Grand Canal and Latona Basin
2004 © Maxim Tabachnik
Temple of Love
Gardens of VersaillesLatona Fountain and Grand CanalGrand Canal and Latona Basin
Louis XV in the Salon de MercureApotheosis of HerculesThe Pilgrims at EmmausCandelabras, Hall of MirrorsWar RoomFountain of AmphitritePetting Goats at the Hameau de la ReineMax with Gary at Court of HonourColumn of the Temple of GloryMarie Antoinette’s BedMax at the Orangerie TerraceMarble CourtyardThe Orangerie and Swiss LakeMarlborough Tower and DairyRustic RetreatRiver God with ChildMom at the Hall of MirrorsParterre de l’OrangerieKing’s State BedThe Meal at the House of SimonAstronomical ClockQueen’s Bedchamber Canopy and AlcoveRoom of MarsAlley of the MusesStatue of Louis XIVCottage in Marie Antoinette’s HamletGalerie des BataillesLuis and JJ at the Cour d’HonneurLouis XIV on HorsebackLouis XIV as Roman EmperorParterre of the OrangeryMax, Luis, and JJ at Latona FountainApollo in His ChariotLuis and JJ in the Allée des Deux-TrianonsMercury Presenting the Arts to ApolloQueens of France in the Grand CouvertCarp in the Grand Canal

Grand Canal and Latona BasinAndré Le Nôtre

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The Grand Canal and the Latona Basin (1668–70) form the principal axis of the gardens, extending a straight line of water and terraces toward the horizon. The Latona Basin, dedicated to the myth of Latona pleading for her children, rises in tiered marble basins surrounded by figures transforming into frogs for defying the goddess. This mythic centerpiece reinforces Louis XIV’s vision of geometric order and divine legitimacy spread across the landscape.