What is Neptune Fountain?
The '''Neptune Fountain''' or the '''Fountain of Neptune''' (Fr: ''Bassin de Neptune'') is a [[fountain]] at the [[Palace of Versailles]]. It was built under the direction of [[landscape]] [[designer]] [[André Le Nôtre]] between 1679 and 1681. At that time, it was called the Pool Below the Dragon or the Fir Tree Pool. The Fountain is at the end of the long [[Footpath|path]] that features the [[Water Walk]] and the [[Dragon Fountain]]. Jacques-Ange Gabriel reworked the pool area very slightly, and, in 1740, the [[lead]] [[sculpture]]s were put in place. The new fountain was [[official]]ly opened by King [[Louis XV of France]]. The fountain has 99 jets of water.<ref>[http://en.chateauversailles.fr/explore-the-estate/the-garden/the-copses/the-fountains Versailles: The Fountains]</ref> People admired the force and variety of the jets of water playing over the sculptural groups. The fountain is decorated with stone vases, sea [[cupid]]s, and three central sculpted groups depicting ''Neptune and Amphitrite'' by L. A. Adam, ''Proteus'' by Bouchardin, and ''Ocean'' by Jean-Baptise Lemoyne. The Neptune Fountain is the largest of all the fountain pools in the gardens of Versailles. [[Fireworks]] during the summer months create spectacular displays that are [[reflection|reflect]]ed in the fountain's large pool. == Gallery == <gallery> File:Versailles-Les Eaux Musicales-Bassin de Neptune-1.jpg|Neptune Fountain File:Bassin de Neptune - Parc du Château de Versailles - 11 mars 2011 - P1050672-P1050675.jpg|Neptune Fountain File:Eugène Atget - Versailles, Basin de Neptune - 1963.1004.jpg|Neptune Fountain File:Eugène Atget - Versailles, Basin de Neptune - 1963.942.jpg|Neptune Fountain File:Parc de Versailles, bassin de Neptune, vue générale.jpg|Panorama </gallery> == Notes == {{Reflist}} == References == * Constans, Claire. 1995. ''Versailles'' Éditions Mahé S.A. page 88. * [http://www.viator.com/Versailles-attractions/Bassin-de-Neptune/d763-a2585 Viator: Bassin de Neptune] [[Category:Fountains of Versailles]]