24.6.13

Like a few centuries ago (2)...


After the musical tour (see previous post), you can finish the evening at Versailles by a visit to its gardens and awaiting the Musical Fountains Show, which starts at 9 pm, just walk around.


The evening when I was there the gardens were filled with people who later would attend a masquerade ball and this added of course a lot to the atmosphere.





So, at 9 pm, the water show starts.


The fountains are spouting water to the rhythm of music played by well hidden loudspeakers. Some fountains are of course more spectacular than others, like the Apollo one. (The “funny” trees you can see here and elsewhere in the park are by the  Italian artist Guiseppe Penone and are part of a temporary exhibition.)


Look at the different marble colours here.


This is supposed to represent one of the Greek Gigantes, Enceladus. Looking at his hair from the backside, I see the head of a lion.


Here are some of the other fountains.





Slowly the dark arrived…



… and at 11 pm the show finishes with fireworks. 


17 comments:

Starman said...

The fountains weren't working the only time we went to Versailles.

Parisbreakfasts said...

This is on my to-do list but Il'll hit the afternoon display
Looks fabulous!

Virginia said...

WELL, that was pretty fabulous Peter. That would certainly draw me outside of Paris! Your photos beg a second look. Marvelous post.
V

Vagabonde said...

Oh! Ah! Que c’est beau tout ça Peter!

Studio at the Farm said...

It looks like it was a glorious evening!

Olivier said...

c'est magnifique et magique, surtout avec les feux d'artifices.

Pierre BOYER said...

Magnifique...
Il faut que je découvre ça de mes propres yeux...

Pierre

Cezar and Léia said...

Your pictures are wonderful, what an amazing night event! The fountains are beautiful with all lights and you got motion in your compositions!
Thanks for sharing,
Léia

French Girl in Seattle said...

Bonjour Peter. The Sun King had impeccable (however extravagant) taste. C'est tout simplement grandiose! What luck to be in the gardens that evening with the "King's court..." Courtisans et courtisanes... Just like in the good old days. Thank you for sharing. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

Daryl said...

now i am thinking another visit is in order, thank you for sharing these

Amanda said...

I haven't been there in years, but it is still beautiful!

Synne said...

This is spectacular! I would be euphoric if I was there when the bubbles filled the air!

NickiH said...

I agree with all the comments before mine, that this post is especially beautiful, not only because of the serendipitous special event that included that scene-appropriate costumes, but because of the time of day which made your fountain photographs magical. I hope being there was just as magical. The grouping of fire work photos are also sensational. Breathtaking.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Peter for this beautiful journey to such a great past!

In some of these magnificent photos, it really looks like...back to the court of Versailles...

Maria

claude said...

C'est un endroit fabuleux. Quel spectacle, même seulement en photos c'est beau.

Jeanie said...

These photos are almost unbearably beautiful, Peter. Each and every one should be on the cover of a photo book (or sold for a hefty sum in the gift shop!)

The Sabbatical Chef said...

Wow! As always, your posts and photos are magnifique and make me wish I was strolling around with my camera, too...
Merci!