The Orangerie and Swiss Lake

The Orangerie and Swiss LakeJules Hardouin-Mansart

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Viewed from above, the Orangerie (c. 1684) unfolds with its precise rows of citrus trees and palm-lined paths, extending toward the Grand Lac (Swiss Lake) beyond. This sunken garden showcased Louis XIV’s mastery over nature. The lake and greenery anchor the palace’s symmetry in serene grandeur.