Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Grandes Eaux, Versailles

Wandering Around The Cottage - September 2014 Edition -  2


So when I left you in my last post, I was in the gardens surrounding the palace of Versailles, it was already 10:30 pm and it was really time for me to go back to get ready for the wedding I was attending in the early afternoon.


Quand vous m'avez laissée à la fin de mon dernier article, j'étais dans les jardins de Versailles, il était déjà 10h30 et il était grand temps pour moi de partir me préparer pour être prête en début d'après-midi pour le mariage auquel j'étais venue assister.


But it was a Saturday... And on Saturdays, at 11 am, some of the fountains are activated... I've already seen it several times and it's just an amazing show... I couldn't not share it with you... So, of course, I stayed, thinking I would figure a way to be on time later.


Mais on était un samedi et le samedi, à 11h, certaines des fontaines de Versailles sont mises en eau. J'ai déjà vu ce spectacle un bon nombre de fois, mais je ne m'en lasse pas et je me suis dit qu'il était égoïste de ne pas vous en faire profiter. Allez, juste un petit moment, je trouverai toujours une astuce pour être prête pour le mariage dans les temps!


 There were lots of people by that time around the fountains, so some pictures aren't straight because I had to take them in a hurry in order not to  annoy people around me.


Il y avait déjà beaucoup de monde à cette heure-là dans le parc et j'ai parfois dû prendre les photos à la va-vite... Le cadrage n'est pas toujours au top.


There are 55 fountains in the garden and I'm only showing you some of them, but hopefully you'll get an idea of how grand it makes the park when they are activated.


Il y a 55 fontaines dans le jardin et je ne peux vous en offrir qu'un aperçu, mais j'espère que cela vous donnera une idée de la majesté du parc lors de ce que l'on appelle les grandes eaux.


The 55 fountains work thanks to 620 sprays (could anyone tell me the correct word? thank you very much - it's just not a word I use every day) and 35 km (about 22 miles) of piping. 


Les fontaines fonctionnent grâce à 620 jets d'eau et 35 km de canalisation.


Finding the amount of water necessary was already a problem during Louis XIV's reign. The fountains were only activated one at a time when the king arrived in that part of the garden.


Faire venir la quantité d'eau colossale nécessaire au fonctionnement des fontaines était déjà un problème du temps de Louis XIV et chaque fontaine n'était mise en marche qu'au fur et à mesure de l'avancée de la promenade du roi et de la cour.


 One of my favourite bosquet was the Encelade one. It's surrounded by trellises so it looks like a secret garden.


Ce matin-là, un de mes bosquet préféré a été celui de l'Encelade. Entouré de treillages, il ressemble à un jardin secret.


In the center is an amazing sculpture depicting Enceladus, a fallen Titan who was  comdemned to live under Mount Etna. 


Au milieu, une sculpture étonnante représente Encelade, un titan déchu condamné à vivre sous l'Etna.


This fountain has the highest jet of all the Versailles fountains. It's very impressive.


Cette fontaine est très impressionnante car elle a le jet le plus haut de toutes les fontaines de Versailles. 


Here I need to make a confession. I did not cry at the wedding... because I'm not that kind of person. But I did shed a few tears in Versailles gardens, because I'm that kind of person... I'll let you figure what kind of person that makes me because I have no clue.

Je n'ai pas pleuré pendant le mariage, ce n'est pas mon genre... Mais j'ai bien sangloté à Versailles, parce que je suis comme ça!

Anyway, at the Mirror bosquet, an amazing show was happening... The fountain dates back from Louis XIV and so does the music, but the show was made by contemporary artists. It was so beautiful that I tried to make a little video for you... When I uploaded it, YouTube sent me a message to tell me the video was shaky... Well, that's because beauty makes me cry... Hope you can still enjoy it!

Toujours est-il que j'ai fait une petite vidéo du spectacle du bassin du miroir, réalisé par des artistes contemporains en utilisant la musique de l'époque de Louis XIV et les possibilités offertes par cette fontaine. Quand j'ai mis la vidéo sur YouTube pour pouvoir vous la montrer, j'ai reçu un message du site qui me prévenait que ma vidéo tremblait un peu... Bah oui, la beauté, ça me fait pleurer! J'espère que vous pourrez quand même apprécier le spectacle.


So yes, I had only 12 minutes to get ready for the wedding: I decided ironing the dress was necessary, but not putting make up on... And I don't regret a thing!

Alors oui, je n'ai eu finalement que 12 minutes pour me préparer pour le mariage: la robe a été repassé mais le maquillage est resté dans la trousse... Et je ne regrette rien!

I hope you can explain the bride it was all so you could enjoy the fountain show!

De toute façon, je mets tout sur votre dos: c'était pour que vous puissiez voir les fontaines!



