approx.)
Viator VIP: Palace of Versailles Small-Group Tour with Private Viewing of the Royal Quarters
See the Palace of Versailles (Château de Versailles) as French kings once did – with this small-group tour that includes a once-in-a-lifetime private ... Read more
Location:
Paris, France
Duration: 7 hours (approx.)
Versailles Gardens Ticket: Summer Opening Fountains Show
Spend your day at the enchanting Gardens of Versailles and enjoy the must-see Versailles fountain shows. Noted in the UNESCO World Heritage list, these ... Read more
Location:
Versailles, France
Duration:
Varies
Versailles Gardens Ticket: Night Fountains Show
Experience Versailles Gardens (Jardins de Versailles) at night, when they are transformed by music and fountain displays. These grand performances are ... Read more
Location:
Versailles, France
Duration: 2 hours (approx.)
