Through the French-American Cultural Foundation’s partnership with the Palace of Versailles, we have been raising awareness and support for ongoing restoration projects at this exceptional heritage site.
We are excited to share the following updates for a couple of those projects.
Queen’s Grove
After two years of work, the Queen’s Grove is now open to the public. Created in 1776 especially for Queen Marie Antoinette, the Queen’s Grove is a unique creation in the gardens of Versailles. Its richness lies in its compositions of diverse plant life newly introduced to Europe, centered around the Virginia tulip poplar.
Patrons now have the opportunity to adopt a bench in the garden, giving visitors a place to rest and enjoy the sights and smells of the garden as it would have been enjoyed by Marie Antoinette.
Buffet d’eau Fountain and the Trianon Gardens
The Buffet d’eau Fountain is the major component of the Trianon gardens. Built in 1702 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the Buffet d’eau underwent several transformations or adaptations to please Louis XIV. It consists of three red- and white-toned marble bleachers, similar to the Grand Trianon pilasters and perfectly completing the harmony designed between the palace and its surroundings. The pond is topped with mythological lead figures that used to be gilded.
The last renovation of the Buffet d’eau dates back to 1897, and a global restoration of this monumental fountain is being planned for winter 2021 through spring 2023.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can make a tax-deductible contribution to support the Palace of Versailles, please contact Debra Dunn, Executive Director of the French-American Cultural Foundation, at ddunn@frenchamericancultural.org.