The Ballroom is the last grove that Le Nôtre laid out in the gardens. Work began in 1680 and was completed in 1685. The Grand Dauphin, son of Louis XIV, held a grand dinner for the inauguration. The grove is treated like a green amphitheatre. In the center of the arena, an islet surrounded by a two-level canal and accessible via four small bridges had been created. This islet, intended for dancing, was removed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart in 1707. Le Nôtre made skilful use of the steep incline created by the ramps of the Parterre de Latone to design a large waterfall – the only one in Versailles – which occupies the entire eastern side of the amphitheatre. This eight-step cascade is punctuated by marble ramps. The whole is decorated with millstone and shells, with large pedestal tables and gilded lead vases. The terraces for the spectators are accentuated by carved boxwood.

 

Morning:

From 10:30 am to 11:30 am (1 hour)

Afternoon (except on weekdays = no watering):

From 2:30 pm to 3:15 pm (45 min.)
and from 16h to 16h45 (45 mn)

 

→ In the event of a level 1 drought period, the Grandes Eaux Musicales schedules change to preserve water resources.

Morning:

From 11am to 11:30am (30 mins)

Afternoon:

From 2:30 pm to 3 pm (30 min.)
and from 16h15 to 16h45 (30mn)

 

→ In the event of a level 2 drought period, the Grandes Eaux Musicales schedules change to preserve water resources.

Morning:

From 11:05 am to 11:20 am (15 min)

Afternoon:

From 14:30 to 14:45 (15 min.)
and from 15h30 to 15h45 (15 mn)

 

André Campra-L’Europe galante

Jean-Jacques Rousseau-Le Devin du village

Jean-Baptiste Lully-Phaéton