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Enceladus Fountain

The Enceladus Fountain in the park of Versailles is named after a giant from Greek mythology and was built around 1676 as a decorative fountain feature. Seen from the palace, it lies to the right of the main path, the Kings’ Alley, near the Great Canal. At its center, the defeated giant tries to rise from a mass of boulders. On days with major water displays, a jet of water can burst from his mouth to a height of about 25 meters.

Enceladus Fountain showing a golden muscular figure rising from dark rocks in a greenish pool, with an arched trellis and greenery behind.
The Enceladus Fountain features a golden figure emerging from rocks in a pool, set against a trellised archway and garden greenery.
July 2008 © Szilas · CC0
The Enceladus Fountain shows a golden reclining figure emerging from dark rocks in a formal garden pond.
The Enceladus Fountain in the gardens of Versailles, with a gilded figure rising from rocks in the center of a circular pond.
November 2012 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Enceladus Fountain with a golden statue rising from dark rocks as water jets spray around it.
The Enceladus Fountain at Versailles, with powerful water jets surrounding the central gilded figure.
July 2020 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Enceladus Fountain rising from a dark pool of water with a stone figure among the rocks and a plume of water behind it
The Enceladus Fountain at Versailles, shown with the sculpted figure surrounded by rocks and water.
© · Public domain
Enceladus Fountain sculpture of a golden bearded figure emerging from dark rocks in a garden setting.
The Enceladus Fountain shows a golden figure struggling amid a rocky mound in the gardens of Versailles.
April 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleEnceladus Fountain
Typefountain
Alternative nameFountain of Enceladus

Historical context

Date of creationc. 1676
Named aftera giant from Greek mythology
Original design contextpart of a bosquet (grove) designed by André Le Nôtre

Creator

Later modificationmodified and simplified by Jules Hardouin-Mansart

History and restoration

Restoration characterizationspectacular but costly to maintain
Louis XVI intervention referencedreplanting undertaken by Louis XVI in 1774-1776
Preferred restoration reference statethe late 18th-century state, corresponding to the replanting carried out by Louis XVI in 1774-1776
Historical states involved in the restoration decision17th, 18th, 19th, and 21st centuries
Restoration contextrestoration of the Gardens of Versailles requested by Jean-Pierre Babelon, director of the domain, after a storm
Restoration resultrestored to its original state
Restoration directionunder the direction of Pierre-André Lablaude, chief architect of historic monuments
Restoration date1998
Reason for modificationLe Nôtre's decoration was considered outdated and expensive to maintain
Date of modificationin the 1700s

Physical characteristics

Depictionthe defeated giant trying to rise up from among boulders
Water featureduring large water displays, a jet about 25 meters high can spray from the mouth

Location and ownership

LocationGardens of Versailles, Park of Versailles Palace, France, on the right side of the main path (King's Avenue) as seen from the palace, near the Grand Canal