Gardens of Versailles
Grand Canal
With a length of 1,500 metres and a width of 62 metres, the "Grand Canal", which was built between 1668 and 1671, physically and visually prolongs the east-west axis to the walls of the "Grand Parc". During the "Ancien Régime", the "Grand Canal" served as a venue for boating parties. In 1674, as a result of a series of diplomatic arrangements that benefited Louis XIV, the king ordered the construction of "Petite Venise" – Little Venice. Located at the junction of the "Grand Canal" and the junction of the northern transversal branch, Little Venice housed the caravels and yachts that were received from The Netherlands and the gondolas and gondoliers received as gifts from the Doge of Venice, hence the name (Marie 1968; Nolhac 1901, 1925; Thompson 2006; Verlet 1985).
Venice Canal Historic District
A neighborhood group was formed by a few residents of the canals in 1977 called the Venice Canals Resident and Homeowners organization to establish an assessment district to restore the canals. This organization name was shorten to The Venice Canals Association in 1983. The VCA obtain signatures of 77% of the property owners to form an assessment district and have the Venice Canals Restore or rehabilitated. The VCA submitted to the City, and as a result the City Engineers began to design a new canal improvement plan to bring back to the community. This plan was designed by Los Angeles City Engineer Luis Ganajas. Luis Ganajas was a bridge engineer. He later is credited with the street improvement project for Santa Monica Blvd. from the 405 Freeway to Beverly Hills.