Versailles - Loudon's Visit

‘ The principal work of Le Nôtre was at Versailles, which cost nearly 200 million francs… The grand effort of Le Nôtre at Versailles, having been so frequently described, and being so generally known, Mr Loudon considered that only a few opinions needed to be quoted.’ € This is a quote from The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan, Tom Turner (Kindle, 2024). 

John Claudius Loudon's Reflections on the Gardens of Versailles

It may be that Loudon thought quoting various opinions was part of a encyclopedist’s duty. He wrote that: 

‘The gardens of Versailles, the grand effort of Le Notre, have been so frequently described, and are so generally known, that we shall only quote one or two opinions concerning them. Hirschfield considers them not as models of taste, but as models of a particular class or character of gardens. Gray the poet was struck with their splendour when filled with company, and when the water-works were in full action. Lord Kaimes says they would tempt one to believe that nature was below the notice of a great monarch, and therefore monsters must be created for him as being more astonishing productions. Bradley says, "Versailles is the sum of everything that has been done in gardening." Agricola, a German author, declares (Phil. Treat. on Agr. Trans. by Bradley,) that the sight of Versailles gave him a foretaste of Paradise. Our opinion coincides with Gray's: "Such symmetry," as Lord Byron observes, "is not for solitude." During the Revolution, it was proposed that the palace and gardens should be sold as national property; but M. Le Roy, the architect, greatly to his honor, stepped forward and represented that the palace might be usefully employed for public purposes, and the garden rendered productive of food for the people. "This satisfied the citizens: a military school was established in the palace; and by planting some of the parterres with apple-trees, and others with potatoes, the garden was saved." Niell was informed, that by calculation the water-works of Versailles, which are not played off oftener than eight or ten times a-year, cost 2001. per hour. There is an orange-tree here "semé in 1421," and thirty feet high. (Hort. Tour, 409. et seq.)”’

 A Compendium of Viewpoints: Showcasing Diverse Perspectives

John Claudius Loudon's approach to Versailles deviated from the norm. Instead of offering a lengthy personal description, he curated a collection of opinions from various sources. This approach, possibly reflecting his encyclopedic goals, presents a multifaceted portrait of the palace and gardens. Loudon included quotes from figures like Hirschfield, who viewed Versailles as a specific style rather than an absolute model, and Gray, who admired its grandeur when bustling with people and waterworks in motion. By incorporating contrasting viewpoints, Loudon allows readers to form their own interpretations of this iconic landmark. This multifaceted exploration goes beyond mere description, enriching our understanding of Versailles and its historical significance.