Editions Belin - Fiche article : Versailles

An illustrated study covering an era of about thirty years, beginning when Louis XIV began to reign alone and ending in the 1690's. During this period, whole generations of sculptors, under the direction of Le Brun and then Mansart, took up the unprecedented challenge of ornementing the vast grounds. The works they produced went beyond the accepted formulae of their art and, despite wide-ranging inspiration, come together to embody the unique style of Versailles.

Jean-François Carric has been a constant visitor to Versailles for over twenty years. His love of the gardens and the statues shines through his photography as does that special light which makes the statues come to live.

Maurice Béjart has been fascinated by Louis XIV and Versailles since his childhood. In June 2000, he created two ballets there : Enfant-Roi (The Child King) at the Opéra Royal, and La Lumière des Eaux (Light of the Waters) at the Bassin de Neptune.