See you soon,

A bientôt,


PS1: I'm really trying to find time to write for the blog, but most evening, time is nowhere to be found... If you see him, please send him to the Cottage.

J'essaie vraiment de trouver le temps d'écrire pour le blog, mais presque tous les soirs, ce fameux temps est introuvable. Si vous mettez la main dessus, envoyez-le moi!

PS2: Please don't be mad at me if I comment less than usual on your blogs, the reason is the same as above...

PS3: I'm partying!


Dwellings-the Heart of You Home            Travel Photo Monday         Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth       

         

27 comments:

  1. LOL you and your tears are killing me! so funny! I know exactly what you mean though. I never used to cry at weddings until I was in an unhappy marriage and then I always cried. Now I'm back to not crying - go figure! ;)

    xoxox

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  2. I so enjoyed this post, and I hope the bride did not mind you taking the time to take us through the gardens - Love the trellises.

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  3. I love the video, shaky or not! THANK YOU SO MUCH MAGALI!!!! This trip was worth taking and how I wish to visit this place and see al the wonderful things here. :-)

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  4. Your little video made me smile. I also never cry at weddings, although I used to. I suspect the things that touch your heart are what make you cry. Thank you for sharing these lovely gardens and fountains.

    Jocelyn @ http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

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  5. Thank you so much for sharing those lovely gardens and fountains. So glad that you had a marvelous at the wedding.
    Mary

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  6. Bein, c'est qu'il est tombé à l'eau ton prince sur son beau destrier, si si sur la quatrième photo.
    C'est drôlement beau quand même. Je ne vois pas ta vidéo trembler.
    Bisous bisous. Babette

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  7. SOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL! You should work for the tourism department because I really want to go there!

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  8. Je regarde tes photos depuis mon téléphone élégant ce qui n'est pas l idéal pour Versailles, mais je voyage léger. J'apprécie néanmoins ce rappel versaillais et ce treillage oublié. Merci. ♡

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  9. Those fountains are amazing and your photos are so beautiful!!

    -andi

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  10. There is a beautiful fully arced rainbow across the shooting streams of water. If you missed it watch the video again. Absolutely spectacular. I understand why you cried.

    Leslie

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    Replies
    1. I noticed the rainbow while I was filming and hoped t would show on the video. I was so glad it was there!

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  11. I want 55 fountains in my yard. I would even settle for one! What a beautiful place.

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  12. grrr. I had written my comment and then it disappeared. let's see if i can summarize. Gorgeous. It's good to be the King of France. Hope you had a wonderful time at the wedding and Versailles. My girls are back in school and I'd forgotten how difficult 1st grade (the 6 year olds) French school is...on me. ;)

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  13. Incredible fountains!! Thanks for including the video, I had no idea!!!

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    1. You're welcome! I'm glad you discovered something new about Versailles.

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  14. I am so glad you stayed for the fountains...they are breath taking! Just beautiful...:) I would have cried at both, so what kind of person does that make me? A big cry baby...lol! I know what you mean about time....it seems as though all I do in the evenings is school work! Have a wonderful Friday and weekend...Vicky

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  15. What an amazing post! I have only been to Versailles once, and that was 33 years ago. Your photos are spectacular and you really captured the essence of the gardens and fountains. I felt transported back in time. Thanks for such a beautiful pictorial journey.

    Dana

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    1. Thank you very much! I hope it didn't hurt too much to walk all the gardens in your pretty silk shoes... maybe the king noticed you?

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  16. I love fountains and those are beautiful.
    There used to be a dancing waters show years ago behind the Disneyland hotel in Anaheim, CA and it was fantabulous!

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  17. wEDDINGs are wonderful occasions
    and a perfect time to have tears of joy.
    Your pics are amazing.
    Loving the fountains
    and the facade of the Palace.
    Lovely post.

    http://roomsofinspiration.blogspot.com/

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  18. Amazing, Magali! I would love to visit Versailles one day. Your video is splendid, thank you for taking the time to film it. I love how the sprays created rainbows, and the music was wonderful. xxx ~ Nancy

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  19. Eh bien oui, les fontaines de Versailles sont magnifiques... et magiques... et sanglotantes aussi ! Quel chance, il avait Louis XIV de pouvoir les admirer quand il en avait envie !

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  20. I truly enjoyed your photos, especially the close up of the cupid with the spray coming down in front. I am sure the bride didn't mind at all. Here's wishing you the time to everything that you enjoy. (I at times feel that I get too busy blogging/commenting and not enough time living the life that I blog about.)

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    Replies
    1. I run after time every second! But I guess it's better than to be bored!

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  21. Wow, those pictures were amazing. I can't imagine really being there! Thank you for taking us with you! It is probably the only time I will ever visit France (sniff, sniff)...

    Thank you also for sharing this on the Art of Home-Making Mondays! :)

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