Everyone needs a place in nature, where one may recover one’s senses and restore equilibrium.  The Bourbon royalty were no different from the rest of us, in that regard.  After taking in the Great Chateau, and all its opulence, I also needed some time in nature.

So, here are some scenes of the King’s Grove, the Queen’s Grove, the Dauphin’s Grove, and bosques set aside for just about anyone who lived at the Chateau.  Just outside the Chateau, there are small, well-manicured gardens and a great fountain, en route to the Ballustrade which itself overlooks Les Bois Royaux.

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Here is a long view of Allee Royale:

Once I made my way down the stairs, and into the King’s and Dauphin’s Groves, I found myself in the company of several school children, engaged in a fabulous game of Hide and Seek, in the Dauphin’s Labyrinth. To me, one of the great tragedies of the French Revolution was that no one gave thought to the three children of Louis and Marie Antoinette. They died in childhood, in prisons, and the Labyrinth sat silent. Thankfully, it was not silent on Tuesday, June 3.

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Those who ventured forth saw scenes such as these:

   

     

     

Eventually, I made my way back to more manicured scenes, near the Queen’s Grove, and the restoration area- not the Restoration of the Bourbons, but that of the forest.

   

   

I walked on down to the Grand Canal’s edge, and enjoyed Les Parterres, L’Orangerie, and their water-borne sculptures, including  the Apollo Fountain,

and Bassin de Latone (Latona Fountain).

Here is a final nod to the man who got this all started.

At this point of decision, I elected to forego Les Trianons (Marie Antoinette’s private estate) and spend some time in the city of Versailles. That marvelous counterpart to the Palace will be featured next.