French Landscape Garden Design

Louis V. Mills – February 20,2012

Inspired by Italian Renaissance Garden Designs of 15th Century

Early interest from Charles VII 1493, Louis XII 1498 and Francis1 in 1515

LOUIS XIV completely dominates power in the 17th Century France emerges from Hundred Years Wars in early 17th

Century Merged Italian idea of courtyard terraced garden to moated

chateau with view beyond Flat vs. hilly topography forces design change Bosques, Allees or Groves of trees planted to frame views

and give proportion to walks & paths French innovation: the moat, corner towers on castles,

candle-snuffer tops, highly pitched roofs with high dormers. Gardens highly modified landscapes to produce stunning

views from central palace.

French Garden Tradition

Charles VII Maria de Medici Cardinal Mazarin Nicolas Fouquet- Finance Minister Claude Mollet and Sons Jean Le Notre Andre Le Notre Louis XIV – Le Roi Soleil

Major French Garden Designers and Personalities

Tuileries Gardens and Bosque- Paris ◦ Broderie par terre- created by Catherine de Medici

Luxembourg Gardens 1615 (Paris)- Maria de Medici

Vaux-le-Vicomte 1656-1661 (between Paris and Fontainebleau- Fouquet and Andre Le Notre

Versailles- 1670-1715- Andre Le Notre/Louis XIV

Major French Gardens

Tuileries

Luxembourg Gardens 1615

Sponsor: Maria de Medici

Vaux-le-Vicomte 1656-1661

Versailles 1670-1715

Symbolic of Louis XIV , Le Roi Soleil Started out as hunting lodge, views from bedroom Basic plan is simple skeleton of two long sight lines;

one dominant Green carpet is view from sight lines- paths to right

unlike Vaux-le-Vicomte- unobstructive lawn view All emphasis of primary importance of king; to

stun, not impress Twenty acres of kitchen gardens, 3000 Orange trees,

5000 workers, 14,000 fountains, 1mile long canal x 300’ wide, unlimited budget

Much larger woods(Bosques) than Vaux-le Comte.

Versailles facts